Marmol Meltdown Sends Cubs To 5-2 Defeat By Marlins
by Al Yellon on Aug 1, 2009 7:20 AM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintRich Harden ties a career high for strikeouts. Jake Fox hits a clutch game-tying two-run homer. New Cub John Grabow throws a scoreless inning (and Lou even allows the lefthander to pitch to righthanded batters!). Aaron Heilman... also pitches a scoreless inning.
Recipe for victory, right?
Unfortunately, no. Carlos Marmol had one of his bad innings, walking the first two batters he faced (and throwing only 10 strikes in 22 pitches). He almost got out of the inning by getting the next two men out, but then John Baker singled in the lead run. Marmol then hit pinch-hitter Ross Gload, and Lou had seen enough, summoning Sean Marshall, who's been so good out of the bullpen this year. Naturally, Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez switched to a right-handed pinch-hitter, Wes Helms, who promptly put the game out of reach with a two-run double.
The 5-2 loss to the Marlins, coupled with the Cardinals' win over the Astros, puts the Cubs back in second place, 1/2 game behind St. Louis.
For a while it didn't seem as if it would even be close -- Chris Volstad was setting Cub hitters down easily over the first six innings. (I even had a headline ready for the score if it had held up that way: "Volstad's Act Prohibits Cubs From Winning, 2-0".) But Fox's two-out, two-run homer tied the game and gave the Cubs some hope, only to have that crushed by Marmol's bad performance... something that's going to have to happen far less often if the Cubs are going to win the NL Central.
Meanwhile, I have a bone to pick with the Marlins. Thanks to BCB reader Cubbinstrongsince 86 for making this FanPost about the Marlins' marketing department's continued cheap shots at the Cubs. I repost the relevant information along with the link to the Paul Sullivan article in which it appeared (which I also added to the FanPost):
When the Marlins sent a marketing department intern out to the field at Land Shark Stadium with a billy goat during the game Friday night against the Cubs, manager Lou Piniella couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Tasteless," he said. "When we come here they always have some gimmick that basically doesn't make any sense. I don't know who dreams of these things ... When they come to Chicago, we don't have fried marlin.
"Just play baseball."
Damn straight, Lou. "Tasteless" doesn't begin to describe it. Last night's attendance of 25,024 is almost 40% above the Marlins' season average of 17,966. They should be thrilled to see the thousands of Cubs fans there, putting money in their pockets and boosting the economy of south Florida. Though it's common to hear fans of other teams do this kind of thing to Cubs fans -- or any visiting fans of any team, for that matter -- to have it done on an official basis by the home team is... well, I'll be charitable and say it's juvenile.
That's being nice. I could say some other not-nice things about this, but all I will say is that the Marlins are the only team that does this. It's lame, trite and shows the lack of creativity on the part of their marketing department, which apparently can't think of anything positive to say about their own team, so they have to tear down the other one.
I hope Cubs fans show up by the tens of thousands tonight and make it sound like a Wrigley Field home game. Oh, and a win would be nice, too.
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I hate this team.
I hate their fans. I hate their stadium. I hate the stupid fish on their jersey. I hate this team. Nothing good happens to the Cubs in Miami.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Well, except winning 2 of 3 last year.
A repeat of that would be useful.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Seriously...
I tweeted after the “creative” videos about using Cubs jerseys as marker board erasers and charcoal substitute, along with all the 1908 references by the worthless in-game hosts and the goat stunt, that I may hate the Marlins more at this point than even the Cards and Brewers.
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Aug 1, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
+ Freakin 1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.
Marlins can suck it.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Aug 1, 2009 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh
and I hate their closer acting like he just won Game 7 of the World Series after a July 31 win.
As Santo has the Mets, I have the Marlins.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Apparently Koyie Hill does, to
Did anyone else notice him remaining in the batters’ box and staring at him?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 1, 2009 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I didn't get a chance
to watch the game, so I didn’t see the celebration or stare. I can only hope that Soriano or Ramirez go yard off this guy tonight to win the game. Maybe they can give him a taste of his own medicine. Perhaps an Irish jig on the mound after they step on home plate??
When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch. -Ty Cobb
As much as I'd like to see some of that done to those assclowns,
this isn’t soccer.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Yeah
I know. That would make us as bad as them. But now and again I would like to see it the other way around, maybe it would teach the Valverde’s of the MLB to settle down. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would do any good.
