Posted March 12, 200519 yr comment_449770 ... The whole story is juicy because of the names -- Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Mark McGwire -- involved, and it has taken on a Michael Jackson/Monica Lewinski life. It does not appear to have severely struck the audience: preseason ticket sales are at a record pace, spring training crowds have been very good, and you can get a Red Sox Opening Day ticket for $5000. But as Commissioner David Stern has rallied from a storm of bad publicity to make a preemptive strike in promoting the best young players in the NBA, so baseball should begin marketing its young personalities and people, not necessarily home run hitters. Certainly any campaign has to include Derek Jeter -- not just because he is visible, in New York and has four world series rings, but because in terms of work ethic, character and the devotion to team, he is everything baseball needs to sell. And Scott Rolen, Jason Varitek, Darin Erstad, Miguel Tejada, Paul Loduca, Mike Matheny, et al, are right in behind him. So here is my list of the 10 young players Baseball should market: Juan Pierre: In spring training, he is in the cage hitting at 7 a.m., bunting at 8. During the season he begs to play every game, and before the opener of each series on the road, is out before 2, rolling balls down the baselines to check the bunting grounds and throwing balls against the walls to gauge the caroms. Constant energy, infectious smile, a player every kid should want to emulate. Albert Pujols: He is on pace to be one of the greatest hitters who ever lived -- at 25, he has a career 1.037 OPS with 358 extra base hits, 304 walks and 279 strikeouts. Last year he had 46 homers and 52 strikeouts. He is meticulously serious and diligent about his craft, intelligent and the model superstar. Vernon Wells: OK, he was hurt last season, but he is in Olympian shape, can mash, is articulate and striking. Cesar Izturis: Just watch him in games, and in practice. Joe Mauer: And pray the knee holds up, because he is every mother's son, although only Mrs. Mauer raised this good a catcher and hitter. Mark Prior: Think Jim Palmer. And Rich Harden may be close to getting to this list, as well. Mark Teixeira, Mike Young and Hank Blalock: It's about team, talent and playing the game the right way. David Wright: Trust me. Rolen II. Dontrelle Willis: One of the best college pitchers in the country, North Carolina's Andrew Miller, says Willis is his role model "because everyone who plays should have that much joy playing baseball." David Ortiz: OK, he's 29, but besides the fact that he is a monster player and one of the best clutch performers in the business, he is one of the most popular and humorous. The man could sell anything, especially the game he loves. .... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=2011372 Cabs can easily be on this list also. A pure and good hitter who is so humble. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 12, 200519 yr comment_449771 Gammons is the man. Both of those guys are just awesome people. Also, cool to see the Andrew Miller quote. Gammons went to Carolina so that's not surprising. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 12, 200519 yr comment_449772 Great to see JP and DTrain are receiving respect. They deserve it. JP is one of the hardest working players in the game. Dtrain is a great pitcher, and deserves the recognition also. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449772 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449773 Pujols should be the #1, his work for M.D. is really applaudable. And yes, Pierre is the kind of player who has the work ethic every player (professsional or amateur) should emulate... Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449773 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449774 Pujols should be the #1, his work for M.D. is really applaudable. And yes, Pierre is the kind of player who has the work ethic every player (professsional or amateur) should emulate... 708629[/snapback] i don't think it's in order... i'm pretty sure... Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449774 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449775 Pujols should be the #1, his work for M.D. is really applaudable. And yes, Pierre is the kind of player who has the work ethic every player (professsional or amateur) should emulate... 708629[/snapback] i don't think it's in order... i'm pretty sure... 708671[/snapback] I didn't think so either, I was just commenting that if it were to be ordered (homerism aside) Pujols definitely should be #1... Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449775 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449776 Pujols should be the #1, his work for M.D. is really applaudable. And yes, Pierre is the kind of player who has the work ethic every player (professsional or amateur) should emulate... 708629[/snapback] i don't think it's in order... i'm pretty sure... 708671[/snapback] I didn't think so either, I was just commenting that if it were to be ordered (homerism aside) Pujols definitely should be #1... 708706[/snapback] o, ok i agree not only is he a great guy, but the's the best player on the list Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449776 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449777 I'm really surprised that Cabs isn't on the list, but its great to see JP and the Train on the list Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449777 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449778 I'm really surprised that Cabs isn't on the list, but its great to see JP and the Train on the list 708838[/snapback] Guys that barely speak English aren't very marketable. Also, Pujols is basically like Cabrera but a bit older and more talented. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449778 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449779 more talented? we'll see Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449779 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449780 The Marlins definitely have one of the most appealing teams in major league baseball. Pierre is marketable, D-Train is marketable, Cabrera is VERY marketable (don't know why he wasn't on that list...), Lowell is marketable, Delgado is marketable, Burnett is marketable, Beckett is VERY marketable (because he ladies love J-Beck like they love Cabs). It seems like there's someone on this team to please every audience. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449780 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449781 The Marlins definitely have one of the most appealing teams in major league baseball. Pierre is marketable, D-Train is marketable, Cabrera is VERY marketable (don't know why he wasn't on that list...), Lowell is marketable, Delgado is marketable, Burnett is marketable, Beckett is VERY marketable (because he ladies love J-Beck like they love Cabs). It seems like there's someone on this team to please every audience. 709051[/snapback] Even Jack McKeon. :mischief Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449781 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449782 Don't forget Luis Castillo. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449782 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449783 i'm not sure about josh. after the 2003 world series he got pissed at ownership and wouldn't sign a single thing with a world series logo on that. (inside scoop) jp and dontrizzle on hte other hand, niceist guys in the game. i would be with my buddy in the parking lot after the games and they would walk out together and come up to us and like give us hugs and shake our hands like we were good friends. class acts. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449783 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 13, 200519 yr comment_449784 Gammons was on Boog's show on Thursday and kept saying how JP was the guy he most loved to watch during Spring Training. The Marlins have a chance to become Venezuela's team if Cabby keeps developing into a super star. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/25939-gammons-gives-pierre-and-dtrain-respect/?&do=findComment&comment=449784 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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