MIAMI - The latest thrift-shop incarnation of the Florida Marlins is likely to lose two-thirds of its games in a long season that commences Monday.

 

Local baseball aficionados can view the five-month marathon in one of two ways: Excruciating or entertaining.

 

If you keep reminding yourself that baseball is a game - in fact, it might be useful to develop a calming mantra such as "It's only a game" - then you should be able to extract enjoyment from this plucky, wacky team.

 

At the moment, it's a roster full of no-name players. Dan Uggla was introduced at the team banquet as Dave Uggla. But Uggla, a cast-off who is getting a second chance with the Marlins, presents us with the kind of underdog odyssey that could be fun to follow.

 

Either that or choke on your Crackerjack as you watch what was once a Gold Glove infield degenerate into butter fingers.

 

Two years after winning the World Series, the 2005 Marlins finished 28th of 30 teams in attendance, ahead of only the awful Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Kansas City Royals.

 

Owner Jeffrey Loria deserves credit for never lashing out about the lousy support here for a good team. He realized he overpaid for last year's roster, which had a payroll of $65 million but failed to make the playoffs. He has also run into one dead end after another on a South Florida stadium deal, and continuing to be a tenant of Wayne Huizenga is going to result in more financial losses.

 

So Loria did what he's done so often at Sotheby's. He held an auction. Except that as an art dealer, he has never unloaded as many masters as he did this winter.

 

Of the eight position players from the 2005 starting lineup, seven are gone, as are two of the three top pitchers and the best closer. Four players are left from the 2003 championship team. Only two players - Dontrelle Willis and Brian Moehler - will make more than $1 million in salary.

 

Loria said he had to cut, but no one expected such drastic downsizing.

 

The Marlins did the same thing under Huizenga after the 1997 World Series title, and look what rose from those ashes. This time around, the Marlins have one of the smartest general managers in the game, Admin Beinfest, moving the pieces. The other difference is that Huizenga's fire sale embittered fans. Loria's moves were met with numb ennui.

 

The Marlins have been transformed from the most talented team in the National League to the most unknown. But all is not lost for true baseball fans, or anyone who appreciates the fringe.

 

Think of these Marlins as an Off-Off-Broadway production. Or a garage band. Or a low-budget documentary.

 

Even the Rolling Stones started small, and they wound up in the Super Bowl!

 

Give these guys a chance.

 

Let's start with ace Willis. Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett were not lovable. But Willis has not lost a bit of his charm. When he is on the mound, the ballpark atmosphere is electric. Amazing things happen when D-Train delivers. After winning 22 games last year, he will be pitching under adverse conditions almost every outing this year. The vacuum cleaners of the infield have departed, as have the big bats. The bullpen is a question mark. Can Willis keep smiling?

 

CABRERA MUST COMMIT

 

Miguel Cabrera is the other returning star. He, too, is worth watching as he moves from the outfield to third base. Since the second half of the 2003 season, Cabrera, 22, has bashed his way into the top 10 of all major leaguers. He's like a slightly younger version of Albert Pujols. But this is the year he has to prove he has the dedication of a legitimate superstar. His laziness got on the nerves of his veteran teammates last fall, and they called a meeting to scold him. They also told him to cut out the late nights and late arrivals at the clubhouse. Naturally pudgy, Cabrera put on weight in the offseason. His maturation will be as interesting to track as his hitting numbers.

 

Among the newcomers, Hanley Ramirez takes over for Alex Gonzalez at shortstop. The Red Sox were reluctant to part with their best prospect. Ramirez, who grew up in the Dominican Republic, is a flashy fielder. He can hit and steal bases with style as well.

 

Right fielder Jeremy Hermida hit a grand slam in his first at-bat when he was called up last year. He's already being murmured about as NL Rookie of the Year.

 

Mike Jacobs hit four home runs in his first four games with the Mets last year. Could he pick up where Carlos Delgado left off?

 

ROOKIE IN CHARGE

 

Another rookie to observe is manager Joe Girardi, a former catcher who is getting his first shot as skipper.

 

Septuagenarian Jack McKeon liked to smoke cigars and tell stories. Sometimes he forgot the names of his players. But it'll smell different in the clubhouse this season. Girardi is new-school. He's bright, he's blunt, he's feisty. He's already been ejected for arguing with an umpire - in a spring training game. He wants to play aggressive baseball. He knows the names of his players, even if nobody else does.

