AdrianneLove

No... see.... the better question is... Why is anyone a marlins? It gives you something to think about. Don't make me re-neg the Pitchy :shifty :crying I meant it a good way...

I've heard this joke before. Very funny.

Edit: Why are you?

I have a better idea.... I say we tailgate against the Mets, which would be Sat, August 30th..... The mets series is always the biggest crowd and the best series.

Diamondbacks send Micah Owings to Reds as part of deal.

OAKLAND -- Carl Crawford will have surgery on Thursday to repair the subluxation of his right middle finger tendon and is scheduled to be out 6-8 weeks. "After going through some of the different options, Carl is going to have surgery on Thursday in Arizona," said Andrew Friedman, executive vice president of baseball operations. Dr. Donald Sheridan is to perform the surgery. "It's a six-to-eight week recovery," Friedman said. "It's a fairly simple procedure, but it's something that the downside was too great if we didn't go ahead and get it taken care of now. We're fairly optimistic he'll be able to return in six weeks. But we'll know a lot more once he's a couple of weeks into the recovery." Crawford, who is a two-time American League All-Star, said he heard something pop when he checked his swing on a 3-1 pitch from Seattle's J.J. Putz in the 10th inning of Saturday night's game. The injury is located at the base of the middle finger of his right hand at the joint connecting the finger to the hand. The tendon used to straighten the fingers has come out of its groove, which causes the finger to lock into position when Crawford bends his finger downward. He must push the tendon back into place to again straighten his finger. "If every single thing went extremely well, there is a chance he could play in a regular-season game," Friedman said. Crawford's other option would have been to rehab the injury. "Try and splint it and stabilize it," Friedman said. "But it's not that practical after we went through it. We consulted a number of different doctors and got a lot of different opinions. And [rehabbing] it was something that just didn't seem like the prudent thing to do." Friedman said that option might have fixed the problem enough to where Crawford could play. But the overriding opinion was that rehab would not have fixed the injury, and that it would have reoccurred, which could have resulted in Crawford hurting himself worse and having a more involved surgery. Speculating about Crawford's prognosis for the remainder of the season should become clear in the coming weeks. "So much of it will be based on how well the surgery goes, how well the rehab is going, how his hand is progressing," Friedman said. "Once we get three or four weeks into this thing, we'll have a much better feel for whether he'll be able to return in the regular season and if he would be eligible for anything thereafter." Crawford was hitting .273 with eight home runs and 57 RBIs and was in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak. Recently, he became the first player since Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan (1939) to reach 80 triples before his 27th birthday. Crawford is a four-time American League stolen base leader in addition to being the Rays' all-time leader in hits, at-bats, runs, stolen bases and triples.

When are the Marlins expected to play at Fenway again? 2009? That's how I see it. Edit: I am planning on going to Boston next year... I don't know whether it's gonna be a Marlins-Red Sox game.. it depends on timing and scheduling. Fenway is a great place to go for a few games, horrible for a season ticket holder. Look into staying outside of Boston though, maybe Brookline, or even further out in Riverside. Riverside is nice, because you are right on the Green line, the hotels are right there and for a week MBTA pass its cheap and you can still do all the boston stuff. What is there to do in Boston?

When are the Marlins expected to play at Fenway again? 2009? That's how I see it. Edit: I am planning on going to Boston next year... I don't know whether it's gonna be a Marlins-Red Sox game.. it depends on timing and scheduling.

DETROIT -- The Tigers became the team to sign much-scouted free-agent pitcher Freddy Garcia, signing the veteran right-hander on Tuesday to a Minor League contract for the rest of the season. The signing connects Garcia's summer-long comeback attempt with a destination, albeit a team whose playoff hopes have faded over the past couple weeks. Detroit entered play Tuesday in third place in the American League Central, eight games behind the division-leading Twins, but they've seen pitching as the key to staying in contention. The 33-year-old Garcia went 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts with the Phillies last year before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. He has spent this year working his way back into pitching shape, which culminated in a mound session last week before scouts from about 15 teams. His fastball reportedly topped out in the mid to upper 80s. He still has some ways to go before being ready for a big-league game, hence the Minor League contract. His agent, Peter Greenberg, has told various publications that Garcia should be ready by the start of September. For now, he'll pitch in the Tigers farm system. He can be a free agent at year's end, but given the Tigers' pitching situation, Detroit could try to re-sign him if it likes what it sees. Garcia has a 117-76 record in 263 games over nine Major League seasons with the Mariners, White Sox and Phillies. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, he is a close friend of Tigers third baseman Carlos Guillen among Detroit's Venezuelan players. In addition, the Tigers have promoted left-hander Dontrelle Willis from Class A Lakeland to Triple-A Toledo. The left-hander will pitch for the Mud Hens on Friday. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

