Marlins biggest disappointment in baseball

Embarrassing that a team this good won't make playoffs

 

COMMENTARY

By Ray Glier

NBCSports.com contributor

Updated: 11:15 p.m. ET Sept. 22, 2005

 

 

Ray Glier

It is the National League East, after all, so who can blame the Florida Marlins for not winning the division. The Braves are lord of the NL East and nobody should be blamed for not beating the Braves. Atlanta is starting to use their championship flags as dish towels because it is running out of places to hang them.

 

Pardon me, though, I still want to fry some Fish.

 

Florida has three of the best pitchers in the National League, Dontrelle Willis, Josh Beckett, and A.J. Burnett.

 

The Marlins shopped down the superstar aisle in the offseason and found first baseman Carlos Delgado, who is hitting .306 and on a clutch late-season roll.

 

They have a player, Miguel Cabrera, who has the look of a future MVP.

 

They have glue in Jeff Conine and brains in Paul LoDuca. They have a Gold Glove second baseman in Luis Castillo.

 

They have closer Todd Jones who has converted 27 straight saves. They have the guy with the most pinch hits in Major League history, Lenny Harris.

 

They have a manager, Jack McKeon, who was about to be canonized in 2003 for guiding the Fish to an improbable world championship.

 

And they also had Cabrera?s word for it that if the big three pitchers stayed healthy the Marlins would be in the playoffs.

 

Whoops.

 

Any day now, an envelope will appear in his mail. Fixed to a paper plate will be Cabrera?s quote guaranteeing a spot in the postseason.

 

There will be a simple note.

 

?Miguel, eat this.?

 

On the eve of a last-gasp series against the Braves at Turner Field, which starts Friday night, the Fish are fighting ... to stay out of third place. They are four games behind ? in the wild card race.

 

The Marlins' rallying cry the final 10 days of the season is ?Just win ?em all baby.?

 

The Fish should not be this desperate, but they have spent their riches like millionaire playboys. They have underachieved and are chasing an Atlanta team with almost as many rookies as a police academy. The Phillies are even ahead of the Marlins and that is without injured slugger Jim Thome.

 

The only hope for the Marlins is to sweep the Braves in Atlanta, sweep the Nationals in Miami, and finish with a sweep of the Braves in Miami. That assumes the Braves and Phillies collapse.

 

Forget it.

 

How can the The Fish expect a miracle after what they have done this week? They lost a game in New York when Burnett walked one and struck out nine. They lost another extra inning game when the bullpen caved.

 

They lost a game last week when Willis led 2-0 in the ninth. Actually, they didn?t just lose the game, they set the game back 100 years by committing four errors and allowing eight runs before anyone was out. The final score was a 10-2 loss.

 

The Marlins can claim injuries to their middle infield wrecked everything. They can claim the bottom part of their rotation was too young.

 

What about the Braves? They lost 65 percent of their rotation to injury for most of the season, their closer was a bomb, their catcher has a bad back, and the two veteran corner outfielders they got in the offseason, Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan, are shopping for retirement homes.

 

Atlanta had a lot more problems, but it turned to its minor league system and patched holes.

 

The Marlins turned to their minor league system and patched, not with a prospect, but a minor league manager. The 37-year old Mike Mordecai, a former Brave, was summoned to the bigs to play after trying to teach players under him how to get there.

 

What kind of system is that? You had a nucleus in place and wasted it with no complementary talent.

 

It has been a collapse felt from top to bottom on the roster. Mike Lowell signed a big contract, one that will pay him $7.5 million this season, and he is hitting .236. Burnett went stone cold the last week in August.

 

The Marlins can at least think about what they need to add for next season. They have plenty of money now that they don?t have to pay anymore of Mike Hampton?s contract. That was $23 million over three years that is off the books.

 

But how do you buy spunk? The Marlins have won 27 games coming from behind. Only the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates, two of the worst teams in the Majors because of low payroll, have fewer comeback wins.

 

That is not the stuff contenders are made of.

 

So, two years after a surprising title, the Marlins looked cooked.

 

They should have done more. Barring a miracle, they will wear the crown this season as baseball?s biggest disappointment.

 

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9445168/

They have closer Todd Jones who has converted 27 straight saves.

Research, please...

 

 

And they also had Cabrera's word for it that if the big three pitchers stayed healthy the Marlins would be in the playoffs.

 

Whoops.

 

Any day now, an envelope will appear in his mail. Fixed to a paper plate will be Cabrera's quote guaranteeing a spot in the postseason.

 

There will be a simple note.

 

"Miguel, eat this."

 

A 22 year old kid with the optimism of a giddy fan...Wow, that's uncommon.

 

The only hope for the Marlins is to sweep the Braves in Atlanta, sweep the Nationals in Miami, and finish with a sweep of the Braves in Miami. That assumes the Braves and Phillies collapse.

 

If the Marlins sweep both Braves' series, then they wouldn't necessarily have to sweep the Nats. They would be tied with the Braves, 'and' hold the tiebreak advantage.

