HawkFan

I was wondering, last year I remember there was a clearance store in the stadium somewhere down the 1st base side. When we went down for the Rockies series last month, the store no longer had older, discount Marlins merchandise. Does anyone know if they moved any of this to another location? I remember they had quite a lot, and I seemed to be the only one buying anything, so I kind of doubt they sold it all. Thanks!

I know I'm echoing the sentiments of previous posters but, way too many key players are still missing. Relievers- dennis cook, felix heredia, matt mantei to name a few. Also because of the relative age of people on the board, the voting is very 2003-2008 heavy. For example, Patt Rapp had the most wins in the early years and should receive some consideration. Also, if the vote is just looking at their time as marlins, CJ has to be placed over pudge. Which is exactly why you and I appear to be the only ones who voted for the Ragin' Cajun. My top 5 were Brown, Beckett, Leiter, Dempster (because he was our our ace for so many of those late 90's/early 2000 teams and was a strikeout fiend) and Rapp (best starter through their first 5 yrs or so as you pointed out). But I wouldn't expect this knowledge from anyone less than someone who has the Marlins' all-time Uilityman as part of their nick. As much as I like Fredo, he can't hold a candle to John.

If history is any indicator, they will win the WS in '09 because they win the WS every 6 years.

I believe I heard Samson say on the Lebatard show tonight that it would be next week following the supposed final Supreme Court ruling which should in turn lead to Judge Cohen's final ruling.

While no one ever agrees w/ this sort of ranking, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, I find it funny that the majority of the players that are leading this poll in their respective positions were on the most recent WS team. I suppose w/ newer fans they only know recent history because they didn't witness the earlier years. For example, while Pudge's leadership was vital and undeniable to the '03 Championship, there's no way a 1 yr rental who hit only 16 hrs on the down-side of his prime beats out our franchise's first draft pick; CJ won a Gold Glove as a rookie, then proceeded to win 3 more straight. Aside from being a native son, he threw out nearly 44% of base sealers while wearing teal pinstripes. While Pudge gets CJ in terms of avg and RBI's, CJ had 2 seasons w/ more Jacks. Finally, CJ was just as important to the 97 WS championship squad. Juan Pierre, Derek Lee I can understand though I didn't vote for them (while JP was the superior hitter and fielder, as good as we was on the basepaths for the fish, there's no way he held a candle to Chuckie in that regard; two straight years w/ 70+ SB's, winning the Lou Brock award as a rookie!). But Harvey getting less votes than Borowski and even Lindstrom? Miggy's offensive numbers were monster, but because of only 2 full yrs at third, substandard defense and poor attitude elevates Lowell above him, in my opinion. And somehow I can't stomache "Nipples" (Burnett) getting more votes than Leiter and nearly making it into the top 5. What would be interesting is to make two teams, one w/ the best players from the first and last 8 seasons (93-2000, 2001-08), and see how they matchup. Both time periods are failry similar, containing WS championships and fire sales, success and failure.

He's eligible for arbitration, but should still be an affordable option, provides more consistent bat in the offense than Jake. It's dead horse material, but the ideal situation is to trade Jake for some quality bullpen arms, move Cantu to first and see what Dallas can do.

Don't know if anyone saw this or not, but Mrs. Treanor will be a contestant on Dancing w/ the Stars beinginning in Sept. Just wondering what schenanegains the team will put Matt through (I think they plastered the clubhouse full of this picture after her first match a couple of weeks ago...

Rocco has a lot of injuries, but he is a great guy. Idk if he is a starting OF'er anymore, but bring him in if its cheap enough sure. He has had injuries in the past, but that's not what's most concerning: that's the mitochondrial disease he has where his body can't store up energy reserves, that's why he was getting so fatigued and cramped after light workouts. I do know he's on medication and is feeling well enough to paly again, but that kidn of thing...doesn't go way, it follows you. If that happesn to him at the Trop where it's a nice air-conditioned 70 degrees inside, imagine what'll happen in S. FL where there's 100% humdiity and 90-100 degrees.

how did kotsay do as a marlin? .276. But he was a contact/situational hitter, which is in complete contrast w/ this current team. In addition, he lead the league in Outfield assists his first two years. Hard worker, quiet leader. Helluva nice guy. I definitely would like to see him back, he would definitely be an upgrade over Hermida right now offesnively and defensively (not so sure about Hammer, bc as far as I know, he's never played LF). I just have concerns if he has he ability to play on a reguar basis bc of back troubles. We nee consistency in the lineup more thann anything, and if he couldn't provide that, I'm not so sure it's worth shaking up the team.

