anotherrealfan

Coghlan is representing the Marlins. His job is to sign autographs, not to promote his religious beliefs. It would be equally ridiculous if he wrote some quote about evolution being true and intelligent design being false. As the fan with the signed baseball, do you have the right to demand he redo it? No, not really. But religion is not an appropriate topic for a member of a baseball team at FanFest to broach with a stranger, whether it be in conversation or an autograph. Why is it wrong? I don't see it as proselytizing. Obviously, that bible verse is very important to HIM, and it's part of his autograph. If people don't like it...don't ask for his autograph. He has the right to sign however he likes. Why is this such an issue-because it is religion. If abortion, pro or con, was "very important to him" then would you want him to sign his name and follow it by "ban baby killers". I think that would be a starting point. How would management view that. How would you view that-depending on your point of view, especially if you only expected his name on your ball. I have commented on this and then not responded to even a personal attacks on me for an objective view. If I don't want his sig with a biblical reference, you are right, just don't ask for it-BUT-at a fan fest there are certain expectations and if I am unaware that his baseball signature will have it, then your comment is wrong. That is the point. His beliefs are respected but people did not know that to get his sig comes with a condition. I still do not think that a parent should have to expect that their 5 year child will get anything other than a baseball signature without religious promotion. That is NOT the correct thing to do. Respectfully, he may ask if the person would be ok if puts in a bible reference rather than just doing it. It is mutual respect. As to the remark that I probably don't agree with him and that is why I am against it, that person who wrote it misses the point and always will. I do not even know what the scripture says and I may fully agree with it. But I do not have to read it to have the opinion I have. The point is that many people fully agree with him as to his beliefs , but at the same time would not agree with him using the fanfest to express those views,especially if it was unexpected. That is all this is about. It is not denying one his right to his religious beliefs.

The animation says it all.

Well he did play a significant role in my favourite Marlins win of 2009... That sunday game against the cubs is the only game I have not erased from my recorded dvd's. I just enjoy watching it so much, still get goose bumps. Even that saturday night game the day before was great, even though we lost.

Samson backtracked when pressed by Le Batard. He said that Uggla will be with the Marlins, but if Fredi wants to play him at 3rd, then people will call him a liar. So, he clarified that Uggla will be on the team but not necessarily at 2nd base.

Listening to Le Batard, he indicates that the rumblings about this happening have been known but kept quiet. The basic understanding is that the Marlins will be forced to spend more on players rather than saying it is used for marketing, player development etc., which MLB and the union basically have discredited as a unwarranted excuse.

There are just so many ways to disect this article, from either position, pro Loria or anti. I used to be upset over the lack of spending and my perception that the Marlins are raking in revenue instead of spending. I also believe that is still true up to a point. There is a cutoff as to what should be spent on players and just spending for the sake of spending. I view some of the contracts being offered by other teams as ridiculous and give credit to not being raked over by agents. But I do look at the article and read into it that the Marlins owe some promises to MLB that will need to be made good, and from a fan perspective, I think that is good news.

Ken Rosenthal made some predictions today on the remaining Free Agents, and he thinks Chapman will sign with the Marlins. Here's his explanation: Aroldis Chapman — I’m starting to think that one of the low-revenue clubs might get him as his price rises beyond the comfort level of big spenders such as the Yankees and Red Sox. I know, I know — the above sentence makes little sense. But the Yankees and Red Sox, in the newest phase of their blood rivalry, want efficient players at efficient prices; as if the rest of baseball will forget that they’re both stinkin’ rich. Chapman is a hard-throwing left-hander, but he was not an efficient pitcher in Cuba, averaging 5.6 walks per nine innings in his last four seasons. Given the intense competition to sign him, he also will not come at an efficient price. Prediction: Marlins. The full article can be found here This pick by Rosenthal is very confusing. Intense competition usually means the price is driven up-so how does that mean the Marlins get him?