 

 

 

What about the Braves? They lost 65 percent of their rotation to injury for most of the season, their closer was a bomb, their catcher has a bad back, and the two veteran corner outfielders they got in the offseason, Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan, are shopping for retirement homes.

 

 

The Marlins 3B and CF also 'bombed', they relief pitching 'bombed', their middle infield was, indeed, plagued by injury the entire season, and their catcher is goin to be visiting that retirement home fairly soon if he doesn't get his gimp leg fixed.

 

 

 

Who is this guy??

Sounds like someone who put a lot of money down on the fish to win it all.

They have the guy with the most pinch hits in Major League history, Lenny Harris.

that's where i stopped reading.

just win em all baby

And they also had Cabrera?s word for it that if the big three pitchers stayed healthy the Marlins would be in the playoffs.

 

6/17/05 Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with a blister to his right middle finger.

 

7/8/05 Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain

 

Man should research before mouthing off.

 

Also:

 

Atlanta had a lot more problems, but it turned to its minor league system and patched holes.

 

The Marlins turned to their minor league system and patched, not with a prospect, but a minor league manager. The 37-year old Mike Mordecai, a former Brave, was summoned to the bigs to play after trying to teach players under him how to get there.

 

7/6/05 Placed C Josh Willingham (AKA reaching into the farm system) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 30, with a stress fracture to his left elbow

 

Vargas performed nicely BTW.

 

The Marlins certainly did underachieve. Quite frankly, if the team had played at all well over the last 5 games, we'd be 1 out of the WC and only 3 back of Atlanta. So his points about the 4 errors and the Mets games are dead in.

Sounds like someone who put a lot of money down on the fish to win it all.

 

 

 

 

 

:lol

I know you guys want to defend your team and all, but do you care to tell me what team has had a more disappointing year than the Marlins? You might not like his tone, but the overall message is correct. Too much talent to finish in 3rd place.

The Marlins have won 27 games coming from behind. Only the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates, two of the worst teams in the Majors because of low payroll, have fewer comeback wins.

 

That's it in a nutshell. A bullpen prone to collapse and an offense that doesn't perform in close games.

The offense is in another league of suckiness compared to the bullpen.

 

As for the article, yeah the Marlins suck, we get it.

I completely agree with this article. We're the 2004 Phillies

As much as I support my team, I think you must be blind to deny that our team doesnt suck going by what they should be doing with the kind of talent we have. Sure we have had worse records in our history, but we were expected to be bad in those years. This is just................... :plain

 

Sorry............... no words.

I know. It's a real let down after all the excitement that surrounded the beginning of the season. But that's baseball and we will continue to root the team on no matter what.

You really can't blame Jack for sticking with an underperforming Lowell for so long. After all ,before this he always came out of it.

Im no mathematician, but how can you lose 65 percent of your rotation from 5 players?

 

3 players = 60%

 

Did John Smoltz lose a few toes we dont know about?

They have the guy with the most pinch hits in Major League history, Lenny Harris.

that's where i stopped reading.

 

I KNEW someone was going to say something about that part :lol .

I"m going to email this guy when we make the playoffs...

They have closer Todd Jones who has converted 27 straight saves.

Research, please...

 

 

And they also had Cabrera's word for it that if the big three pitchers stayed healthy the Marlins would be in the playoffs.

 

Whoops.

 

Any day now, an envelope will appear in his mail. Fixed to a paper plate will be Cabrera's quote guaranteeing a spot in the postseason.

 

There will be a simple note.

 

"Miguel, eat this."

 

A 22 year old kid with the optimism of a giddy fan...Wow, that's uncommon.

 

The only hope for the Marlins is to sweep the Braves in Atlanta, sweep the Nationals in Miami, and finish with a sweep of the Braves in Miami. That assumes the Braves and Phillies collapse.

 

If the Marlins sweep both Braves' series, then they wouldn't necessarily have to sweep the Nats. They would be tied with the Braves, 'and' hold the tiebreak advantage.

 

 

 

What about the Braves? They lost 65 percent of their rotation to injury for most of the season, their closer was a bomb, their catcher has a bad back, and the two veteran corner outfielders they got in the offseason, Raul Mondesi and Brian Jordan, are shopping for retirement homes.

 

 

The Marlins 3B and CF also 'bombed', they relief pitching 'bombed', their middle infield was, indeed, plagued by injury the entire season, and their catcher is goin to be visiting that retirement home fairly soon if he doesn't get his gimp leg fixed.

 

 

 

Who is this guy??

 

FYI...it doesn't matter if the Marlins sweep both Braves' series, because if the Phillies win as well, they would have the division.

At least the author is optimistic for next season.

I know you guys want to defend your team and all, but do you care to tell me what team has had a more disappointing year than the Marlins? You might not like his tone, but the overall message is correct. Too much talent to finish in 3rd place.

 

I agree.