BOSTON -- The Red Sox helped bolster their ailing starting rotation on Tuesday by dealing for Indians right-hander Paul Byrd. Byrd, a 13-year veteran who spent the last three seasons in Cleveland, comes to Boston for a player to be named later or cash. It's coming at a time where Byrd is performing the best he has all season. He's 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA in four starts since the All-Star break. The Red Sox won't have to wait long for Byrd to contribute. He will start Friday in place of Clay Buchholz. At this stage of the campaign for the Sox, if there is an area of the roster that is in need of help due to injury, it's the starting rotation. Curt Schilling didn't throw a pitch in 2008 before season-ending shoulder surgery in June, Bartolo Colon has been on the disabled list since mid-June and, most recently, Tim Wakefield was sent to the 15-day DL over the weekend with tightness in his throwing shoulder. Couple that with stints on the DL by both Daisuke Matsuzaka and Buchholz -- 0-5 since his return in mid-July -- a little insurance in Boston's rotation might be more than helpful down the stretch. Byrd's arrival should aid that trend by lending veteran leadership along with versatility. He's 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA for the Indians, who are last place in the AL Central. But more importantly, he hasn't started less than 31 games in a season since 2004 with Atlanta. And for Byrd, this might be the opportunity he's been waiting for to make another push toward a title. "There's a couple years where you're just happy to be here," Byrd said on Saturday. "Then all of a sudden, you realize you play this game because you want to win and want to win a World Series. I'd love an opportunity to do that." Byrd was consistently effective in 2007 for the Tribe, owning a 15-8 record while helping Cleveland to the American League Championship Series, losing the seven-game series to the eventual champion Red Sox. Given that the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline is passed, Byrd must be passed through waivers before being traded. Every other team has the option of claiming a waived player, in reverse order of the standings. The team putting the player through waivers can either let the player go, pull him back or try to work out a deal with the team that claimed the player. Byrd, who made his Major League debut in 1995, spent time with the Mets, Braves, Phillies, Royals, Angels before his time with the Indians. He's 104-91 lifetime with a 4.37 ERA. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