I think Stark is missing a lot of information that prevents his case from being convincing. For example, he is making accusations (indirectly) but he provides no accounting information for other operating expenses outside of team payroll. He likely doesn't have access to this, nor should he. It seems like he's supeficially assuming that the team is handed $80 M from the league, earns several million in ticket sales, pays out $30-$40 million for talent and pockets the rest. The Marlins have to fund an entire minor league system, pay Dolphin Stadium rent, airfare, hotels, etc. This in itself is probably in the tens of millions of dollars. This is a pretty bad accounting exercise. It's the same reason why those yearly Forbes studies for the "most profitable" franchises is nonsense. Well if he wanted to do actual reporting he could request an audited report. Anyone can call and ask for an audited report. Also, to support Marlins if you do not know about accounting it is hard to justify what you are saying. Would this be possible before Sarbanes-Oxley? Possibly and only then. I am sure any of Deloitte, PwC, E&Y or KPMG are doing their personal books and would not risk the backlash to help out Loria. None of the Big4 want to end up like Arthur Andersen. Like stated earlier, retaining some of those earnings is possible, but unless they are a consolidated/affiliated group they are paying ridiculous high taxes for retained earnings that are higher than the allowable threshold. edit: Spike, figured if you didn't know SOX you could read up on it. So I added the link : http://www.gpo.gov:80/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-107publ204/html/PLAW-107publ204.htm So many experts. Sure, for a private company like the Marlins, just call up their auditors and ask for a copy of the financials. OK, who is in line for a lawsuit for releasing confidential client information. End of that theory. Maybe you think you can call the IRS and get a copy of the tax audit-NO. Next, as I have read, the Marlins are a partnership and Loria is the "managing partner". Guess what, there is no tax on partnerships, only the partners based on the partnership agreement as to the method of allocation of taxable income, assuming there is partnership income. If there is a loss, the partners then report the loss based on the agreement, not even necessarily on their proportionate ownership interest. Whether they "retain" the earnings in the business or distribute it to the partners does not matter for tax purposes. Thus, the statement about "riduculously high taxes" is totally false in the context of a partnership. Companies have to release their audited reports done by the auditee of their accounting firm. You cannot call the IRS and ask for their audit. And as for the retained earning tax... read up on Accumulated Earnings... http://www.irs.gov/publications/p542/ar02.html And if they are an LLC, LLLC, LLP, LLLP etc... they cannot just whip out retained earnings because of allocation. Read the Anderson v. Anderson case (required that whoever received the retained earnings had to claim that source of income---So if he did that would be obvious that he was pocketing any money in excess of ordinary salary) Other than a few people, we are about to put everyone to sleep. Your reference to publication 542 is specific to corporations-again, contrary to the matter about partnerships. And of course, if Loria was taking distributions that were in excess of what was called for in the partnership agreement, then he would have an issue. I was not really discussing anything to do with a partner violating his fiduciary responsibility, simply indicating that there is no tax at the partnership level for retaining the earnings, as was implied. There is no excess retained earnings tax in a partnership-you can accumulate all the earnings you want if whatever amount without ever spending it, at least for tax purposes. The other partners may want to see some cash if it is available, especially since they are taxed on the earnings even if they do not get it. Semantically, there is no such thing as "retained earnings" in a partnership either, that is a corporate term. The code deals with it specifically for corporations.

I think Stark is missing a lot of information that prevents his case from being convincing. For example, he is making accusations (indirectly) but he provides no accounting information for other operating expenses outside of team payroll. He likely doesn't have access to this, nor should he. It seems like he's supeficially assuming that the team is handed $80 M from the league, earns several million in ticket sales, pays out $30-$40 million for talent and pockets the rest. The Marlins have to fund an entire minor league system, pay Dolphin Stadium rent, airfare, hotels, etc. This in itself is probably in the tens of millions of dollars. This is a pretty bad accounting exercise. It's the same reason why those yearly Forbes studies for the "most profitable" franchises is nonsense. Well if he wanted to do actual reporting he could request an audited report. Anyone can call and ask for an audited report. Also, to support Marlins if you do not know about accounting it is hard to justify what you are saying. Would this be possible before Sarbanes-Oxley? Possibly and only then. I am sure any of Deloitte, PwC, E&Y or KPMG are doing their personal books and would not risk the backlash to help out Loria. None of the Big4 want to end up like Arthur Andersen. Like stated earlier, retaining some of those earnings is possible, but unless they are a consolidated/affiliated group they are paying ridiculous high taxes for retained earnings that are higher than the allowable threshold. edit: Spike, figured if you didn't know SOX you could read up on it. So I added the link : http://www.gpo.gov:80/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-107publ204/html/PLAW-107publ204.htm So many experts. Sure, for a private company like the Marlins, just call up their auditors and ask for a copy of the financials. OK, who is in line for a lawsuit for releasing confidential client information. End of that theory. Maybe you think you can call the IRS and get a copy of the tax audit-NO. Next, as I have read, the Marlins are a partnership and Loria is the "managing partner". Guess what, there is no tax on partnerships, only the partners based on the partnership agreement as to the method of allocation of taxable income, assuming there is partnership income. If there is a loss, the partners then report the loss based on the agreement, not even necessarily on their proportionate ownership interest. Whether they "retain" the earnings in the business or distribute it to the partners does not matter for tax purposes. Thus, the statement about "riduculously high taxes" is totally false in the context of a partnership.

Because baseball is such a great sport. You can enjoy it with your kids from the time they are small and continue through a lifetime, sharing good and bad times. You enjoy it even more by going to the games and feeling more than just a customer of a business, but a part of the team, the atmosphere. You can feel the excitement when your hometown team succeeds or the players achieve something (like Cogs ROY). It becomes part of your life and you miss it when the season ends. And all those fans who brainwash their kids to be a fan of some team in an distant city, just because that is where Dad comes from, and won't go to many games, is just not taking advantage of the benefit that so few cities have and that we do and will have for many years to come. Anything else?