When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch. -Ty Cobb
Remember back in the day
when somebody scored a touchdown? They got high-fives and butt-slaps and maybe a group hug. Then you got your “Ickey Shuffle.” Now you got your run-of-the-mill OchoCinco and TO…
I hope baseball remains as respectful and dignified as it can be—following the “quiet dignity of Jose Valverde.”
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
Heh
I do remember the more subdues days. I can see a fist pump here and there, but some of the celebrations are just ridiculous. Imagine what Bob Gibson/Nolan Ryan, etc. would do to guys doing these things today. I am guessing the would see steady diets of high, inside fastballs.
When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch. -Ty Cobb
he's happy from going to the Royals to the Marlins.
Same attendance, better team.
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
Who's worse?
Nunez or Jose Valverde?
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 1, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
you know, normally I remind someone that posts a comment like this to make sure and hate on the Cubs who do that sort of thing as well
but I don’t have to worry about that with you, Worf. You spread your hate around pretty well…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
No, I'm a stinking hypocrite
when it comes to the Marlins. Normally, I don’t mind that stuff.
There is no such thing as an ugly female breast
Hate
Us long long time fans have a much greater hate for the Mets. Believe me ! Ever seen a road game there wearing a Cubs jersey ?
by If we only had Hubbs on Aug 1, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes. And I never had a problem.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 1, 2009 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Mets
Good for you (seriously). I would be very pleased ,however, to see the Mets finish last year after year after year………
by If we only had Hubbs on Aug 1, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not saying that I root for them
But no one bothered me when I wore Cubs gear at Shea.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 1, 2009 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Experience
I didn’t get the same experience as you but let;s say I was pulling extra hard for the Cubs. I’m with Mr. Santo 100 % on his feelings about them.
by If we only had Hubbs on Aug 1, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, it's possible that you ran into jerks - there are some in every fan base
I’ve generally found that if I don’t look for trouble in other stadiums, it doesn’t find me.
The worst that I’ve had it was probably at a Marquette-UW game. A grown man thought that, “Go back to Madison” was supposed to be a taunt, intimidating, clever, or . . . I don’t know what he thought it was. But given the choice between Milwaukee and Madison, it’s actually a nice suggestion. That fan base has the same inferiority complex that has been talked about here. The worst of the worst was students who thought it was acceptable to throw things — but since I’m not intimidated by wearing Cub gear in NYC, MKE, STL, etc., Packer gear in Detroit or at Solidier Field, I’m sure as hell not going to be intimidated by an 18 year old Marquette student.
Funny that that was the worst, but then college students probably contain the most obnoxious subset of sports fans . . . and as Mike Royko said, sports fans are assholes.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 1, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Thoughts
Thanks for your comments. I was feeling uncomfortable before I even got to Shea. I am sure that had a lot to do with it. (fyi, this was many years ago )
by If we only had Hubbs on Aug 1, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions
You guys should try going to San Diego
with a Cubs hat on. That was the worst experience I’ve had.
by LT on Aug 1, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions
cubs
what is wrong with marmol???? remember when this guy was untouchable? these walks need to stop or other options need to be explored. and yeah that goat thing is pretty cheesy. here in fla i have to listen to the marlin announcers. talk about painfull.makes you long for stone/harrellson. they usually find a way to sneak in 2003.and cubs,PLEASE WIN SOON.im so sick of hearing about this 100 year crap.
Frustrating day all around...
I was screaming at Marmol. He could only throw his fastball for a strike and was getting behind every hitter with sliders off the plate. I saw him looking dejected in the dugout after giving up the lead and I was wishing I could text him: “THROW STRIKES AND YOUR STUFF IS GOOD ENOUGH TO GET PEOPLE OUT.” At this time of the season, there is no excuse for the walks and HBP. A little base hit to right field doesn’t mean anything if you don’t walk the world in front of it.
I went to bed when the Astros pulled ahead of the Cardinals 3-2. I should have known that wouldn’t last.
Get 'em on, Get 'em over, Get 'em in!
by DKT on Aug 1, 2009 7:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Though Tampa's stadium is even worse than the Marlins'
At least “Land Shark” (really? really??) has grass and sky.