MIAMI -- This one is for the mascots. The ones who never test the free-agent market. Who will not leave the game early to avoid traffic. Who don't head for shelter during rain delays. And who truly are the face of their respective franchises. This one is for Billy. A sea creature who has been able to go national with a small-market franchise. A fish who makes being a mascot a lot more than merely cheering on a team for nine innings. And a marlin who sacrifices limbs -- actually, fins -- just to see the smile on fans' faces. Beginning Monday, voting for the Mascot Hall of Fame will get under way, and this time around, Billy the Marlin -- the Marlins' mascot since the team's inauguration in 1993 -- is on a very short list of prestigious candidates for induction. The Mascot Hall of Fame has been around since 2005, and there are currently only three MLB mascots enshrined -- the Phillie Phanatic, the San Diego Chicken and Mr. Met. That makes Billy the Marlin's accomplishments even more noteworthy, considering his franchise isn't usually considered among the Major Leagues' most popular. "Billy has been great through the work he's done on and off the field," said Chris Bruce, vice chairman for the Mascot Hall of Fame, which also nominated Slider from the Cleveland Indians, along with eight other collegiate and professional mascots this year. "Part of it is the character, the other part is the performer. "Billy the Marlin is a good-looking character. He garners a lot of attention, and he's had a positive impact for the team, organization and city." John Routh has a motto he's acquired for most of his professional life: "Sacrifice the body for the laugh." That's exactly what he did when he dressed up as Billy the Marlin for the first 10 seasons in franchise history. During that time, Routh was almost hurled over the upper-deck railing by an intoxicated fan -- "Thank God my assistant is now a Hallandale [beach, Fla.] police officer," he said -- was tied up with athletic tape and pretty much left for dead in the outfield grass by John Kruk and some of his Phillies teammates, almost got beat up by former pitcher Terry Mulholland after accidentally hitting him on the head with a prop, was considered a source of bad luck to former Marlins ace Al Leiter -- right before he threw the franchise's first no-hitter in 1996 -- had mud thrown all over him by Mets relievers countless times and witnessed the character's head fall off while a Navy SEAL was parachuting into Dolphin Stadium. He's had at least five knee surgeries. He's had his weight fluctuate like a roller-coaster ride. He's felt like he was going to pass out on many hot Sunday afternoons. And he was never even able to fit into his well-deserved 1997 World Series ring. "After we won, from Nov. 1 to the middle of January, we had a string where [the Marlins] had about three or four appearances a day, and I ended up losing like 35 pounds, so I was really skinny when they measured us for the rings," said Routh, who left the team after the 2002 season and now works as a mascot instructor at the college level. "But when they finally came in, I had put back on my normal weight, and I couldn't even wear it." After Routh left, the person who had been his backup, John DeCicco, took over and has carried on the tradition for the past six years. "He's shown so many skills as a performer," said Sean Flynn, the Marlins' vice president of marketing. "He's able to connect with the kids so well. He makes that connection, and it resonates every time. "Billy is a huge asset to our organization. ... He's very valuable." Voting for the Hall of Fame will run until Sept. 12, and a percentage of the fan vote will be counted. For a mascot to be enshrined, it must receive 75 percent of the vote, which includes several different committees within the Hall of Fame. Routh's case is a special one. Not only is Billy the Marlin being nominated for the Hall of Fame, but two of his other ex-characters -- Sebastian the Ibis (University of Miami) and Cocky (University of South Carolina) -- are also on the list. So there is a chance that all three of them can get inducted, but he won't get a chance to dress up as any of them at the induction ceremony. But that's not a big deal for Routh. He said he'll show up wherever they have the ceremony, knowing he played a big role in each of their popularity. Besides, throughout his tenure, it's never been about notoriety or fame. It's been about making fans smile. That was especially true as Billy the Marlin. "The best part is when you go to a birthday party and all the kids come and hug you," Routh said. "Then you have those kids in the back who are too shy. Those are the kids I target as the day passes. And my goal is to win over their hearts before I leave. If they do, it was a good day," "[To be a good mascot,] you have to be entertaining, but you also have to be accessible," he added. "The Marlins have always made sure Billy the Marlin has been that." http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/articl...sp&c_id=fla

sshould we meet outside and take one car in? that would save on parking no? And where would we park our cars? Not at Walmart... they have a towing service come and take caresout. idk I am just throwing it out there, because parking is 10 bucks right? yeah but nonetheless there is no other place to park. now what does suck is that parking is 10 bucks

sshould we meet outside and take one car in? that would save on parking no? And where would we park our cars? Not at Walmart... they have a towing service come and take caresout.

I vote for T/R/S Honeslty I can go whichever night, if we want to do 2 tailgates we can too, like Saturday for the Cubs, and then another for the people who missed out on a random tuesday or thursday. Even if its like 4 people before the game I would be down jsut to get out and go to the game and not alone... so whatever works. That's a better idea... OK.. for anyone wanting to go to Saturday's game agianst the cubs.. We need to find a place to park and stuff.

No clue. I think we need a vote.... Saturday game against the Cubs or Tuesday/Thursday game against St. Louis? I vote for Saturday.

I was in total shock. Incredible opening performances.

Didn't seem like a great fit for the red sox. They already have good bench guys in Coco, Casey, and Cora... I love the Red Sox but I hate Coco. I can't stand him.

Livan to make Rockies debut on Sunday against the Padres. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

So what inning did you decide to have this ready? lol

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=atl

Damn... why not keep the sucky pitcher and leave Chipper out of this? lol Oh, well.. Furcalchick must be happy. lol

