PhxPhin

Just released the schedule for 2011 They rebranded all the teams (keeping the names, but updated logos and some shuffling) as well as rebranded the league The surprise team will move to the new d'backs facility and will keep their name ... so they are the Salt River Rafters One of the peoria teams is moving to surprise Florida is aligned to Surprise this year - which is awesome for me ..... Surprise Saguaros - other teams aligned are Atl, KC, TB & Tex Unfortunately only 2 night games within reach (1 @ surprise, 1 @ peoria ..... 3 night games at Scottsdale and another @ Salt River ... blech) 4 weekend games that are within reach ... so that's not to bad ... plus they are keeping the rising stars game in Surprise Billy Gardner from the Rays organization will be the manager

I'm still trying to figure out exactly what Wes brings to the team I think that he thinks he's here because of veteran leadership - clubhouse mentor, etc He really doesn't play that much, he really isn't productive when he does, etc. I think that is why he feels the need to speak to the media and be "the voice of wisdom" - the problem is he sucks at that as well The press is going to go to him because he will give a soundbyte He's always going to respond because he thinks that is what he is there for and thinks he's good at it (after all they do keep bringing him back) However, he has zero timing - zero understanding of personalities and zero credibility You need to be able to have those traits if you want to manage/lead Using this quote as an example I'm almost 100% confident he stated more as a commentary about the job that Jack is doing and using Hanleys improved performance as a benchmark of what Jack is doing - he then couldn't help himself from rambling about Hanley a little bit in trying to get specific, taking a shot, realizing it, then swinging the other way. Here's the thing - it's known that Hanley may have a little more difficult personality, his mental approach isn't all world .... so when things are going well, let it alone in the public ...... don't create a distraction when one isn't needed ....... instead emphasize with Hanley the things that he is doing right that is leading to this success and try to get him to focus on being more consistent with those things and start to buy into other areas that need improving as well .... find what will motivate him and work towards that How hard would it of been to say something like "Jack & Hanley are developing a good relationship and it's showing in Hanley's results. It's no coincidence that he's playing his best ball of the season at the same time he's fine tuned his approach to defense, his approach to the plate and being more engaged with the rest of the guys. I was talking with Joe West and he even noticed that there is a bond developing there and it's paying dividends. If this relationship continues to develop and Hanley continues to execute what Jack is teaching he can be a sure fire hall of famer" However, he decided to fail as a mouthpiece. He can't relate to the players what made him a success, because he wasn't. He can't set the tone by providing a good at bat or a good approach. He can't pass down defensive pointers, positioning tips, etc. I really don't see his value at all.

Can I just say that for the record a decent month in June and this team is a playoff contender sitting along the Braves for 2nd place in the division and a chancing playoff spot. 1-14 in one run games in june .............. if they even went 5-10 that would give them a record of 51-45 ....... still 6 games out of the WC, but with a lot of games against the Braves remaining to pick up a game at a time and they would be in the make things interesting pack with AZ, Milwaukee & St. Louis (although honestly they all probably have better shots at their division than at the WC) They may still be able to make things interesting if they can keep this up and handle the padres, nationals & mets - putting together a run similar to what the diamondbacks and twins have done this year ..... that could then add a little drama to the braves series to end the month

Do the cardinals play any exhibitions at home at the end of spring training? .... they could be the choice as a 1 game series because of proximity .... sharing the ST facility with the marlins real close to Miami .... let them hang out an extra couple days, open up with a 1 game stint and then go along their way

Yeah - I think Miami & TB are the only 2 ML cities that haven't hosted it yet .... I could see NY getting it with 2 new stadiums there and maybe a morale bump to the mets ....... I would imagine that Miami would be fairly soon though, maybe a couple years to get all the kinks out of the stadium and organize how everything would work .... but Miami is definitely a place that has the ability to host big events .... definitely was nice to have it out here this year

