First spring game this year, seven rows back, right behind the plate. Pretty quick game ... should have been a super quick 1-0 Marlin win. Instead, it was Little League day in right field as Hermida totally botched two routine flyballs to deep right. To the hitters' discredit, both were unconscionably ruled as base hits.

Pitching: so so for both teams. Johnson threw three good innings and the pen held up fine for the final three innings. Nolasco didn't overpower anybody and gave up some deep fly balls ... but they should have been caught.

Defense: Oh boy. Not only did the two balls elude Hermida (the sun?), but Bonifacio dropped a cream puff foul pop, Hanley hacked a routine grounder, and Amezaga misplayed a perhaps playable grounder.

Offense: Some sharply hit balls turned into outs, but there were also too many strikeouts. Helms was the hitting star with three opposite field punches. I sure wish more of the Florida hitters would have settled for three hits of that variety .... or maybe one. Maybin looked good at the plate to me. Unfortunately, he made a major muff on the bases, turning a nice infield single into an out when he turned into fair territory rounding first and they ended up nailing him..... again, Little League stuff. Logan Morrison and Brett Carroll hit shots that were caught. Hermida homered but was also left in the game to face a lefthander ... against whom he predictably fanned without a chance of contact.

I think I'll wait for the real games to start before hitting the bleachers...

Spring Training isn't for players like Hanley Ramirez...not even Hermida. It's why Spring Training means nothing to me. They know they already made this team.

 

Spring Training is for the Bonifacio's of the world.

 

And, looking at the box score there was some good news.

Calero pitched a scoreless inning, and K'd 1, and Tankersley K'd the side in the inning he pitched. Those 2 can be the guys we're looking for in the pen to help out. Who knows?

 

That's really all I track in Spring Training. The pitchers...b/c as far as position players go, I think the starting lineup is pretty much set, pending any trades.

Hermida was in left, but i know what you meant.

I was there too, about 6 or 7 rows back of home to the left of it. I posted this in another thread earlier. Ricky pitched well and so did JJ. Tank struck the side out also, cant remember the inning. Hermida looked like a top out in left field spinning around letting two balls drop in. He was seeing the ball good at the plate though, hit a rocket to the right fielder then a homer over the right field fence. Maybin also hit the ball well twice. Logan ripped one at the 2nd basmen but he caught it. Helms hit 3 nice line drives between 1st and 2nd. Bonerface had to good abs where he walked. Hanley also had an bal go right under his glove and so did fredo.

Kind of a boring game but just great to be out there seeing some baseball.

Spring Training isn't for players like Hanley Ramirez...not even Hermida. It's why Spring Training means nothing to me. They know they already made this team.

 

Spring Training is for the Bonifacio's of the world.

 

Huh? :blink:

 

Spring Training is certainly for guys like Hanley and Hermida. It serves as a transition from the offseason to the regular season. Just think what would happen if Hanley and Hermida showed up on opening day without having seen a Major League pitch for 6 months...They'd look pretty rusty up there.

I was there as well. Loved the big ovation Hermida got when he finally caught one.. He was good sport, and tipped his cap . Haha.

Spring Training isn't for players like Hanley Ramirez...not even Hermida. It's why Spring Training means nothing to me. They know they already made this team.

 

Spring Training is for the Bonifacio's of the world.

 

Huh? :blink:

 

Spring Training is certainly for guys like Hanley and Hermida. It serves as a transition from the offseason to the regular season. Just think what would happen if Hanley and Hermida showed up on opening day without having seen a Major League pitch for 6 months...They'd look pretty rusty up there.

 

 

I agree....until Hanley Ramirez learns how to make the routine play, he will continue to be a BELOW average defensive player. He needs all the practice he can get.

Spring Training isn't for players like Hanley Ramirez...not even Hermida. It's why Spring Training means nothing to me. They know they already made this team.

 

Spring Training is for the Bonifacio's of the world.