PHOENIX -- Chipper Jones was activated from the 15-day disabled list on Friday and immediately placed back in the Braves' starting lineup. Braves manager Bobby Cox had previously indicated he might limit to Jones to pinch-hitting duties after his return. But the veteran third baseman, who has the best batting average in the Majors, convinced Cox with his words and actions that he was ready to play for the first time since straining his left hamstring on July 23. "He did everything well [during Thursday's batting practice]," Cox said. "Chipper knows his body. He's always given me honest answers and he says he's ready to go." To open a roster spot for Jones, the Braves optioned Chuck James back to Triple-A Richmond. The hope is that the once-promising left-hander makes more progress than he had during his last stint in Richmond. "It's definitely been a strange year," James said. "I thought last year was bad, when I was trying to stay above .500. Now that doesn't seem that bad." During his seven Major League starts this year, James has gone 2-5 with a 9.10 ERA. Opponents have compiled a .415 on-base percentage and hit 10 homers in the 29 2/3 innings he's pitched. This has caused many to wonder how this could suddenly happen to somebody who won 11 games during both of his first two full Major League seasons. James said that he asks himself this question "about four times a day." "It is what it is," James said. "You just have to get back to where you were." In order for James to regain his previous success, he'll have to rework his mechanics and the changeup that was once his best pitch. His mechanical flaws began after he encountered shoulder fatigue midway through last season. During his first 39 career Major League starts, James went 19-12 with a 3.73 ERA and allowed an average of 1.40 homers per nine innings. But in the 16 starts he's made since July 31 of last year, he's gone 5-7 with a 7.26 ERA and seen opponents hit an average of 3.03 homers per nine innings. James was idle most of this winter and during the early weeks of Spring Training because of a partially torn rotator cuff. He thinks the adjusted schedule may have prevented him from regaining the mechanics he lost while attempting to pitch through the shoulder fatigue he experienced last year. "I just kind of had to rush myself to get ready for this year," James said. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

DENVER -- Brian Giles sounded more miffed than relieved Friday when he arrived in the visiting clubhouse at Coors Field, even though he vetoed a potential trade to the Red Sox. Giles was a little perturbed that his waiver claim -- usually an anonymous process that the media isn't privy to -- was leaked publicly this week. "I didn't know everybody was supposed to know, especially when it wasn't a done deal and it wouldn't go down," Giles said. The deadline for the Padres and Red Sox to make a deal passed quietly Friday with Giles opting not to waive his limited no-trade clause, which included the Red Sox. He also had the Orioles, Tigers, Nationals, Rays, Brewers, Marlins and Pirates on the no-trade list. The Red Sox claimed Giles earlier in the week and the teams had hoped to swing a trade that would have sent the veteran right fielder to the American League. He refused. Giles wouldn't go into details about what went into his decision to remain in San Diego, though family factors -- he has two young daughters -- were a consideration. "It's kind of between myself and my agent, and Boston and the Padres," Giles said. "I don't think really anything needs to be said other than I made a commitment to play for this team for three or four years, and at the end, that's where I still stand." By trading Giles to the Red Sox, the Padres could have saved between $2.75 million and $6 million on his contact. So the 37-year-old Giles, who joined the Padres in a trade from Pittsburgh in 2003, will remain a Padre, which is perfectly fine with him. "I signed a three-, possibly four-year deal here. I'm committed to fulfill that contract. If next year doesn't work out with the option, I'll be a free agent and I can choose where I go," said Giles, who grew up in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon. Giles, who is making $9 million this season, has a $9 million club option for 2009. General manager Kevin Towers has said that he would like to keep Giles next season. Giles, who is hitting .295 this season with six home runs with a .390 on-base percentage, was in the starting lineup Friday for the Padres' tilt vs. the Rockies at Coors Field. Giles sounded like he would like to finish his career in San Diego. "I don't know how many years I have left," Giles said. "I've had a good time here in San Diego. Like I've preached before, the same games we've been the last couple of years that we've won we haven't won any of those this year. Given our division and how young it is, it's going to be inconsistent for the next two or three years, so I feel there's an opportunity here. "I've had a couple of dings this year, but I've been able to take some days off. I know I have a few years left; hopefully it is with San Diego." http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb I know some of you know that it fell through but I just thought I'd post the article so that other people know.

So Saturday we go against some guy named Brian Stokes who used to be a Tampa Bay DEVIL Ray last year. He's only faced 5 of our batters but not enough to say that we "own" him. lol Any one else heard of this guy? Yes...he pitched for the Rays last year in relief. He threw 97-98 mph...however, opponents used to hit the ball harder than what he threw, often times. Sort of like Lindstrom... (earlier in the year). This is totally off topic but did you really have to put I in bold letters in your Post Script? lol Trying to run it in our faces.. pfft. Rab's sig inspired me. :lol Well in that case... I should smack him around for a while.

So Saturday we go against some guy named Brian Stokes who used to be a Tampa Bay DEVIL Ray last year. He's only faced 5 of our batters but not enough to say that we "own" him. lol Any one else heard of this guy? Yes...he pitched for the Rays last year in relief. He threw 97-98 mph...however, opponents used to hit the ball harder than what he threw, often times. Sort of like Lindstrom... (earlier in the year). This is totally off topic but did you really have to put I in bold letters in your Post Script? lol Trying to run it in our faces.. pfft.