Tampa Stadium
Last year was the first year I attended a game at Tropicana and that stadium is hands down better than Land Shark. It’s called AIR CONDITIONING!!!! LOL
Agreed
Plus the Rays owners actually have tried to make it look like a baseball park. In Miami, the entire stadium is Dolphin dominated, except for the flags over the batter’s eye and the (broken) out-of-town scoreboard, which was theatre in itself last night.
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Aug 1, 2009 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions
improved?
Well it must have improved since i was last there — in 2002 or so it was one drab concrete bunker at that point. The Trop even looks hideous from the road damn lopsided ballpark.
Of course you get lost going to landshark because look its right there we’re almost there — shit we’re in a neighborhood and there’s a fence where do we go now! —or is that just me!
It's hard to believe that such a large state that wanted a baseball team for sooo long...
is home to the 2 worst baseball stadiums you can fathom. The Trop, which is actually 45 min outside of Tampa in the city of St. Pete, was built for basketball. And even though they try to dress it up, it is absolutely hideous and miserable to watch baseball in. The catwalks, loads of obstructed view seats, ug. But hey, at least parking is free and there’s AC in Florida! And you’re right about the fact that, opposite from the Marlins, the Rays are a pretty classy organization.
It may be a terrible place to watch
baseball, but it wasn’t built for basketball. It was built for baseball, specifically in an attempt to lure a major league team, most likely the White Sox, to move to St. Petersburg. The construction of Tropicana Field is directly responsible for the construction of US Cellular.
The problem was that it was built so that it could be used for other things (They had too, they didn’t have a team) and they used the Metrodome, which was the newest stadium at the time, as a template.
by Josh Timmers on Aug 1, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
As someone who grew up in Tampa...
it’s always been said that it was built for basketball. They used to host a number of NCAA tourneys, and it works out quite well for basketball. I haven’t done any research or anything, but everyone says it was built for bball. Whether it was, or it was built for mutlti-sport, one thing for sure is it was not at all designed for baseball.
Not true...
I also grew up in the area…and I remember each and every time St. Pete came close to getting a team. The whole purpose of St. Pete building the dome was to get baseball so Tampa couldn’t. Logically, a dome makes no sense from a basketball perspective. They can’t even have NCAA events anymore because there isn’t enough around the vicinity of the dome to keep fans occupied between games, which is why St. Pete has only ever had the one Final Four there.
Visit bloggingthebracket.com, SBNation's bracketology/hoops rambling site!
by Chris Dobbertean on Aug 1, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
You're telling me that what I've heard all my life, from friends, relatives, neighbors, etc isn't true?
Ok, buddy. Can you tell me if it makes sense for a retractable roof to house an NHL team? Because the Lightning played there for at least 3 years in the early 90’s I believe. Then the Tampa Bay Storm (AFL) played there in the 90’s as well. It was a multi-purpose, multi-sport design. And then when they finally did get the baseball team, they had to change the stadium to accommodate baseball- that is, they had to put $70m into the 8-yr old stadium that only cost $130m to build. If it was built for baseball, wouldn’t the 8-yr young stadium be a little more baseball ready? Anyways, it was during that renovation that they modeled it after Ebbets Field.
specifically in an attempt to lure a major league team, most likely the White Sox, to move to St. Petersburg.
id have no problem with that
He can throw a fastball at 87MPH and make you look like a fool. He can spray lines drives to right field. He can put up with crappy offense and take the loss. He is Randy Wells. He is the most interesting pitcher in the world. Stay healthy, my friends.
by jesus christos on Aug 1, 2009 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
You'd think the Marlins would be happy to have the extra money
and just be satisfied with 2 World Series titles in the last 12 years. It’s sad that their marketing department resorts to juvenile tactics.
On the bright side, Fox hit an absolute bomb. Hopefully Lou can continue to find ways to get his bat in the lineup and Fox can lay off the breaking ball out of the strike zone, because I have a feeling that’s all he will see the rest of the series.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
don't put this on the Marlins' marketing dept. This is Jeffrey Luria. He has no class, period.
The guy was in the stands last night. If he wanted to stop this behavior, he would. This is who the guy is. This team reflects who he is. No class. Baseball can be very proud to have him as an owner.