At least this means there won't be any more idiots who say Hermida is worthless. I wonder who the scapegoat will be now? Anyone who continually watches 2-0 fastballs right down the middle but will always swing at the next 2 pitches in the dirt.

Of course, little David fueled the rumors just a bit. Ah the public face of the FO. Actually, he fueled it by not commenting. Probably company policy. "Don't comment on rumors." Actually he fueled it by commenting. Instead of just saying "we do not discuss rumors" he went on, when asked about the rumors, about how Jeffrey is very dissappointed and that he feels we should have made the playoffs and not happy about certain decisions and on and on and on. He fueled it, and he seemed to relish putting Fredi out there in the wind.

Of course, little David fueled the rumors just a bit. Ah the public face of the FO.

Maybe Loria has his reasons for wanting Fredi out-assuming the rumors are true. But for me to believe it is because Loria feels that Fredi was given all the tools to make the playoffs and just failed is delusional. As Samson implied there were games we should have won but did not, well, there were games we should not have won but did-so who gets the credit. And to think that every game you pulled out of your hat, well, you deserve to win those games and then expect that every game you lose that you may have led late in the game you should have won-well, back to being delusional. (And Loria, it is ok to wear something other than a striped shirt once in a while. Firing Fredi was the last thing I thought would happen this offseason. Even for those who do not like his style, I doubt too many people saw this. Who knows, maybe Fredi was already in a deal to take over for Cox (although this would be tampering)and Loria will just jump the gun. Well, let the fun begin.

Even last wednesday, 31000 people means 45000 empty orange seats for ESPN to make fun of. Live with it until 2012.

i never knew he was only 34. he looks like he's at least 40. do you think he's lying about his age like tejada did?? I though he was 20 in 97, making him 32. But the answer about his age is that who can be sure? No one has ever been certain about his half brother El Duque-it ranges significantly.

Great game. SIT BONI Down start Wes Helms. Lol...at shortstop??? Cantu at Short Stop Wes at 3rd. SERIOUSLY?! Cantu at Short, Wes at 3rd, and Jerry Mathers as the Beaver! Definitely showing your age.

I can't say that I blame him. Don't get me wrong, I know very well the reasons why we don't draw well right now, but it has to be somewhat depressing for the players to come out and play in front of a few thousand people in a huge stadium every night. Heck, sometimes it is depressing to be in that environment as a fan. As a player, I'd imagine that it would be more fun to play in front of 40,000 every game. Must be why he did so well in Boston, those sellouts night after night must have motivated him to the point that he was so bad he was released. Really, Brad has had some nice years (and one really good year), but for his overall stuff, he has underachieved big time.

My mistake, I thought he was buried in the time capsule last weekend at the stadium site

Good news we got rid of Ayala, but if only we never gave him a 2nd chance with his performance the other night, we may have been in a much better position. Ayala, interesting. Everyone was estactic when we got him about a month ago, and I couldn't understand why......there was a good reason he was available so easily that time of the year. I mean if he couldn't make it on the "Natonals" (chuckle) what makes you think Ayala was going to make a difference for the playoff run ? That's not particularly true. I remember a lot of people (including myself) that didn't want him. True I take back "everyone", but replace it with "many of you were estatic". Better Rabbethan ? Maybe. How about " a few people, maybe Cantu and Amezaga" but more of us felt we liked Ayala-WHEN HE CAME IN TO PITCH AGAINST US. And if his pathetic performance wasn't bad enough, he bad mouthed the organization upon hearing of his release as if it was unfair. He of the 11.74 ERA post all star game. Addition by subtraction. Goodbye.

Anibal had some control issues and it was a day game to boot. Series wins will do it (despite what was said) we just can't have many series losses. We need a couple of sweeps in there, but we have some chances on the schedule. Remember, in 2003, our record at 126 games played was 69-57 (same) and we were in a scrum with 6-7 teams and behind Philly for the Wild Card and during the following couple of days even Montreal passed us. This team is only 67-70 right now, and was 67-59 before yesterday, so I think you're a bit off there. Wow @ the 2003 team that team lost 8 of 9 right around now before going 21-8 in the final 29 games and taking the WC. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/schedule?team=fla&season=2003 Fortunately, while we were losing, I think the phils lost like 9 out of 10 or we would have been done for regardless oof the finish. Just shows, you need some breaks from other teams. I have faith the Rockies will finally cool off-when a team is hot, it seems they will never lose-but then poof-ice cold. Maybe this weekend-Giants sweep, we sweep, then we are only one out of WC.

I thought the cash for clunkers program was over.

Well, to add to the batting experts here, me included, I have felt watching Jeremy that he is swinging with a lot of arms and has a bad weight shift. But, guaranteed, if he is having this problem, it has been seen by the coaching staff. Tough to make big corrections to a swing during the season.

Just got this from my marlin rep in the daily notes. Sorry no link. It was an email. TRANSACTIONS: Last night, the Marlins placed INF Nick Johnson on the 15-day Disabled List with a strained right hamstring. Today, Florida recalled OF Brett Carroll from triple-A New Orleans.