if we were interested, I'd think we'd have just put a claim on him instead. We're just playing what-if here but he does have that limited no-trade and when signed his contract it was with a west coast team, he being a west coast guy. Florida was probably the last he wanted to be traded to. In a previous contract he has a million dollar kicker if traded - plus Wren probably would want someone back. Could be multiple needs at work. Could also be there is no interest on the Marlins' part. Could be a lot of things. All we can do is tune in tomorrow... While he is from CA, Mark really enjoyed playing here 10 yrs ago, and personally he's one of my favorite all-time Fish. He always did a good job in the outfield, and his hitting finally caught up w/ his potential. I'm always for alumni returnng as long as they fill a need on the team. Do we need another lefty? Do we need another outfielder who's had back injuries? Not so sure..

Because they were FLORIDA'S first major league team. After 70 years or so of other people's teams having Spring Training, we finally had a team to call our own. Then, when my favorite player (pretty easy to guess who that is) signed in 95 and I was hooked.

The term "franchise player" is generally used to describe the player that you use to build your franchise around because he is the most talented. I liked Conine but he was always like 6th or 7th best player on the team. I would disagree with that. To me, a franchise player is someone who when you think of a franchise, you think of that player. They are synomonous, one and the same. Whether they were the most talented, best-stats-ever kind of guy (Miggy) or the long-term, reliable and constant performer (Niner) it doesn't matter...it's just who best exemplifies a team's identity. While Miggy's contributions to the 03 Series team and subsequent years offensively are undeniable, his sloppy defense and lazy attitude (not to mention bulging waistline) do not (when the Marlins have been known throught their history, excluding this year, as situational/contact hitters, strong pitching and defense). 4.5 yrs of service also don't fit the long-term definition in my book. Niner, on the other hand, while never delivering jaw-dropping offensive numbers, was far from a defensive liability (wish Miggy could say the same). He was active in the South FL community and great with the fans...honestly I don't think Miggy fits that bill, either. And Niner was a clubhouse leader...clubhouse leaders don't fail to runout groundballs or show up late to the ballpark right before the game starts. Besides, Nioner has his All-Star Game MVP to how many awards for Miggy? In the end, we have to look at the top 3 on this espn list and realize two things: 1) this was a nation-wide poll on espn, not just of Marlins fans and 2) all 3 players are recent players from the 03. So, the non-Marlins fans who voted (wish they had a stat on votes of Fish fans vs non-Fish fans) were going based on recent memory, not looking at the whoel franchise. That's why these kind of votes are always skewed to more recent history. Of course, Niner's my first choice (as is many based on the Fan's Choice bobblehead vote), but of those 3, I would put Mike Lowell ahead of the others simply based on longevity, defense, fan intereaction/community service and leadership.

Not that I'm necessarily endorsing bringing him back, everyone's talking about him playing outfield and such, but everyone seems to forget he played 3b with Milwaukee, Sand Diego and us his first year in teal. Say what you will, he was one of the best all-time Marlins, in my opinion, and I think he honestly enjoyed his time in S. FL. And I think his fiery temper and outgoing personality is sorely needed on this team right now, as no one seems to be willing to step up and be vocal (most of the manager), taking this team to task for the lazy mistakes they're making. I guess in the end I am endorsing bringing him back. It's be great to see Cantu at first and McPhearson/Sheff platooning at third. By the way, he was indeed placed on waivers today. That would be the shittiest sh*t since sh*t came to sh*t town. I love Sheff, I used to wear a Chef's had to the games, but he's done, he can't even DH any more. Considering that you are eager to see Pinto go, I figure you just didn't know anything about him other than his tenure with us 11 years ago. Yes, I am that eager to get rid of Pinto. He might be leading the NL in holds, but his 2-3 record and 3.4 ERA are unacceptable in my opinion for a middle reliever, especially our main lefty most of the season. He's given up key hits/runs that have lead to more losses than his record suggests, in my opinion. And as far as Sheff, I am aware of his declining production, which is why I didn't suggest that he be a full-time starter (or play the outfield). However, he still has incredible bat speed even if it has slowed down from his former self, and that does lead to some homerun and extra base potential. If the Tigers pick up the remainder of his contract and we don't give away the moon, I think this is the kind of a move that wakes this team up. Everyone's talking about chemistry and such, and how sheff would disrupt that. However, there's no fire with these guys right now. On a day where both the Phillioes and Mets lose, we can't close the deal with this chemistry. That chemsitry has yielded a 12-12 record since the All-star break, no consistent offense and no significant win streaks all season. I honestly try to stay positive and all, but we're wasting chances. At a certain point, we need to shrug off the over-acheiving tag and play like contenders...I just don't see that happening with the current configuration.