MLB likes the guy because he cleans house every few years and doesn’t overpay for players, he just trades them to other teams when they are ready for big contracts. What is there not to like about this guy? Who cares if he delivers a weak marketing product and doesn’t put fans in the seats. That helps the process of trading away talent. All part of the master plan: the guy is cheap and no class. The kind of owner MLB wants to support their big market teams.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
They're still trying to rub our noses into the `03 NLCS collapse
I’d expect them to trot out Bartman tonight. Yawn.
No, HBO will do it for them.
Aren’t they debeloping some sort of documentary about the guy?
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 1, 2009 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Two WS titles and no one cares.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
The baseball gods are cruel and unusual.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
I suppose it could be worse
You could have been a Houston Comets fan (WNBA). 4 championships in its decade of existence and . . . poof, gone. Players dispersed (not unlike the Pirates this year) and trophies probably floating around eBay.
I to had to listen
or I had the sound up to the Marlins announcers. The way they talked about Nick Johnson I thought Pete Rose was coming through the door, goodness every freaking inning was a Nick Johnson love fest. They had Ken Rosenthal on for an inning, and had to say( I am paraphrasing) “The Marlins are always in the mix for players during the trade deadline, salary of a player doesn’t matter” What?.
They won two World Series, fine, then stop acting like your in “A” Ball.
I can’t stand this team, ever since 2003. They are my shit team, No 1 on the list.
Win the next two Cubs!!!!!!!!!, and Carlos throw freaking strikes
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
or I had the sound up to the Marlins announcers. The way they talked about Nick Johnson I thought Pete Rose was coming through the door, goodness every freaking inning was a Nick Johnson love fest
im guessing you havent listened to cardinal announcers lately… its even worse, you have to listen about holliday, lugo, AND derosa
He can throw a fastball at 87MPH and make you look like a fool. He can spray lines drives to right field. He can put up with crappy offense and take the loss. He is Randy Wells. He is the most interesting pitcher in the world. Stay healthy, my friends.
by jesus christos on Aug 1, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Photo caption: "Dude, you gotta keep both feet on the board..."
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers everybody!
Or.. Dancing with the stars MLB edition.
There goes one over the fence...a Tru-Link fence.
by truelinkfence on Aug 1, 2009 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
or: NEW FOR CHRISTMAS: MLB Twister!
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Volstad's Act?
Shouldn’t there be a prohibition on puns lie that?
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana (1863-1952)
I must be having a senior moment. What's the pun Al?
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
The Prohibition Act of 1919...
… was named after Andrew Volstead, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee who approved it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Cool. Sports minutia AND EDUCATION! Who'da thunk it?
So how was prohibition received by the public back then Al? What did you hear out on the street…? ;)
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
I wrote the Marlins marketing department last season...
….after they did similar things when the Cubs were in town.
Their response was “We’re sorry you feel this way. We have no problems with the way we have marketed this series.” Well, if that’s the way they feel, all the complaining in the world isn’t going to change it. So good luck to your shitty franchise, Miami.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
Right.
I don’t get why Al’s suggested response is to fill the stadium with Cub fans. If this behavior doesn’t lead to a decrease in Cub fan attendance, the behavior won’t change. If it bothers fans so much, they should stop going altogether. Save your money for a trip to Atlanta.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
At least we could shout down the Marlins fans.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Go to the games DO NOT BUY ANYTHING
Tailgate before the game & bring in some snacks. They make their money on your eating and drinking so just tell them Cub
fans prefer to spend money where they are treated like valued customers.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Aug 1, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
Why even give them the ticket revenue?
Don’t even go inside – just stay outside and tailgate the whole game. Put the ticket money towards a bunch of those hand-held loudspeakers and take turns shouting “Let’s Go Cubbies” clap clap clap clap clap all night long and cheer like crazy whenever Cubbies do well (and Marlins screw up). There’s got to be a few chinks in that stadium layout where the sound would easily get inside.
And if any media types ask you why you’re not going inside, explain about the lame Marlins marketing dept.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
"What do we want? A Cubs win! When do we want it? Now!"