I'm embarassed to say I fell asleep during the game. Did Sanchez get in the game and if so, what did he do?? Had a pretty short AB and was subbed into the DH position, so no field time .......... I counted 5 other people that I saw/were shown in the stadium with Marlins stuff on, however gaby actually had some decent cheering going for him .... much more than the quiet indifference I was expecting Looks like he had a good experience though

he says he puts up 500 pounds .... i'm assuming that is a cumulative total from the # of times he has to push himself up from the toilet after another night of getting sloppy drunk

so dumb ... they had 3 balls already ... on the local news webpage they have the whole sequence .... shame they are giving this clownshoe any coverage, especially since it gives him and his buddies more time to talk about how much they benchpress........

they kept an AL v NL scoreboard at the stadium ... this thing got pretty lopsided .... fielders picks were awful ... although I don't disagree that kemp deserved to be there, he just didn't perform (like bautista) .... 3 of the AL players hit more home runs individually than the NL hitters did cumulatively not sure if it came through the broadcast well or not, but there was a "we want upton" chant through most of weeks time up there .... he was brutal though I don't think prince understood that this is a show for the fans - many of whom are paying really good cash to be there ..... he made bad picks and heard about it Overall a fun events - it's just as long in person as it is on TV .... although the added bonus was very little berman (was nervous when he did the introduction for the evening that the stadium would be hooked up to his mic ...... although daron sutton was pretty brutal, I didn't have to listen to a single "back, back, back") Cano was crushing them and I'm glad he ended up taking it .... best show and won the thing ..... the final round had the stadium buzzing, although there were stretches where it was pretty quiet For a minute I was second guessing my decision to bypass seats in the RF bleachers as they were showered all evening with balls, t-shirts, etc ......... however, our seats worked out great and my nephews had a blast - standing for 2-3 hours and getting knocked around in the bleachers wouldn't of been fun for them

I thought the concept of players picking was kind of neat .... until it happened Maybe switch it up to something like this MLB picks 2 - they are captains who can then pick 2 Then fan vote for the final 2

sure - it may of been a bit scary seeing that lead disappear ..... but this team knew what they were doing ... they needed to end that 1 run game dryspell so now that stretch is over, june is over, they won a series and we can all move forward towards july

I have a better chance of winning an internet message board argument than the marlins winning a 1 run game

would make sense - those two stadiums are right next to each other - although I doubt the combined attendence between the two would be that much more than what they get for a seahawks game just think of this as an opportunity to play a home game in a city where there is a threat of rain in a stadium with a retractable roof and amazing views ..... an appetizer for 2012

maybe his twittering is why he's batting under a buck eighty with RISP............

yeah, I saw the lead expecting to point and laugh at nyjer - but it was a bad call an he handled himself pretty well .... good time for his coaches to stand up for him

yeah Jammers!

hopefully this clears his head a little bit .... when he came up his approach was so solid, especially for someone so young now it seems like he is in his own head between what he should be producing, the type of hits he should be getting, etc I really wish this team had a steady veteran who actually played at a high level everyday to help out some of these kids ........ remove the emotions, remove the thinking, see the ball & hit the ball, it's a long season that isn't going to be made in a single pitch or at bat i think it's a pretty big symptom amongst the entire team and there is no one steadying it out but hey, at least wes helms is there..........

silver lining is that anibal is proving to be a cold blooded stopper out there ..... the lone bright spot over the last 20 games (good god it just looks bad to talk about 20 game struggles............)

anyone remember the good ol' days of this season when the marlins just went out and lost 1 run games in incredibly frustrating fashion .... they sure fixed that up

strike zone - we don't need to hit no stinking strike zone!

woot! - rally time

i'd put in the sign for a drag bunt attempt..............

maybe duke will be rusty after sitting on the bench so long and tired from his HR trot............

i have my commute home and was looking forward to listening the game before grabbing dinner and watching the rest of it on TV - which is a nice treat blech to that i saw keep ricky in there until he hits 115 pitches .... which at this rate may not buy the bullpen more than another inning...........

So who of the position players could pitch? I say we try and play Boni at every pos tonight. might at well - would need to be a little extra creative one of the innings ..... do they make the tools of ignorance that small?!