 

Much is mysterious about the Marlins, except that it's going to be a trying year. Comical at times, depressing at others. But fans ought to appreciate this work in progress, because the next time we wave goodbye to the Marlins, it could be to the entire franchise.

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews...ts/14241937.htm

nice article...is it the 3rd yet?

god, i wish it was the 3rd already. very good article read

This will be the lead Marlins article in the Miami Herald, tomorrow, Sunday, the day before Opening Day.

 

It didn't take rocket science to know the Herald would trot out the most rabid of all Marlins-haters, madame Linda Robertson, to poison-pen this piece. No opening day meant to diminish the Marlins in the eyes of it's readers could go by with a piece the the wicked witch of One Herald Sq.

 

I suppose it could have been worse. But then again, it's the Herald.

This will be the lead Marlins article in the Miami Herald, tomorrow, Sunday, the day before Opening Day.

 

It didn't take rocket science to know the Herald would trot out the most rabid of all Marlins-haters, madame Linda Robertson, to poison-pen this piece. No opening day meant to diminish the Marlins in the eyes of it's readers could go by with a piece the the wicked witch of One Herald Sq.

 

I suppose it could have been worse. But then again, it's the Herald.

 

 

Terrific. While they're at it, perhaps just before the opening of the UM football season the Herald can re-print Linda's article about how she thinks the university should change its name from the Hurricanes because it's insensitive. :lol

 

I've never been able to ascertain exactly what sport Linda Robertson either enjoys or is qualified to write about.

Not necessarily directed at you 2003, but all who feel that the media constantly has an axe to grind, and if you want to respond, be my guest.

 

If every article about the organization (at least for the last 3 of the last 4 years and certainly for the majority of the franchise's existence with three seperate ownerships) spews venom towards the organization, one must realize that perhaps the problem isn't the writers, but the organization itself. I mean, to use a phrase, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if everyone has a problem with the me, then maybe the problem is me and not the other people.

 

Maybe the organization, and the fans, need to realize that we/they can't keep passing the buck and realize that most of the criticism and unkind words are completely justified.

Not necessarily directed at you 2003, but all who feel that the media constantly has an axe to grind, and if you want to respond, be my guest.

 

If every article about the organization (at least for the last 3 of the last 4 years and certainly for the majority of the franchise's existence with three seperate ownerships) spews venom towards the organization, one must realize that perhaps the problem isn't the writers, but the organization itself. I mean, to use a phrase, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if everyone has a problem with the me, then maybe the problem is me and not the other people.

 

Maybe the organization, and the fans, need to realize that we/they can't keep passing the buck and realize that most of the criticism and unkind words are completely justified.

 

Still mad about the season ticket thing huh?

 

There is not another major league city in America that displays the lack of and type of coverage the Marlins have been forced to endure over the last decade. This season has hit a new low. For a a local news outlet to systematically ignore the local ML franchise, for whatever reason, is an embarrassment to everyone living here.

 

Your attitude that it's the franchise's fault is ludicrous. Like ownership or not, the obligation on the part of the media is to cover the news, and the Marlins are news. There is NO JUSTIFICATION for not covering the team, none.

There is NO JUSTIFICATION for not covering the team, none.

 

 

For not covering the team there are a lot of articles floating around on these boards every day. Considering it is the offseason and everything.

Not necessarily directed at you 2003, but all who feel that the media constantly has an axe to grind, and if you want to respond, be my guest.

 

If every article about the organization (at least for the last 3 of the last 4 years and certainly for the majority of the franchise's existence with three seperate ownerships) spews venom towards the organization, one must realize that perhaps the problem isn't the writers, but the organization itself. I mean, to use a phrase, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if everyone has a problem with the me, then maybe the problem is me and not the other people.

 

Maybe the organization, and the fans, need to realize that we/they can't keep passing the buck and realize that most of the criticism and unkind words are completely justified.

 

Still mad about the season ticket thing huh?

 

There is not another major league city in America that displays the lack of and type of coverage the Marlins have been forced to endure over the last decade. This season has hit a new low. For a a local news outlet to systematically ignore the local ML franchise, for whatever reason, is an embarrassment to everyone living here.

 

Your attitude that it's the franchise's fault is ludicrous. Like ownership or not, the obligation on the part of the media is to cover the news, and the Marlins are news. There is NO JUSTIFICATION for not covering the team, none.

 

There's a difference between piss-poor coverage and having an axe to grind.

 

Is this market among "competitve" baseball teams bar-none the worst for coverage? Absolutely.