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Or someone who enjoys being outside more anyway ;)
The cheap seats are $12 and are often available for cheaper than that (although maybe not when the Cubs fans are in town). If you’re a Cubs fan in Miami, not going to the game seems a bit harsh if that’s the only chance to see your team. Not buying any food, beverages, or souvenirs sounds reasonable.
I forgot that we were starting a revolution.
Okay, I swear that I will not go to ANY Cubs games in Miami this year. And probably most of the years after this year too. Damn the man!
Here's another way to hit them where hurts.
I’m guessing a good chunk of their tickets (relatively speaking) are from day-of game sales. So get there early, and get in line at all the ticket windows. When it’s your turn, ask – politely of course – about tickets for the game. When they offer up some along the 1B line, ask about ones on the 3B side. And then upper deck. No, wait – maybe the outfield…
Strrrrrrreeeeeettttttch it out as long as you can, and then either make your purchase or just politely say “no thank you” and move on (presumably because you already have tickets).
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Or, buy tickets from someone selling them outside the park.
That way, you are not giving any extra money to the team, just buying tickets they have already been sold.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Caption: Rami, Rami, you got to flap your
arms like this or you’ll never get off the ground!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 1, 2009 8:08 AM CDT reply actions
As for Marmol, he did not seem as wild as in the past.
Two walks to start the inning are still two walks, but it was just as much a matter of this ump’s tiny strike zone. This was not the old problem of Marmol being off-balance and wild and missing by a wide margin. It did not seem like Marmol’s mechanics were messed up like they were in the past.
But what this does prove is that Marmol’s reputation precedes him. He needs to get ahead of hitters and throw strikes. Period. His days of getting guys out with pitches out of the strike zone are over as long as he keeps falling behind hitters.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
+1
At this point he needs to throw more fastballs. Opponents are starting to just not swing the bat and let him walk them. Most players know they can’t hit his slider so they just don’t swing at anything. He should be throwing 95% fastballs an using his slider to put away batters. His fastball is good enough to get most hitters out if he locates it.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 1, 2009 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions
That's the problem...
… location, location, location.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
He needs to take the exam first.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 1, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
I actually heard it was a Holiday Inn Express.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 1, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
how long until this one jumps the shark?
It’s still pretty funny though
by LT on Aug 1, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Holiday Inn Express pun jumping the shark?
BRILLIANT!!!!
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 1, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Marmol
I wonder if they would ever consider sending him down to work on his wildness. We can’t afford him spending anymore time on the roster trying to work it out in tight games. Plus, where was Guzman with the bases loaded. That isn’t a spot that Marshal should come in for…he is still a true starter which takes more time for him to get going.
Hey, Hey! Hey, Hey! Hey, Hey!
We also can't afford
To have Heilman pitching the eighth inning. I know there are better people to pitch it, but me and you both know that for some odd reason he will put Heilman there.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Aug 1, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions
He doesn't need to work on his wildness.
He’s mastered it. What he needs to work on is his control.
by stuartscottslefteye on Aug 1, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Can't afford him on the roster?
Sending him down would be nothing less of completely foolish. He has been just fine lately with the exception of last night. Until last night he has issued four walks, thirteen K’s, 0 R in 9 innings pitched. Granted, 4 walks in 9 innings is more than you want to see, you make it sound like he’s been terrible. I’ll take those numbers any day when you take into consideration the dominating stuff he has.
Also, Marshall has done nothing but succeed in roles like that this year. He is more of a reliever now days than a starter; it doesn’t take him long to get up. I’m thinking Lou was saving Guzman for extras if they got there. I would have liked to see Guzman, but Marshall isn’t a poor choice.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
Nice Try
The ump might have had an inconsistent strike zone last night, but that strike zone had nothing to do with Marmol walking the first two guys. Go back and look at the mlb.com pitch tracker and you’ll see that Marmol was missing badly during those first two at bats.
Am I the only one that thinks its a little hypocritical that its the hip thing to do to call for heilman’s head while marmol gets a free pass for giving out so many free passes?
by circuitclout on Aug 1, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Marmol gives up too many walks will being near unhittable (.161 BA against, .244 SLG against)
Heilman does it while being quite hittable (.257 BA against, .413 SLG against)
You think you notice most everything around you, but in reality you're nearly blind to everything outside of your current focus. Hilarious example.