 

Huh? :blink:

 

Spring Training is certainly for guys like Hanley and Hermida. It serves as a transition from the offseason to the regular season. Just think what would happen if Hanley and Hermida showed up on opening day without having seen a Major League pitch for 6 months...They'd look pretty rusty up there.

 

 

I agree....until Hanley Ramirez learns how to make the routine play, he will continue to be a BELOW average defensive player. He needs all the practice he can get.

He isn't a below average defender.

Spring Training isn't for players like Hanley Ramirez...not even Hermida. It's why Spring Training means nothing to me. They know they already made this team.

 

Spring Training is for the Bonifacio's of the world.

 

Huh? :blink:

 

Spring Training is certainly for guys like Hanley and Hermida. It serves as a transition from the offseason to the regular season. Just think what would happen if Hanley and Hermida showed up on opening day without having seen a Major League pitch for 6 months...They'd look pretty rusty up there.

 

 

I agree....until Hanley Ramirez learns how to make the routine play, he will continue to be a BELOW average defensive player. He needs all the practice he can get.

He isn't a below average defender.

 

I wouldn't say that just yet. Just because he rated as slightly above average last year according to Dewan's +/- system doesn't automatically erase his terrible defense in his rookie and sophomore campaigns. He still made a bunch of errors last year, and I know errors aren't very good measures of defense, but when you gather as many as Hanley has, they can't be ignored. I think we need to see a little bit more than one season until we dub him an above average fielder.

Was there as well in my usual left field bleacher seats. Posted my thoughts in the other thread but I'll put them here too.

 

Just got back.

 

Marlins were hitting the ball hard but the Orioles played some very good defense. Nolasco looked a little off while pitching and walked back to the back fields then to the clubhouse with the trainer. May be some cause for concern here.

 

Bonifacio actually looked good at 3B and almost made a great play, ranging to his right but he had to throw off-balance and the throw went just high. I definitely think he could have a future at the position, though. And he actually didn't K today. Instead he took two walks. Good things all around from him despite the error of course but that's to be expected from a guy learning a new position. It was also a pop-up and I don't think he was wearing shades.

 

Helms was seeing the ball well and made solid contact all three times.

 

Johnson threw well. Was really working out the heat. Made Justin Christian look downright silly in the strikeout AB, getting him on three pitches.

 

Hermida proved he's still his same old defensive self despite the positional switch to LF as he lost two fly balls in the sun (to his defense, it was really beating down today. Hardly any cloud cover at all) but made up for it with the homer.

 

Was an absolutely gorgeous day for a ballgame and a good time was had despite the loss. I'll be out there again on Thursday.

 

I got some great pics. Will post soon.

Spring Training isn't for players like Hanley Ramirez...not even Hermida. It's why Spring Training means nothing to me. They know they already made this team.

 

Spring Training is for the Bonifacio's of the world.

 

Huh? :blink:

 

Spring Training is certainly for guys like Hanley and Hermida. It serves as a transition from the offseason to the regular season. Just think what would happen if Hanley and Hermida showed up on opening day without having seen a Major League pitch for 6 months...They'd look pretty rusty up there.

 

 

I agree....until Hanley Ramirez learns how to make the routine play, he will continue to be a BELOW average defensive player. He needs all the practice he can get.

He isn't a below average defender.

 

I wouldn't say that just yet. Just because he rated as slightly above average last year according to Dewan's +/- system doesn't automatically erase his terrible defense in his rookie and sophomore campaigns. He still made a bunch of errors last year, and I know errors aren't very good measures of defense, but when you gather as many as Hanley has, they can't be ignored. I think we need to see a little bit more than one season until we dub him an above average fielder.

I never said he was above average. I feel he's merely average.

I never said he was above average. I feel he's merely average.

 

 

I'd hate to argue with you but.....

 

Hanley had the worst fielding % among starting SS in 2008 and the worst among qualified candidates in all of the majors last year- hardly an average fielder. His 22 errors led the majors among SS.

 

His glove and his potential are two different things. He needs to improve.

 

If you want to view this and get analytical....an above average shortstop has a fielding % of about .977. The past 3 years Hanley is at .963, .963, and .967.

