Marlins Way: Giancarlo Stanton still the talk of the baseball world

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Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; National League outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) of the Miami Marlins reacts as he bats in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Giancarlo Stanton has been all over baseball news this first week of Spring Training, for various reasons. I guess after you sign the longest and most lucrative contract in the history of North American sports, some attention might be expected. There’s also the fact that Stanton had his face blown up by a baseball last September, in what was one of the more frightening sports moments I can recall (hockey player Clint Malarchuck bleeding all over the ice after having his carotid artery severed during a 1989 hockey game is up there, too.)

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The start of Spring Training marks Stanton’s first on-field action since the horrific injury. It also marks the debut of his custom face-guarded batting helmet. And now, Stanton’s painted body is featured on the cover of this week’s Sports Illustrated.

Yes, Giancarlo Stanton has ascended to the realm of celebrity status. Miami’s right fielder is living the dream, and making more money along the way than any of us could ever humanly fathom. That’s something Marlins fans aren’t too familiar with. But get used to it. The franchise might be enjoying its most widely popular — dare I say, famous — player to ever wear a Marlins uniform (or have one painted on his abdomen). And the best part is he will be around for a very long time.

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Next: Stanton 'angered' by contract offer from Marlins

Nov 19, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton listens during a press conference at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Why Giancarlo Stanton was actually ‘angered’ by record $325 million contract offer from Marlins

Cork Gaines, Business Insider

Giancarlo Stanton and the Miami Marlins shocked the sports world when the two sides agreed to the largest contract in the history of North American sports, a 13-year, $325 million deal signed in November.

To many, the move was surprising because the Marlins are not one of the elite high-revenue teams in MLB. In addition, the move came just three months after Stanton had suggested that he would not sign a long-term extension with the team because of their notorious history of cutting payrolls and gutting the team of talented players, saying “five months [of winning] doesn’t change five years.”

But $325 million has a way of changing a player’s mind and the move was one the Marlins had to make for their dwindling fan base and as an investment in their next local television contract which is expected to be negotiated in the next year or so. Click here for full article.

Next: Yankees Editorial: Martin Prado is Yankees loss, Miami's Gain

Aug 22, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Martin Prado (right) and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) react after Prado hit a walkoff single in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees defeated the White Sox 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Yankees Editorial: Martin Prado is Yankees loss, Miami’s Gain

Michael Cambria, Yanks Go Yard

Martin Prado is the kind of player everyone wants to have around their clubhouse. He is the rare five-tool ballplayer every team dreams of having in their lineup each and every day.

Though the tenure was short, Martin Prado sure did earn his pinstripes with the New York Yankees. He became a team leader, and just when he figured to be the every day second basemen for the Yankees in 2015, he was traded to the Miami Marlins for the wildly inconsistent right-handed flamethrower Nathan Eovaldi in December because the Yankees were in dire need of starting pitching.

The Marlins, behind superstar Giancarlo Stanton and the newly acquired Martin Prado are certainly on their way to success in 2015, while the Yankees are trying to find a way to avoid a third straight year of no baseball in October. Click here for full article.

Next: Loss of eight games makes notable difference for Miami Marlins

Oct 22, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; MLB newly elected commissioner Rob Manfred speaks at a press conference before game two of the 2014 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Loss of eight games makes notable difference for Miami Marlins

Mark Laming, Fish Stripes

Rob Manfred has only been commissioner of Major League Baseball for one month but he has already set his sights on changing the game to appeal to a younger audience. Just recently Manfred has instituted new pace of play rules for the 2015 season. And just this week, Manfred expressed interest in shortening the season to 154 games, eight games less then the traditional 162 games. In 1961 after the American League instituted a 162 game schedule, one year later the National League followed suit and ever since 1962 there have been 162 Regular Season Major League games played. In a statement to ESPN, Manfred expressed interest in a 154 game schedule saying it was not off the table for the season to be shortened. Click here for full article.

Next: Stanton prefers to watch on first day with live pitching

Feb 18, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Giancarlo Stanton (27) in spring training action at Roger Dean Stadium Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Stanton prefers to watch on first day with live pitching

Nate Taylor, Sun Sentinel

Giancarlo Stanton stepped into the batter’s box, just as he has done for the past five years at the start of spring training.

On Thursday, several cameras and fans focused on Stanton as he raised his black bat. Behind the batter’s cage was manager Mike Redmond, who was ready to watch his every move.

Across from Stanton and on the mound was his teammate, pitcher Henderson Alvarez. With a calm approach and in his usual stance, Stanton, the Marlins’ star slugger, faced live pitching for the first time in five months. Alvarez threw fastballs, changeups and the occasional breaking ball.

Stanton never swung his bat. Click here for full article.

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Next: Stanton on the cover of Sports Illustrated

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