Not that I'm necessarily endorsing bringing him back, everyone's talking about him playing outfield and such, but everyone seems to forget he played 3b with Milwaukee, Sand Diego and us his first year in teal. Say what you will, he was one of the best all-time Marlins, in my opinion, and I think he honestly enjoyed his time in S. FL. And I think his fiery temper and outgoing personality is sorely needed on this team right now, as no one seems to be willing to step up and be vocal (most of the manager), taking this team to task for the lazy mistakes they're making. I guess in the end I am endorsing bringing him back. It's be great to see Cantu at first and McPhearson/Sheff platooning at third. By the way, he was indeed placed on waivers today.

From my understanding, the Tigers wanted Lindstrom for Pudge and we refused to deal him. If that's the case, they are gunna want the same thing and we are not gunna give it to them. Sheff is too old and will ruin team chemistry. I don't see any upside in getting him. Nah, Pudge is way better than Sheffield. They might still want a reliever, but not one as good as Lindstrom. How about Pinto? I'd PAY the Tigers to take him.

That being said I still have my teal hat with the black brim on display in my house LOL. (on the brim is written in marker "Florida Marlins '97 world champions" with the exact date and time we scored the winning run below. Ahhh staying up late during Senior Year to watch the Marlins win the series......priceless. All in all id give the uni's an 8/10. I love the Miami on the road jersey and the font is top notch. And I thought I was the only one who did that! I remember falling asleep during second period psych, but it was so worth it!

I actually really like them. I like how they incorporate the teal. I actually like these better than our current uni's. I agree.

I'm trying to paint my room Florida Marlins colors but I don't know which to use. I want to use teal but is teal still a marlins official color??? You think that in 2011 they will still have teal? Don't use the Gllidden Team colors paint from Home Depot. The teal is too light, and too blue almost (kind of like the teal from the first year's batting practice jerseys). My downstairs den is my Marlins shrine, and I had to re-paint after using that crap. I ended up using a shade from Kilz at Wal-Mart...forgot what's it's called...but it was more to the green side and the shade was more intermediate.

The beige is garbage and I'm not big on a white cap, but overally this is GREAT with a nice slick updated look... but the best part... NO ORANGE!!! I'd approve if these became our Miami jerseys! ...actually on second look, the biggest problem is that Mike Jacobs is apparently still a Marlin in 2011...change that! AMEN TO THE LACK OF ORANGE!!! I was so affraid what everything would look like since Loria commented he wanted a "fresh, new look," has stated he like silver and black (and not teal, bc it was an 80's color) and bc orange has crept in everywhere. However, I really like these! Even the beige, though it's comes off as a rip off of San Diego.

Al's, because I stayed at home to watch the game instead of going to see Twister with the rest of my family. They gave me so much grief for wanting to stay home and watch a baseball game instead of going to see a cool-looking movie on it's second night. I remember them coming home and asking how the game was; I asked, "Oh, I just got to watch every pitch of the Marlins' first no-hitter, how was the movie?" "Oh....not as good as history."

OMG, he ONLY made ONE questionable / bad decision. He didn't bring in his closer for the 9th inning. Big whoop...Fredi doesn't have a bat in his hands; these are professional players...they went 1-10 with .RISP today. I said it last night, while everyone was going goo-goo-gaa-gaa over the win. The hitters were terrible last night, and 9x out of 10, when you play like that, you lose. Well, they did it today again...and lost. Scott in the 6th after only allowing 1 hit and being under 100 pitches.... he needs to go back out for the 7th... If you want Rhodes to come in and pitch and he strikes out 1 guy, dont go to Pinto unless you need to pinch hit for Rhodes.. instead he just brought pinto in.. Now this one is questionable... but with the bases loaded, Cantu at bat, down by 1 run in the bottom of the 9th with less than 2 outs... im putting the suicide squeeze on 99.9% of the time... If the bases are loaded, you are up by 2 runs, you're pitcher(who was at 93 pitches) is coming up, and you're struggling for runs, you have to use a pinch hitter. And you dont do a suicide squeeze in the ninth inning, bases loaded, one out with one of your best hitters up. The reason why I agree w/ the orignal post, and said to my dad "suicide squeeze" is for the exact reason stated above: we had one of our best hitters on, and Helms at 3rd. Everyone expected Jorge to be swinging for the fences, or at least try to get it deep enough for the sack fly. The rockies had the shift on, and were playing deep. If he had laid down the bunt to the right side, Helms WOULD HAVE made it despite being less than fleet-footed. Then, the score would at least have been tied and we would have gone into Extra Innings when Willingham flyed out. With the hitters struggling in the game (and for the most part, the series), you have to be conservative and go for at least the tie and extra innings in that situation.