 

Might not look that bad until you realize in 2006 he had 26 errors (3rd to last among SS), in 2007 he had 24 errors (2nd to last among SS), and in 2008 he had 22 errors (last among SS).

 

His 3 year total of 72 errors is LAST in the majors among starting SS. He has 3 errors in 3 spring training games.

 

I am a huge Hanley fan but look at facts. Right now, he IS below average.

I'd hate to argue with you but.....

 

Hanley had the worst fielding % among starting SS in 2008 and the worst among qualified candidates in all of the majors last year- hardly an average fielder. His 22 errors led the majors among SS.

 

His glove and his potential are two different things. He needs to improve.

 

If you want to view this and get analytical....an above average shortstop has a fielding % of about .977. The past 3 years Hanley is at .963, .963, and .967.

 

Might not look that bad until you realize in 2006 he had 26 errors (3rd to last among SS), in 2007 he had 24 errors (2nd to last among SS), and in 2008 he had 22 errors (last among SS).

 

His 3 year total of 72 errors is LAST in the majors among starting SS. He has 3 errors in 3 spring training games.

 

I am a huge Hanley fan but look at facts. Right now, he IS below average.

Fielding percentage is a terrible way to measure defense. It punishes guys for being able to make it to a ball that most guys can't even sniff at.

 

Last year Hanley was slightly above average in +/- and in 2006 he was slightly below average. In 2007, he was very below average, but I don't see that happening again.

It's good to see some others getting some time in at 3B. Coghlan is getting alot of duty there and looks okay. Dallas not so good. He misplayed a foul ball that should have been an out on Friday (pulled a Jeremy, so to speak), and let one go between his legs for an error soon after that. But I'll give him some credit, the guy can look at a called 3rd strike with the best of them.

 

Of course I've only been to one game so far so it's really unfair of me to be judgemental. But right now I would say if Gaby dosen't pan out at 1B and Cantu gets shifted there, Coghlan gets the nod at 3B and Dallas gets to enjoy some Cajun cuisine. Should be interesting to see how this plays out once Cantu is gone for Team Mexico. I just wasn't impressed with what I saw of Dallas last ST, and even less from what I have seen this ST. But like I said, I've only seen one game so far. I try to be open minded about him, just find it harder and harder to be so. Speed, defense, pitching. Remind me again where he fits in?? Oh yea, that's right. The guy hit 40-some-odd bombs in AAA last year. Somebody notify the HOF.

It's good to see some others getting some time in at 3B. Coghlan is getting alot of duty there and looks okay. Dallas not so good. He misplayed a foul ball that should have been an out on Friday (pulled a Jeremy, so to speak), and let one go between his legs for an error soon after that.

Come on, that's not right.

 

 

Seriously, because everyone knows a "Jeremy" is when you try to one handed catch a lazy fly ball and drop it.

You know everyone rips on hanley's d but I remember when Alex gonzalez first came up and his d was terrible. In Gonzalez's first 3 years he had 27, 19, and 26 errors. He finally go bettter in 03. Hnaley's 1st 3 years he had 26,24, and 22.

So lets give the guy a chance on D.

Was there as well in my usual left field bleacher seats. Posted my thoughts in the other thread but I'll put them here too.

 

Just got back.

 

Marlins were hitting the ball hard but the Orioles played some very good defense. Nolasco looked a little off while pitching and walked back to the back fields then to the clubhouse with the trainer. May be some cause for concern here.

 

Bonifacio actually looked good at 3B and almost made a great play, ranging to his right but he had to throw off-balance and the throw went just high. I definitely think he could have a future at the position, though. And he actually didn't K today. Instead he took two walks. Good things all around from him despite the error of course but that's to be expected from a guy learning a new position. It was also a pop-up and I don't think he was wearing shades.

 

Helms was seeing the ball well and made solid contact all three times.

 

Johnson threw well. Was really working out the heat. Made Justin Christian look downright silly in the strikeout AB, getting him on three pitches.