Another
by shake n bake on Aug 1, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
I am just saying Marmol's mechanics did not look as out of control as they were 4-6 weeks ago.
He was not missing by as much, generally. But bottom line, he has to get ahead and throw strikes. I was not blaming on the ump. I was still saying that Marmol has to get ahead, but be aware of the fact when he is facing an ump with a tight strike zone AND he has a reputation NOW that precedes him (mucho walks).
I did not say the ump treated Marmol unfairly. Marmol did not deliver in the situation with an ump with a tight strike zone.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
Nice to see Lou get Fox in there...
And even nicer to see Fox continue to produce. Hopefully he’ll continue to get more PT.
Funny thing is Dolphin Stadium ahs been trying to chase the Marlins out for years
So they weren’t even welcome in their own ballpark.
Marmol... Get your $&it together.
And Lou…. you’re gonna pinch hit Baker, instead of Soriano? Really? Did you just wake up from your nap?
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
RE: Soriano: I was thinking the same thing last night.
I know he has struggled mightily against lefties this year, but why not put him in? He is on one of his patented hot streaks right now.
Given that context, I would rather have taken my chances with Soriano swinging the bat instead of Baker. Nothing against the Muffin Man, but I think Soriano would have been the better choice there.
Even if he has struggled against lefties this year, I will still take him when he’s on one of his hot streaks.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 1, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Also,
If Soriano goes to bat, and does something (hits a home run or gives the Cubs the lead in some way), when Marmol comes in, he is probably thinking that he has to shut the Marlins out instead of trying to keep the game tied.
I think our pitchers’ mistakes have been magnified this year due to the number of close games we have played in.
If Marmol comes in with a lead, he probably ends up pitching better than he did last night.
But it’s all in the past, let’s fry some fish tonight!
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 1, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Tough loss. If lou really wanted to overmanage, he should have brough Marshall in to face Baker. That's after the fact though.
Plus, Astros aren’t good for anything. :)
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
blame it on the "pick up" behind Poo-holes who had 4 hits again
last night and is batting close to .600 so far for the DeadBirds. I am shocked they only scored 4 runs last night given how Holliday is hitting. At some point the guy will come back to earth…
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
Good matchup today
Burke Badenhop has only one start but that was against the Phillies, gave up 1 run over five innings.
last game is so-so. Demp is going and you never know how he’s going to pitch.
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
I might be wrong, but I think he was referring to Sunday's game.
I have been to five Cubs games in my lifetime.
The Cubs' record in those games: 5 wins, 0 losses.
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Aug 1, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I've lived in Ft. Lauderdale the past 8 years
and have had to hear it from Marlins “fans” even before 2003. They truly have nothing to latch on to with the way the organization is run. My friends already joke about Hanley being in pinstripes in the next couple years.
And another thing about their new stadium, it’s on the site of the Orange Bowl in the heart of Miami. Their current stadium is in the middle of nowhere. The Marlins friends I have might go to 3 games a year now, none of them are making the drive to Miami more than once to check out the new stadium.
I’ll be at the games tonight and tomorrow…expecting a lot of Cubs fans and hopefully two W’s.
I agree
My mother bought a timeshare in Hollywood, so I get to head down each year. The ballpark is difficult to get to and that is a problem.
About the new stadium, are they going to do anything about parking? It is similar to Wrigley in that there is no real parking anywhere nearby. Just parking on streets or the odd parking lot.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana (1863-1952)
actually..
coming from Lauderdale off the turnpike makes it very easy to get to the current stadium. They have an exit that takes you right to the east gate. Only problem is once you are down there there is nothing going on anywhere near that. You have to pack up the car and head elsewhere.
Parking at the new place I haven’t heard much about. I’d go to a lot of Miami Hurricanes games and all the time we wound up parking in residential neighborhoods that surround the stadium. That was a lot of fun too…you’d come out and find your car double and tripple parked in the middle of little Cuba.
We’ll see, thankfully the Cubs are here only once a year!!
by TeddyThunder on Aug 1, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not worried about Marmol
He’s had a great July, and before last night, his ERA in July was .69 and he’d only walked 6 guys in 13 innings (that’s good for him). I expect him to be back in his July form next time out.
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
I'm not worried about him either.
Just a bad day. But what do I know?
