My favorite thing about opening day (besides Publix Chicken Tender subs) is people who are so starved for baseball that they take every little thing and blow it completely out of proportion.

 

If this game had happened in May nobody would have any comments beyond "Gaby had a bad day". We all assume that opening day has to be indicative of some larger truth, because of how much importance we put on it. But it's just one game, no different than any other. I'm no more worried about anyone than I was yesterday.

 

 

 

If this game happened in May, we would have already had two months to evaluate the players and their abilities. In your example you're taking it for granted that the players have already fielded adequately throughout the season so far, otherwise they would be in the positions they are in currently.

 

If this game is indicitave of something to come, then we have a problem. Hustling/calling for balls in the outfield and stretching for them/catching them at first base should be a given in high school, let alone at this level.

 

I saw at least five plays today that Gaby played poorly. Two times today he seemed to lazy to stretch, he dropped a ball that wasn't even in the dirt, and for both of the "wild throws" to first base he barely came off the base and he was able to get his glove on the ball both times. Commiting all of these mistakes in a single game is unexcusable, no matter what time of the year in which it occurs.

How is Gaby at 3rd?

Horrible.

What happens when he has to stretch for a bad throw and save a run or something?

 

This:

I saw at least five plays today that Gaby played poorly. Two times today he seemed to lazy to stretch, he dropped a ball that wasn't even in the dirt, and for both of the "wild throws" to first base he barely came off the base and he was able to get his glove on the ball both times. Commiting all of these mistakes in a single game is unexcusable, no matter what time of the year in which it occurs.

 

Okay, while I agree with the whole "he needs to stretch" thing and that dropped ball was ridiculously bad, but to blame him for not getting those throws is silly. I just watch that inning looking for the screencap I just posted, and he made all the effort in the world on those. Especially with the second one, he was a good 3 feet from the bag when the throw bounced off the tippy top of his glove. The problem there was that he going forward, as a first baseman is supposed to on a pickoff throw to second, so he couldn't exactly jump back to catch it.

So with all of the Opening-Day-loss raging aside, what do you all think of Maybin's ability to bounce back on Wednesday. He's young and he basically failed today in every aspect he was sent down to correct.

 

I'm just worried that this is going to rattle him and crush his self-esteem, and in turn translate to a terrible performance.

 

 

Also, on a lighter note: The 2003 Marlins' opening day featured 3 errors by sound defenders (Lowell, Castillo, and one more that I can't remember,) and Beckett getting chased out after a few innings. So yea, no biggie. It's actually pretty cool we made 3 errors this season too #

What happens when he has to stretch for a bad throw and save a run or something?

 

This:

 

 

 

One play isn't going to make me ignore the 3 or 4 he looked stupid on. I mean, I see your point here, but it was one play, and he just looked consistently horrible the rest of the day.

Well, at least he looked good at the plate...

Lord and Saints preserve us, its just one game.

I loved Gaby's first AB in particular and he did well at the plate in the game. Maybin.... he looked like he was completely clueless, but we'll see how that turns around on Wednesday.

 

As for the defense of both people.... eh, but its still early. I think Maybin in particular will work out nicely for us.

Hes too short to be a 1B. Given who our infielders are Id rather have a bigger target for them. Uggla and Cantu sail throws and Hanley had issues with that as well prior to last year. I think the whole not stretching thing is a product of him being short. If he stretches that target gets smaller. Maybe they told him to try and not stretch as much. He did give a few very good at bats today though which is nice. But as far as defensively I really dont think hes that good.

 

To those who may know, whats the issue with him at 3rd?

As someone else pointed out, I'll start worrying about his defense if this keeps up when it's not a day game with 22 MPH winds.

 

 

 

I agree. Im more worried about the fact that he looked terrible at the plate and let the ball drop without giving really much effort than his route running or ability to read the ball. with that being said it was the first game and he was not the only problem. if he is the biggest problem we have this year i think we will be fine

 

 

You do realize some of that is on the IFers as well. They know the conditions they are playing in and have to make a better effort. See anyone pointing the ball out? Se anyone coming even close to making the catch? What I saw was a 2B and SS lolloygagging and hoping the CF makes the play.

I'm going to let off Maybin and Gaby (solid at the plate though today) based on Opening Day nerves. We have a very winnable matchup on Wednesday so hopefully the overall team performance is better.

 

Main thing which caught my eye today - Hanley was fantastic in the field.

 

 

 

Gaby wasn't Opening Day nerves. Stretching is something basic that a 1B should know. That ball in the 1st inning is a double play if he stretches...every play where he had to stretch, it looked like he was playing catch. How the hell did he win a gold glove in the minors?

 

Ya know how bad I got bashed during ST (this year and last year) for saying things like this on these boards and others? Want me to once again explain why he looked so good defensively at A and AA ball?

 

He can't move to his left, he can't stretch, he can't leave his feet for a catch, he has to be thrown a strike to make it comfortable he will catch it. I have previously labeled this Jake Part 2. But I do think I would rather have surfer boy over there. Barely. And that's sad.

 

"But this is GABY!!! He brings a bat!!!" At least he does until videos are reviewed and pitchers see how to pitch to him. Then we will see.

 

Remember last year around May when so many were saying bring up Gaby and I was saying be careful of what you wish for??