 

Are the opinion pieces harsh? Yes, but often times deservedly so.

 

That's all my point is, I agree that the media is pathetic, but I don't buy into the conspiracy that every media outlet has it out for the Marlins and has had it out for more or less the last 10 years. There's no common thread of the last ten years other than bad/dishonest ownership and poor fan support, and doesn't that deserve criticism?

I personally think a team with a lot of energy and enthuasism that is enjoyable to watch but only wins 60 games is better a team of underacheiving veterans who finish with barely a winning record.

Who are the four players that remain from the championship year? Dontrelle and Cabs, and who else? Is Bump included?

I really hate the title to this thread

Actually the article isn't that negative, just kinda in the middle....

 

and that title of the article is from the San Jose paper.

The Herald's title for the same article is "Enjoy the fringe: Give 'em a chance."

 

& I like this part:

Think of these Marlins as an Off-Off-Broadway production. Or a garage band. Or a low-budget documentary.

 

Even the Rolling Stones started small, and they wound up in the Super Bowl!

 

Give these guys a chance.

Not necessarily directed at you 2003, but all who feel that the media constantly has an axe to grind, and if you want to respond, be my guest.

 

If every article about the organization (at least for the last 3 of the last 4 years and certainly for the majority of the franchise's existence with three seperate ownerships) spews venom towards the organization, one must realize that perhaps the problem isn't the writers, but the organization itself. I mean, to use a phrase, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if everyone has a problem with the me, then maybe the problem is me and not the other people.

 

Maybe the organization, and the fans, need to realize that we/they can't keep passing the buck and realize that most of the criticism and unkind words are completely justified.

 

Three seperate ownerships. Four unique administrations. Countless attempts to foster a relationship with the media and fans. And you think there's a problem with all the former? No, sir, that suggests there's something wrong with the expectations of the latter if anything.

Not necessarily directed at you 2003, but all who feel that the media constantly has an axe to grind, and if you want to respond, be my guest.

 

If every article about the organization (at least for the last 3 of the last 4 years and certainly for the majority of the franchise's existence with three seperate ownerships) spews venom towards the organization, one must realize that perhaps the problem isn't the writers, but the organization itself. I mean, to use a phrase, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if everyone has a problem with the me, then maybe the problem is me and not the other people.

 

Maybe the organization, and the fans, need to realize that we/they can't keep passing the buck and realize that most of the criticism and unkind words are completely justified.

 

Three seperate ownerships. Four unique administrations. Countless attempts to foster a relationship with the media and fans. And you think there's a problem with all the former? No, sir, that suggests there's something wrong with the expectations of the latter if anything.

 

How have they tried to foster a relationship? Hiking up prices as the product gets worse? Or lie about the nature of their contribution to funding their own stadium locally? I mean you can only lie so much and when you keep pulling out, this is the Xth biggest contribution ever, and all it is is rent payments and you aren't paying to actually build the thing, yeah people can see through that. Having the team Prez. running around making snide comments about the favorite team in the area, and the owner of that team, you aren't going to win most people over. Nor do fans or people in general like to hear millionaires and billionaires whine about being broke or having no money.

 

And the media calls it as they see it. Should every article put out be about how the Marlins could win 100+ games this year? Hasn't the media been rather spot on about this franchise? They been saying since the World Series win that things would go downhill, and things have gone downhill. I think the media also remembers Loria and Samson as the defendants in the RICO case and as the guys who took computers along with them out of Montreal. I mean come on.

 

I guess ESPN just has an axe to grind against him too:

When Loria bought the Expos, he presented himself as the franchise's savior. Just a few years later, however, he sold the team to buy the Marlins, taking everything with him he could sneak past customs, including computers, scouting reports, two complete sets of autographed jerseys, life-size cutouts of Vladimir Guerrero and a box of signed baseballs. It was as if he sent in Ruben Rivera for a final pass through the clubhouse.

Have they? Of course they've tried. Every year there's been incredible promotion to get people to the ballpark and follow the team. They've supported charities. They've worked with community organizations. They've done everything that every major league club does.

 

That some fans and media are not content with that is not a statement of the Marlins, but of the expectations of the fans and media. Which you can see so clearly in the sense of entitlement that they refuse to pay the established price of hosting a MLB team.