I disagree with the authors point that we have 3 of the best pitchers in baseball, Willis and Beckett have been top flight but Burnet has always been alot of hype with little results . Maybe you can say Burnett has top three talent but has never put it together on the field . This without a doubt is AJ's best year 12 wins a 500 record wow I am sure everyone will be lining up to give him the CY Young. The Marlins under achieved no doubt and while it is disappointing all of the Braves young players have produced I dont think you could expect the Marlins to be a stone cold lock for anything with their lack of depth and bullpen not to mention the unforseen collapse of Mike Lowell and even the falling apaprt of our bullpen ace Mota(before Jones emerged) . I am going to sit back enjoy the last 9 games and look forward to next year where the pressure wont be on us and even if we lose several "Names" from the team we still have the chance to make a run . D-Train , Becket, maybe Vargas or Olsen steps up it is possible we might be a better team .....Go Marlins and Go Gators!

I disagree with the authors point that we have 3 of the best pitchers in baseball, Willis and Beckett have been top flight but Burnet has always been alot of hype with little results . Maybe you can say Burnett has top three talent but has never put it together on the field . This without a doubt is AJ's best year 12 wins a 500 record wow I am sure everyone will be lining up to give him the CY Young. The Marlins under achieved no doubt and while it is disappointing all of the Braves young players have produced I dont think you could expect the Marlins to be a stone cold lock for anything with their lack of depth and bullpen not to mention the unforseen collapse of Mike Lowell and even the falling apaprt of our bullpen ace Mota(before Jones emerged) . I am going to sit back enjoy the last 9 games and look forward to next year where the pressure wont be on us and even if we lose several "Names" from the team we still have the chance to make a run . D-Train , Becket, maybe Vargas or Olsen steps up it is possible we might be a better team .....Go Marlins and Go Gators!

 

 

As I've stated before, the overall makeup of the team will not change very much. Hermida in RF, a new LF, Cabs to 3B, and even if Seabass signs away Andino will be the SS. The rotation will bring back Willis, Big Tex, and Vargas, and most likely Olsen(or Johnson, so there isn't 3 lefties, but most likely Olsen). The bullpen will bring back Alfonseca, Resop, Messenger, Villone, and Mota(whos got one year of arby left if I am not mistaken). Jones will probably be risigned as well. Theres a chance Pierre will be traded to the likely taker the Yankees who need a leadoff hitter and a CF, pipe dream would be to get Pavano back(he might be expendable since they'll probably try to sign Morris and Burnett). He would be replaced by Aguila. Hopefully the Twins and their many bullpen options still want Mikey.

 

So I guess what I am saying is, besides Pierre, Lowell, Burnett, Gonzalez, and Encarnacion, the overall makeup of the team will still be there.

I disagree with the authors point that we have 3 of the best pitchers in baseball, Willis and Beckett have been top flight but Burnet has always been alot of hype with little results . Maybe you can say Burnett has top three talent but has never put it together on the field . This without a doubt is AJ's best year 12 wins a 500 record wow I am sure everyone will be lining up to give him the CY Young. The Marlins under achieved no doubt and while it is disappointing all of the Braves young players have produced I dont think you could expect the Marlins to be a stone cold lock for anything with their lack of depth and bullpen not to mention the unforseen collapse of Mike Lowell and even the falling apaprt of our bullpen ace Mota(before Jones emerged) . I am going to sit back enjoy the last 9 games and look forward to next year where the pressure wont be on us and even if we lose several "Names" from the team we still have the chance to make a run . D-Train , Becket, maybe Vargas or Olsen steps up it is possible we might be a better team .....Go Marlins and Go Gators!

 

 

As I've stated before, the overall makeup of the team will not change very much. Hermida in RF, a new LF, Cabs to 3B, and even if Seabass signs away Andino will be the SS. The rotation will bring back Willis, Big Tex, and Vargas, and most likely Olsen(or Johnson, so there isn't 3 lefties, but most likely Olsen). The bullpen will bring back Alfonseca, Resop, Messenger, Villone, and Mota(whos got one year of arby left if I am not mistaken). Jones will probably be risigned as well. Theres a chance Pierre will be traded to the likely taker the Yankees who need a leadoff hitter and a CF, pipe dream would be to get Pavano back(he might be expendable since they'll probably try to sign Morris and Burnett). He would be replaced by Aguila. Hopefully the Twins and their many bullpen options still want Mikey.

 

So I guess what I am saying is, besides Pierre, Lowell, Burnett, Gonzalez, and Encarnacion, the overall makeup of the team will still be there.

 

I agree. The core of this team is still very strong and very much capable of winning a WS with the right pieces surrounding it and a good manager.

You guys gotta stop being homers.

 

I have come to the conclusion that this season has been the most dissapointing in our franchise history, surpassing 2002 and maybe even as morally defeating as '98.

 

:mad

You guys gotta stop being homers.

 

I have come to the conclusion that this season has been the most dissapointing in our franchise history, surpassing 2002 and maybe even as morally defeating as '98.

 

:mad

 

 

agreed