 

Of course I'm no scout, coach, or FO personnel. And I put no credence to minor league stats following players to the major league level. I go mainly by what I see on the field. So I know nothing.

 

On the plus side.......It's only one game. We shall be patient.

Congragulations Bob. You certainley proved everyone wrong after one game. Way to go.

Well, Maybin's asset is speed and he doesn't steal bases. A bad sign. No way I would have him in center field. I like Cody Ross in center, personally. Stanton would be in right field right now. The homerun off the Marlins' very best hurler, Nolasco, should have constituted his diploma from the minors.

 

Johnson stunk it up on the mound, much as he did all spring. Predictable. I would have traded him to Texas for one of their good, young (and cheap) pitchers and Nelson Cruz, who would be playing left field for the Marlins right now.

 

Coghlan would be at second base, where he belongs, and would be signed long term right now. I would never have kept Uggla.

 

I like the way Sanchez approaches things at the plate, but the first base defense was unacceptable. .. notably the failure to stretch for the ball. I haven't see a first baseman stand straight up to take a throw since Little League.

 

Paulino didn't quite come through at the plate yesterday, but I really like him and the whole catching platoon situation.

 

The bullpen will be disappointing all season.

I think we'll be okay... I predict we'll be in the playoff hunt all year, despite this one bad game.

Well, Maybin's asset is speed and he doesn't steal bases. A bad sign. No way I would have him in center field. I like Cody Ross in center, personally. Stanton would be in right field right now. The homerun off the Marlins' very best hurler, Nolasco, should have constituted his diploma from the minors.

 

Johnson stunk it up on the mound, much as he did all spring. Predictable. I would have traded him to Texas for one of their good, young (and cheap) pitchers and Nelson Cruz, who would be playing left field for the Marlins right now.

 

Coghlan would be at second base, where he belongs, and would be signed long term right now. I would never have kept Uggla.

 

I like the way Sanchez approaches things at the plate, but the first base defense was unacceptable. .. notably the failure to stretch for the ball. I haven't see a first baseman stand straight up to take a throw since Little League.

 

Paulino didn't quite come through at the plate yesterday, but I really like him and the whole catching platoon situation.

 

The bullpen will be disappointing all season.

 

 

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this post a negative 5. Sorry, but this is ridiculous.

I think we'll be okay... I predict we'll be in the playoff hunt all year, despite this one bad game.

 

 

Good Post... Agree Totally... No jumping off bridges here in DC.

Cameron and Gaby didn't play very good, that's for sure. Gaby did very good at the plate though. His defense will come around. He probably had more jitters/thinking to much in the outfield. Those long at bats are just what we needed. Maybin, what is going on??? He won't be around long if he continues to SO 3 times/blow errors in the field. One error was fine, make the adjustment after that. The strikeouts?? I thought that this was something he worked on....hmm. Only thing going for him was it was Santana. If he stinks it but the rest of this series, I'll get worried. Just one game.

Ya know how bad I got bashed during ST (this year and last year) for saying things like this on these boards and others? Want me to once again explain why he looked so good defensively at A and AA ball?

 

He can't move to his left, he can't stretch, he can't leave his feet for a catch, he has to be thrown a strike to make it comfortable he will catch it. I have previously labeled this Jake Part 2. But I do think I would rather have surfer boy over there. Barely. And that's sad.

 

"But this is GABY!!! He brings a bat!!!" At least he does until videos are reviewed and pitchers see how to pitch to him. Then we will see.

 

Remember last year around May when so many were saying bring up Gaby and I was saying be careful of what you wish for??

 

Of course I'm no scout, coach, or FO personnel. And I put no credence to minor league stats following players to the major league level. I go mainly by what I see on the field. So I know nothing.

 

On the plus side.......It's only one game. We shall be patient.

 

 

Are you going to be this giddy everytime Gaby has a bad day?

I think we'll be okay... I predict we'll be in the playoff hunt all year, despite this one bad game.

 

 

[if you were trying for some humor here, then] This is the post of the year :lol

Ya know how bad I got bashed during ST (this year and last year) for saying things like this on these boards and others? Want me to once again explain why he looked so good defensively at A and AA ball?

 

He can't move to his left, he can't stretch, he can't leave his feet for a catch, he has to be thrown a strike to make it comfortable he will catch it. I have previously labeled this Jake Part 2. But I do think I would rather have surfer boy over there. Barely. And that's sad.

 

"But this is GABY!!! He brings a bat!!!" At least he does until videos are reviewed and pitchers see how to pitch to him. Then we will see.

 

Remember last year around May when so many were saying bring up Gaby and I was saying be careful of what you wish for??

 

Of course I'm no scout, coach, or FO personnel. And I put no credence to minor league stats following players to the major league level. I go mainly by what I see on the field. So I know nothing.

 

On the plus side.......It's only one game. We shall be patient.

 

 

Are you going to be this giddy everytime Gaby has a bad day?

 

Short answer? Yes.

"na na na na na na I waaaaas riiiiiight"

How the tunes of the majority will change again when on Wednesday we win the ballgame behind a solid performance from Nolasco. Maybin will also have a multi-hit game to silence the doubters.

I think we'll be okay... I predict we'll be in the playoff hunt all year, despite this one bad game.

 

 

[if you were trying for some humor here, then] This is the post of the year :lol

 

I was trying to be funny in the way I said it. haha