 

Hermida proved he's still his same old defensive self despite the positional switch to LF as he lost two fly balls in the sun (to his defense, it was really beating down today. Hardly any cloud cover at all) but made up for it with the homer.

 

Was an absolutely gorgeous day for a ballgame and a good time was had despite the loss. I'll be out there again on Thursday.

 

I got some great pics. Will post soon.

 

Nothing to worry about. He ran his poles on the back fields then went to the clubhouse to porbably shower and change. Johnson did the same thing.

You know everyone rips on hanley's d but I remember when Alex gonzalez first came up and his d was terrible. In Gonzalez's first 3 years he had 27, 19, and 26 errors. He finally go bettter in 03. Hnaley's 1st 3 years he had 26,24, and 22.

So lets give the guy a chance on D.

There are many examples of that. It should be noted that Ozzie Smith aka the Wizard of Oz aka the greatest shortstop ever started with 25, 20, and 24 errors.

I sat behind homeplate but I couldn't concentrate on the game because I had two little wieners sitting behind me that wouldn't STFU. The whole time it was "strike him out Ricky!", "You can do it, Amezaga!" and so on. They wouldn't shut up throughout any of the at bats and people kept looking back. I'm all for getting loud at games, but for god's sake save it for a crucial situation or when the team actually does something and don't repeat sh*t over and over again. If you're those kids' parents, please feel free to drown them in a tub and put bullets in your heads afterwards.

It's good to see some others getting some time in at 3B. Coghlan is getting alot of duty there and looks okay. Dallas not so good. He misplayed a foul ball that should have been an out on Friday (pulled a Jeremy, so to speak), and let one go between his legs for an error soon after that.

Come on, that's not right.

 

 

Seriously, because everyone knows a "Jeremy" is when you try to one handed catch a lazy fly ball and drop it.

 

My mistake. My apologies to Dallas and his fans here. There was also a little breeze blowing here Friday. Not enough to make that much of a difference, IMO, but it was a breeze.

 

But let's not forget about Baker on Friday either. He finally throws a base stealer out and then bobbles a little dribbler in front of the plate to let the hitter reach 1B. No error called.

I sat behind homeplate but I couldn't concentrate on the game because I had two little wieners sitting behind me that wouldn't STFU. The whole time it was "strike him out Ricky!", "You can do it, Amezaga!" and so on. They wouldn't shut up throughout any of the at bats and people kept looking back. I'm all for getting loud at games, but for god's sake save it for a crucial situation or when the team actually does something and don't repeat sh*t over and over again. If you're those kids' parents, please feel free to drown them in a tub and put bullets in your heads afterwards.

 

 

You planning to be a father one day?? That could be interesting to watch.

I sat behind homeplate but I couldn't concentrate on the game because I had two little wieners sitting behind me that wouldn't STFU. The whole time it was "strike him out Ricky!", "You can do it, Amezaga!" and so on. They wouldn't shut up throughout any of the at bats and people kept looking back. I'm all for getting loud at games, but for god's sake save it for a crucial situation or when the team actually does something and don't repeat sh*t over and over again. If you're those kids' parents, please feel free to drown them in a tub and put bullets in your heads afterwards.

 

 

You planning to be a father one day?? That could be interesting to watch.

 

After hearing those two yesterday, I've decided not to have any kids.

I sat behind homeplate but I couldn't concentrate on the game because I had two little wieners sitting behind me that wouldn't STFU. The whole time it was "strike him out Ricky!", "You can do it, Amezaga!" and so on. They wouldn't shut up throughout any of the at bats and people kept looking back. I'm all for getting loud at games, but for god's sake save it for a crucial situation or when the team actually does something and don't repeat sh*t over and over again. If you're those kids' parents, please feel free to drown them in a tub and put bullets in your heads afterwards.

 

 

You planning to be a father one day?? That could be interesting to watch.

 

After hearing those two yesterday, I've decided not to have any kids.

 

Wise choice for mankind.

 

But remind me. Last year, weren't you the one that said you had to teach us Marlins fans how to cheer for our team like they do up north? Cussing out players with families near your seats?