May 31, 200620 yr Notes: Ramirez proving to be a steal Cabrera needs help in All-Star voting; Olsen agrees to work hard MIAMI -- When Juan Pierre was traded to the Cubs last December, it was widely assumed that the Marlins would suffer a tremendous drop in stolen bases from the leadoff position. That hasn't been the case, as rookie shortstop Hanley Ramirez has become one of the prime basestealers in the league. The 22-year-old entered Tuesday with 16 stolen bases in 20 attempts. He's tied with Reds shortstop Felipe Lopez for second most steals in the National League, three behind Jose Reyes of the Mets. Ironically, Ramirez has one more stolen base than Pierre, who has 15 with the Cubs. "I think he can steal 50 bases," Marlins manager Joe Girardi said of Ramirez. "And I think he will get better as the season goes on." Girardi believes Ramirez's totals will pick up once he knows the league more and sees pitchers' tendencies in holding runners. Ramirez right now is in a bit of a stolen-base drought, going five straight games without a steal. He's been caught once in that stretch. One reason for the decline is he is in the midst of a 3-for-21 slump at the plate. While in the Red Sox system, Ramirez stole 112 bases in 454 Minor League games. He swiped 26 bases for Double-A Portland a year ago and has stolen as many as 36 bases (with Class A Augusta in 2003) before being traded to the Marlins last November. In terms of all-around production, Ramirez has also placed himself among the National League leaders in batting average, hits (57) and runs scored (43). Cabrera's star status: Voted into the All-Star Game the past two seasons by his peers, Miguel Cabrera is again having a star-studded season. While the 23-year-old Venezuelan slugger isn't among the top five vote getters among third basemen in the National League, Cabrera entered Tuesday leading the National League in hitting with a .343 average. Unlike the past few seasons, where he was playing mostly left field, Cabrera is now playing third base. The switch hasn't gone as smoothly in the field, where he has committed 10 errors. But at the plate, the slugger continues to show why he is one of the top hitters in the game. As the focal point on a young squad, Cabrera is seeing fewer pitches to hit than in the past. But he still has 62 hits, including eight home runs and 39 RBIs. His slugging percentage is .597. He's been walked 29 times, with nine intentional, and his on-base percentage is .437. Fans can vote for Cabrera and all the All-Star candidates on www.floridamarlins.com. Olsen's gem: After beating the Giants, 5-1, on Monday, left-hander Scott Olsen talked about the start being a do-or-die performance for him. Olsen felt his security with the club was in danger, and he wanted to avoid being optioned to the Minor Leagues. Girardi on Tuesday didn't feel Olsen was pitching for his job. "I would never put anybody in a do-or-die situation," Girardi said. Girardi joked that if such thoughts motivated a pitcher to toss seven strong innings, then they should go ahead and think that way. Olsen, though, did say that Girardi had delivered a strong message to the team about work habits. "Joe told us, 'Don't lose your job because you let someone outwork you,'" Olsen said. "We came to an agreement where I'm going to come in every day, work as hard as I can and see what the results are and what happens." Choking up: With such an emphasis on power hitting, Girardi says very few players in the league choke up. Still, Barry Bonds is one of the prime hitters to inch his hands up on the bat, creating a batting stance where he has mostly the barrel covering the plate. "One of the game's greatest hitters of all time, and he chokes up," Girardi said of Bonds. Asked how many players he sees who choke up, Girardi named just a few, including Mike Matheny, David Eckstein and Jason Giambi. "Some of the guys who have played with Barry or have been around Barry choke up," Girardi said. "They emulate him a little and choke up. But the number is very low."
May 31, 200620 yr cabrera is not in the top five of vote getters? that a joke, he has the highest OPS of any 3rd baseball AL and NL. You can factor in the defense but how is he not in the top five?
May 31, 200620 yr Shadez is better than anyone would ever imagine. He also should be in the All-star game. Right now Cabs is a lock to be in the All-star game Shadez may not make it because of the Marlins lack of media attention but he has earned his spot there already
May 31, 200620 yr cabrera is not in the top five of vote getters? that a joke, he has the highest OPS of any 3rd baseball AL and NL. You can factor in the defense but how is he not in the top five? You answered your own question. His D is terrible.
May 31, 200620 yr cabrera is not in the top five of vote getters? that a joke, he has the highest OPS of any 3rd baseball AL and NL. You can factor in the defense but how is he not in the top five? You answered your own question. His D is terrible. His D has not been terrible. Sure it was bad for the first month or so but he hasn't made any boneheaded fielding mistakes of late. In fact he's made some nice flashes of leather at the hot corner.
May 31, 200620 yr If Cabrera is in the All Star game, he'll be elected by the players. I have no idea what kind of season Rolen is having, but he'll be voted by the fans because he's on the Cardinals.
May 31, 200620 yr Starting in the All-Star Game is a popularity contest, nothing more. I mean, Griffey was elected to several All-Star teams a few years ago, despite not playing much at all. We don't have enough fan support anymore to vote a guy like Miguel onto the starting lineup.
May 31, 200620 yr Hanley stealing bases is all we need, getting him to scoring position with less then 2 outs really helps the chances of him scoring early. Cabs will prolly go to the All Star game but yet again not start, so dumb.
May 31, 200620 yr It's just that Cabs plays for the Marlins, that's it. Were he playing for the Red Sox or some other team...wait a minute, I know who the Red Sox are going to vote in...can anyone guess?
May 31, 200620 yr Starting in the All-Star Game is a popularity contest, nothing more. I mean, Griffey was elected to several All-Star teams a few years ago, despite not playing much at all. We don't have enough fan support anymore to vote a guy like Miguel onto the starting lineup. It proves how dumb fans can be, that the NL BA leader isn't a starter and can't get a vote, who cares about his D when he's the Batting Champ. On the same note as Griffey didn't Nomar get voted in last year even though he tore his hamstring off the bone?
May 31, 200620 yr cabs shadez and uggla all deserve to be in the all star game but not all of them will make it....hell maybe if jj keeps pitching great then he will get chosen by the managers but i doubt it
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