When Loria bought the Expos, he presented himself as the franchise's savior. Just a few years later, however, he sold the team to buy the Marlins, taking everything with him he could sneak past customs, including computers, scouting reports, two complete sets of autographed jerseys, life-size cutouts of Vladimir Guerrero and a box of signed baseballs. It was as if he sent in Ruben Rivera for a final pass through the clubhouse.

 

 

is that true? :lol what a dirtbag.

More or less. Ownership of the Expos wasn't worth $120M. Their capital assets were. MLB, who orchestrated the sale, was a willing partner in this transfer.

Have they? Of course they've tried. Every year there's been incredible promotion to get people to the ballpark and follow the team. They've supported charities. They've worked with community organizations. They've done everything that every major league club does.

 

That some fans and media are not content with that is not a statement of the Marlins, but of the expectations of the fans and media. Which you can see so clearly in the sense of entitlement that they refuse to pay the established price of hosting a MLB team.

 

 

But how hard have they tried? I mean would you say they tried this year? I don't get season tickets but from my understanding the relations office is horrid towards the fans if you call up to talk to them. Prices this year are higher than last year and the product is worse.

 

Are they trying to make a difference or trying just enough so they can say it's not their fault? If all you read is what Loria and Samson say you would think they are the two best people ever in baseball. And that is telling because it is not true. You have to ask yourself something, do you think Loria's goal is getting a thriving franchise in S. Fla, or getting a thriving franchise where someone pays for a stadium for him? He played this game in Montreal already. The attendance has went up since 2002 every year, albiet the growth between 2004 and 2005 was small, but it was about 100,000 extra fans through the gates. He has shown no patience to try and rebuild the pain down here. And now with the latest moves the attendance will take a tumble.

 

 

 

 

When Loria bought the Expos, he presented himself as the franchise's savior. Just a few years later, however, he sold the team to buy the Marlins, taking everything with him he could sneak past customs, including computers, scouting reports, two complete sets of autographed jerseys, life-size cutouts of Vladimir Guerrero and a box of signed baseballs. It was as if he sent in Ruben Rivera for a final pass through the clubhouse.

 

 

is that true? :lol what a dirtbag.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/caple_jim/1362483.html

 

It's from this article I remember hearing it from outside of this article.

Have they? Of course they've tried. Every year there's been incredible promotion to get people to the ballpark and follow the team. They've supported charities. They've worked with community organizations. They've done everything that every major league club does.

 

That some fans and media are not content with that is not a statement of the Marlins, but of the expectations of the fans and media. Which you can see so clearly in the sense of entitlement that they refuse to pay the established price of hosting a MLB team.

 

 

Weren't you the one who said the organization hasn't invested money into community relations because the future of the team in South Fla was unknown? :mischief2

loria & co. don't have a great reputation in the baseball world. the media in so. florida has been biased (but, in reality, the marlins ownership gets bashed all over the country, not just so. florida), but this ownership has made its fair share of mistakes. plenty of blame to go around. the city of miami, the local media for being so bad, and ownership.

I said they can not invest long-term efforts into community relations. They can not afford to make that promise, nor can they afford for that investment to be a waste of resources should they have any reason (and there's many) to believe it shall ultimately fail.

 

I believe that this isn't quite an issue of the Marlins' inability to reach out, but some unhappy with their efforts. There's a disconnect in each side's expectations of what is necessary. However, that this has been a consistent criticism of the Marlins over a number of ownership groups, something's up. If anything, each at fault.

 

It's amusing the efforts people take to stick up for the fans. It's admirable in many ways, but it's getting to the point where it's the same people with the same diatribes and no support.

It's amusing the efforts people take to stick up for the fans. It's admirable in many ways, but it's getting to the point where it's the same people with the same diatribes and no support.

 

 

Isn't that all Loria and Samson do? They contest the fans down here deserve an MLB team and the only reason they don't have a good one to root for right now is not their fault it is the evil evil Wayne's fault and evil evil Miami-Dade who won't free them of the grips of the evil Wayne. Not to mention they also believe the fans and community have earned a brand new stadium and it is wrong to make those fans have to deal with heat and rain.

Yep. We need to move beyond the rhetoric, especially MLB and the Marlins.

Whoever wrote the article, or where it appeared...what's the difference. I personally feel that it was well written, pretty realistic, somewhat humorous, and about as positive about the team as you can be as an impartial journalist. I think the best thing to do is look to the future, don't dwell on the past. And during the year cheer at the player's individual victories when they make a nice play...and laugh when they boot a ball into the stands. Just hope nobody gets hurt badly.