I'm reserving judgement on this, and have to just trust in our front office to do what's right. It would have been nice to have Manny, but it was more of a sexy trade than a necessity (having such a big name on the Fish). You can never have too many bats, I guess, but mortgaging the future oufield in Stokes couldn't justify a 2 month 36 yr old rental. It would have also been nice to upgrade our catching situation, but our focus should be defense and game calling with our catchers right now when we have so many big sticks in the lineup. I would say I'm most dissapoitned we didn't moke Jake for whatever piece so we could call McPhearson up. In the end, we needed a verteran lefty in the pen and we got him. I think Beinfest took a "if it ain't broke" mentality since we're only a game and a half back. He made a logical, objective analysis of the team as it stood instead of a rash, emotional choice.

I'll be heading down to see the fish this weekend against the Rockies, and being as this is the first games in Maimi I've attended this year (went to all 3 games in Tampa, of course), I was wondering about the pre-game activities at Super Saturdays. Last year, they seemed to have two autograph sessions; one w/ a celebrity guest (whoever was throwing out the first pitch or the performer for that ngith's concert) and one with a couple players that was only for children 12 and under. On the Marlins' website, it doesn't mention the children's session specifically like last year, it just says "autograph sessiosn with players, alumni and celebrity guests." Are they still doing it like last year, or is everyone able to get players sigs at Gate H? Who've been some of the "alumni and celebrities" this year? Anyone know who's going to be there this weekend? Thanks! See you in Sect 149!

Don't put much stock into this. You think we will trade one of the best relievers on this team, Kevin Gregg, while we are looking for relief help? It's funny, not that I'm saying you were one of them, but it was less than a month ago after his disasterous stretch in Colorado, many people on this board were calling for Gregg's head. Now that he's settled down again, I don't see any posts abou how we need to get rid of him, and I bet you many of the same people who were wantign him released then are perfectly happy with him now...

I just wanted to drop my hat into this discussion, because I deeply respect Harold and agree with what he said. Harold has long been a pillar in the community (especially in Seattle) and received numerous awards for his volunteer work. In terms of baseball knowledge, I thought he was second only to Gammons on the BT broadcasts, and was the most impartial, least biased voice on the program (a mantle, which as already been pointed out, that has been taken up by EY). He won a sports emmy. In terms of his dismissal from ESPN, they settled in April; while settling was not necessarily admission that they were wrong in term'ing him (nor does it mean Harold was right). What it does mean is that ESPN felt he had a strong enough case against them they he could potentially win. That does not make him guilty of sexual harrassment, or being a rapist (whether it was a joke or not, the comment was irresponsible). Accoridng to a Febuary '07 NY Times article, he was dismissed for the following incident: "Reynolds, who had worked for ESPN for 11 years, said in the original lawsuit that he had given a ?brief and innocuous hug to a female intern? who ?never expressed any discomfort? and later that day had dinner with Reynolds, a former Seattle Mariners second baseman, at a Boston Market restaurant. The complaint added that Reynolds never saw her afterward, and that she ?made no complaint until approximately three weeks later.? ESPN informed him by letter last July 24 that he had been fired." Now, hugging in the workplace is inappropriate and unprofessional, but I don't see how that constitutes SH. In terms of what he said about Hammer, he made the comment "If he was a real outfielder;" I believe he said that in the most literal sense, as we all know he's a converted catcher/infielder. I believe that's all he meant. Hammer is probably my least favorite player on the team, as he's showm me nothing the past two years except injuries, inconcsistent offense and sub-par defense. The same can be said for Hermida and Jacobs. I'd very much like to see them all replaced at some point. I spoke with Harold after the Draft in June, and he was rather "gushy" about the Fish. He said we have a strong, young core, unbelieveable farm system, and once we got more of our starting pitching back, we'd be an extremely tough team to beat down the stretch. Hardly sounds to me like someone who has an agenda against the fish. Remember, he is now an employee of MLB and TBS; both entities are trying hard to push the Cubbies right now, so I'm sure they instructed him to talk up the Cubbies and the Marlins down somewhat. I oubt he has the same kind of creative and intellectual freedom as he had at ESPN, which is at least somewhat impartial.