Earlier, when people would say they thought Benitez was the best closer in the league, I just passed it off as a bunch of homers...I thought, yah he's doing great, but cmon...what about Gagne. But, I seriously think Benitez is the best closer this season.

 

He is destroying opponents....0.36 ERA is out of this world....

 

last nite impressed me so much....returning to the place where he had problems, going in there with a 1 run lead and having NO problems....total badass.

 

He needs to be an All-Star. That's my opinion, but I think that's objective.

For the record he lowered his era to 0.32.

 

He will make if for sure because Mckeon is picking the roster, but regardless he diserves to make it.

 

Who else will make it?

Brad Penny maybe? Mike Lowell as backup 3B, Miguel as backup OF and Benitez.

I dont see Cabs makin it. He just isn't one of the best OFers this season.

 

Lowell, maybe Pierre as a backup OF, Penny for sure, and Benitez.

and Castro.

 

P.S. Is Oliver gonna throw for the HR Derby? He should :plain

We are currently witnessing a hidden no-no by Benitez. He has gone 30+ straight outs without giving up a hit. His last hit I believe was to Adrian Beltre, that looper to right that Miguel couldn't get to in time that led to his only BS.

 

I also was skeptical at first on the whole Armando being the best in the business this year, just because I'm skeptical before I call any Marlin the best in anything (because it always comes off as homerism). But honestly, right now, there isn't anyone I'd rather have trotting out of the pen with a one run lead than Benitez.

and Castro.

 

P.S. Is Oliver gonna throw for the HR Derby? He should :plain

HAHA

Benitez=Stud

 

What a job he has done here in South Florida! He has not allowed an Earned run since Opening day. He should be an all star this season no doubt.

 

Lowell and Penny will also be there...probably

 

But not Cabs.

Id still rather have Gagne

 

*runs for life*

The man has done an amazing job so far this season. All star game is definitely a possibilitiy. His stuff is just plain nasty. I'm glad he was able to turn it around after last year, and apparently he is a really cool guy to have in the clubhouse from what I have read. He just fits perfectly with this team.

A few words on/from Benitez:

Armando Benitez says he doesn't worry about the past. And with good reason -- why worry about that when the present is so great?

 

''I don't think back,'' said Benitez, who was run out of New York twice last season before landing with the Marlins five days before Christmas. ``What I think about is trying to have fun and trying to do my job the best I can.''

 

So far, his best has been plenty for Florida. His scoreless ninth inning Friday night not only saved the Marlins' 2-1 win against the New York Mets, it ran Benitez's hitless-innings streak to 10 2/3, lowered his ERA to a major-league-best 0.31 and frustrated his former teammates.

 

''I thought it was a huge save for Armando,'' Marlins manager Jack McKeon said. ``Anytime you go up against your former mates, it's big.''

 

Especially with this pitcher and these former mates.

 

During his final season with the Mets, Benitez was widely perceived as moody and temperamental. Worse, he was deemed expendable after blowing eight saves before the All-Star break.

 

After brief trials with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, Benitez was left for the free agent market, where the Marlins wasted little time in embracing him.

 

And a hug, Benitez said, was all he really needed.

 

''I get hugs from everybody here,'' said Benitez, who has received a public squeeze from McKeon after each of his 19 saves. ``This is a great group right now. There's a lot of talent on this club. [We] have fun and we stay together.

 

``We have a great personality here. That's important.''

 

 

 

Aw. Nice!

link: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/8789976.htm

My Current All-Stars:

 

C Estrada, Piazza, Barrett

1B Casey, Pujols, Wilson, Overbay

2B Loretta, Kent

SS Wilson, Clayton

3B Rolen, Castilla, Lowell

OF Berkman, Burrell

OF Bonds, Finley

OF Abreau, Burnitz

 

SP: Johnson, Clemens, Penny, Sheets, Glavine, Hernandez, Zambrano

RP: Benitez, Gagne, Graves, Mesa, Gagne, Looper

 

Maybe I need a couple of more....

Gagne twice?

yeah he's been exceptional

 

glad to know we at least have someone in our pen we can trust with a lead

My Current All-Stars:

 

C Estrada, Piazza, Barrett

1B Casey, Pujols, Wilson, Overbay

2B Loretta, Kent

SS Wilson, Clayton

3B Rolen, Castilla, Lowell

OF Berkman, Burrell

OF Bonds, Finley

OF Abreau, Burnitz

 

SP: Johnson, Clemens, Penny, Sheets, Glavine, Hernandez, Zambrano

RP: Benitez, Gagne, Graves, Mesa, Gagne, Looper

 

Maybe I need a couple of more....

Smoltz?

MANDO ESTE NO VE LA PELOTA STRRRIKKKKEEEEEEEEE(MANDO HE CANT SEE IT STRIKE......... GO MANDO DO YOUR THING GO FISH :notworthy

For the record he lowered his era to 0.32.

 

He will make if for sure because Mckeon is picking the roster, but regardless he diserves to make it.

 

Who else will make it?

He actually lowered it to 0.31 but whatever. :thumbup

 

Anyway, I see Lowell, Cabrera, Benitez, Pierre, and Penny all making it. Remember, Jack get's to choose the back-ups, and like every other manager does, I wouldn't be suprised if the best 5 players on out team make it. 1 Starter, 1 BP guy, 3 position players.

'Mando's having a great year, but Gagne has yet to blow a save. I know that the blown save came on an unearned run, but it was 'Mando's throw that got above all 6'5'' of Choi.

 

Either way, both are great, lights out right now...

Gagne twice?

He's that good apparently

Gagne twice?

Woops....That last spot will be between Kolb and Hoffman.

All-Star Game = Popularity Contest.

 

Bonds, Griffey, and Sosa should be the starting OF if they're all healthy. Helton will be there, Renteria will be there, Smoltz will be there.

Junior is doing well this year man, and Renteria isn't exactly popular outside of St. Louis.

'Mando's having a great year, but Gagne has yet to blow a save. I know that the blown save came on an unearned run, but it was 'Mando's throw that got above all 6'5'' of Choi.

 

Either way, both are great, lights out right now...

I'm pretty sure Cordero was at first that day, because he made a stupid error earlier in the game, and besides that if Miguel gets to Beltre's ball like he should of maybe that all never happens. But oh well the past is passed and Armando owns. :thumbup

how the hell is Cabs gonna make it?

All-Star Game = Popularity Contest.

 

Bonds, Griffey, and Sosa should be the starting OF if they're all healthy. Helton will be there, Renteria will be there, Smoltz will be there.

You don't think that Kaz Matsui will be the starting NL SS? With internet voting as easy as it is, he may get several gazillion Japanese votes. Hideki Matsui started for the AL last year.