06/04/2004 6:43 PM ET

Notes: Coaches to join All-Star staff

Pierre back at leadoff; Burnett not pleased with debut

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

 

Third base coach Jeff Cox will join five other Marlins assistants at the All-Star Game. (Evan Vucci/AP)

 

 

 

NEW YORK -- Six Marlins assistants will be joining Jack McKeon as part of the National League All-Star coaching staff.

McKeon, who will manage the National League squad at the July 13 Midsummer Classic in Houston, met with league representatives Friday to go over some All-Star procedures.

 

McKeon was informed his assistants also would be allowed to coach the NL squad.

 

Marlins bench coach Doug Davis, third base coach Jeff Cox, pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal, first base/infield coach Perry Hill, hitting coach Bill Robinson and bullpen coordinator Pierre Arsenault will be making the trip to Houston.

 

The only assistant not going is Tony Taylor, who wasn't on the 2003 World Series championship staff.

 

Arsenault is taking the slot of last year's third base coach Ozzie Guillen, who is now managing the White Sox.

 

"I spoke with Tony, and he's OK with it," McKeon said.

 

Exactly how many Marlins are selected to the team is unclear. In years past, the manager had more say in picking the reserves. But now players and coaches in the league have a voice, and a player will be voted in by an Internet vote conducted on MLB.com.

 

Probable Marlins to either make the team or receive consideration are Mike Lowell, Armando Benitez, Brad Penny and Juan Pierre. They are having the best first halves so far.

 

For the second season, the winning league in the All-Star Game will have home-field advantage in the World Series. Despite being the visitors in 2003, the Marlins beat the Yankees in six games.

 

The National League has not won the All-Star Game since 1996, having lost six of the last seven with one tie.

 

Informed of the NL's drought, the ever-confident McKeon predicted: "We'll break it."

 

Containing Pierre: When he is on the bases, Pierre is a marked man. The defending stolen-base champion is having a tough time breaking loose on the base paths.

 

After setting a club record with 65 stolen bases last year, Pierre isn't running as often or as successfully.

 

While he tops the team with 15, he has been caught eight times. A year ago, he was thrown out 20 times.

 

"The whole secret is your first step out of the chute," McKeon said.

 

Pierre is one of the fastest players in the game. And in the offseason he worked on his speed by going to a running school.

 

Juan Pierre / CF

Born: 08/14/77

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 180 lbs

Bats: L / Throws: L

 

More info:

Player page

Stats | Splits

Team Site

 

 

 

"He went to that speed school and I don't know if it's worked," McKeon said.

 

Aware the Marlins offense is based largely on speed at the top of the order, Pierre and Luis Castillo are being held on more closely.

 

Pitchers are slide-stepping more and throwing over.

 

Another factor is Pierre, for a stretch of games, was batting second behind Castillo.

 

In that spot, he sometimes is giving himself up to help advance Castillo either by a bunt or ground ball.

 

"Leading off, you probably have a little more opportunity to run," Pierre said.

 

He said when he was hitting second, he wasn't running as much because he didn't want third hitter Mike Lowell feeling he needed to take quality fastballs.

 

Pierre, who has played 15 games batting second, was moved back into the leadoff spot on Friday. After losing four straight, the Marlins decided to shake up the lineup.

 

"We'll try something different," McKeon said.

 

Burnett's impact: The competitor in A.J. Burnett called Thursday's two runs in four innings and 83 total pitches "unacceptable."

 

McKeon said Burnett's first start since battling back from Tommy John surgery was "credible."

 

When looking at the big picture, Burnett's debut was credible and predictable.

 

It was unrealistic to expect a miraculous first showing, considering he hadn't been in a Major League game in more than 13 months. It also was his fourth time on the mound against competition, and first versus big-league hitters.

 

He had one Triple-A rehab assignment, in which he threw 92 pitches.

 

There will be ups and downs on Burnett's road to complete recovery. What the Marlins are looking for is the right-hander to regain his command and confidence in his curveball over the next few starts. His real impact could be felt after the All-Star break and down the playoff stretch run.

 

"I thought he did a good job," McKeon said. "He lacked good location."

 

Cool as ice: After more than 50 years in professional baseball, McKeon experienced another first Friday. Shea Stadium played host to Mets Ice Cube Tray giveaway night.

 

Upon seeing a sign on the scoreboard for the ice cube trays, McKeon quipped, "That's why it's cold."

 

About an hour before game time, it was a relatively chilly 68 degrees.

 

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

It's cool the rest of the staff is coming along. When will we know which Marlins players, if any will be participating in the home run derby?

It's cool the rest of the staff is coming along. When will we know which Marlins players will be participating in the home run derby?

Doubtful any would accept the invite, but it would be like right before the break.

It's cool the rest of the staff is coming along. When will we know which Marlins players will be participating in the home run derby?

Doubtful any would accept the invite, but it would be like right before the break. Why would they not accept?

 

I understand Mike Lowell would just say he's not a home run hitter but everyone wants to see Cabrera. It's suprising how many people actually know about this guy!

It's cool the rest of the staff is coming along. When will we know which Marlins players will be participating in the home run derby?

Doubtful any would accept the invite, but it would be like right before the break. Why would they not accept?

 

I understand Mike Lowell would just say he's not a home run hitter but everyone wants to see Cabrera. It's suprising how many people actually know about this guy! Correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't Cabs in 8th place amongst all NL outfielders? Pretty good.

If Cabs makes the All-Star team, he should just go ahead and participate in the Derby.

I would love to see one of the Fish in the home run derby. As much as Lowell says he isnt a home run hitter he could be succesful in it and so could Cabs. Its also cool to see all of the Marlins assistants go to the game with Mckeon. The All Star game should be fun this year, during the Marlins game they were talking about how it may be Piazza catching for Clemens, so that will be intersting and the Marlins will be well represented so that will make it even more fun.

I dont think any Marlins will go to the homerun derby.

 

I see them bat in BP and they never hit homeruns, they just hit linedrives.

I dont think any Marlins will go to the homerun derby.

 

I see them bat in BP and they never hit homeruns, they just hit linedrives.

I watched Choi take batting practice in the spring and he was hitting some moonshots.

I dont think any Marlins will go to the homerun derby.

 

I see them bat in BP and they never hit homeruns, they just hit linedrives.

They probably don't even try to hit homeruns all the time, they try and practice different things.

I dont think any Marlins will go to the homerun derby.

 

I see them bat in BP and they never hit homeruns, they just hit linedrives.

I watched Choi take batting practice in the spring and he was hitting some moonshots. there's no way on earth that choi will be in the HD....