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Unfortunately
His bad days often look so much worse than anyone elses, even if the result is the same (1-3 runs). Walks, hit batters, etc . . . the guy is still nearly unhittable but it hurts to watch him give out so many free passes.
Hopefully just a blip on what’s been a good second half for him so far.
I was disappointed to see Marshall out because I was hoping he'd go back into the rotation.
Guess that’s not to be. Maybe that’s for the best because I really don’t want to see him bounced back and forth either.
"Fasten your seatbelts"-Pat Hughes
Does anyone know why Sunday's game starts so late ?
5pm EST . Is there some other event in Land Shark before that or do the Marlins just like to sleep really late
on Sundays ?
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
It's because it's too hot during the day to play on midsummer Sundays.
They do this for most of their home Sundays till the end of Sugust.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If you have ever been to Miami in August
you wouldn’t have to ask that question. It is just God awful hot and humid. I’ve been there. To ask players to be out there in the heat of the day for 3+ hours would be brutal.
It’s an act of mercy to the players and fans.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. -- George Santayana (1863-1952)
+1
I was at a game at Dolphins Stadium ~4 days before Katrina hit Ft. L. (It wasn’t even developed yet! That’s how fast those suckers can come up.)
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/FLO/FLO200508200.shtml
I was not only impressed with how hot and humid the air was, but also how warm the ocean was. Probably warmer than bath water. Which is why they have hurricanes.
Miami, FL
This market doesn’t deserve a baseball franchise; probably the worst fan-base out there. It’s truly amazing that some of these people have jobs after displaying zero class and integrity. I mean come on, Land Shark stadium and a billy goat? Where is the creativity of ad/marketing firms these days? I’m amazed how these people get paid for this kind of dribble. I vote for Lou’s idea of a fish-fry the next time they’re at Wrigley.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Me too
During warm-ups in today’s game, a Cub player should conveniently over-throw his teammate by hucking it at Jeffrey Luria’s head.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Joking
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Yes, it's very difficult to tell on the internet.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
Land Shark Stadium
The name isn’t the Marlins fault. You can put 100% of the blame for that on the Dolphins.
by Josh Timmers on Aug 1, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
When they come to Florida
It’s the one series I look forward to the least.
It’s not the marketing departments schemes, it’s just that they don’t seem to win down there. I know they won a few games last year but since 2003 it just seems like that ball park is bad luck for them .
Get this weekend over with and start winning series on the road!
Win more away games
The Marlins seem to manage the franchise intelligently enough to have won 2 WS titles in their relatively short history and, with a budget like their’s, I don’t question that kind of success. The goat idea was stupid. It would serve them right if Cub fans all stayed home. That would hit the Marlins in the pocketbook.
Marmol obviously isn’t the shut-them-down pitcher he was for most of last season. Let’s hope he shapes up because they do need him. Harden’s 11 strike-outs don’t mean as much when they contribute to him being gone after 5 innings. And let’s hope Zambrano and the offense are sharp tonight.
This may sound like sore loser-talk, but
can they play the rest of the series under protest for their marketing antics?
The players and on-field staff have nothing to do with what the front office does to “entertain” the crowd, and the front office can’t fully control the crowd’s taunts. But this antic came from within the organization. Can (should) the president or the GM send a letter of protest to the Marlins’ front office or MLB to protest such crass behavior?
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
I noticed the Pirate Parrot doesn't dance so much behind home plate during the pitch delivery anymore
so I suspect if someone from the Cubs front office dropped a word or two towards the MLB honchos, someone might say something to Florida.
But I’d much prefer to kick the crap out of them on the field and wave good-bye. You know the old saying, “Winning well is the best revenge…”
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Agreed. But
this was more “offensive” to us fans watching on TV than to anybody on the team. Of course I want the Cubs to obliterate Florida every m-f’ing time they see them. But this was more of a taunt to the TV audience than to the actual team. And that’s why, if I were in the Cubs’ front office, send letters to MLB and press releases informing the fans the team will not sit idly while another MLB team “offends” my fan base.
One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.
all this moaning about the marlins franchise and childish marketing is fine
but the thing that pisses me off is that the cubs play like garbage in that ballpark. that was an ugly game, and despite the brief jolt i got from fox’s blast, it never felt like the cubs had a chance. felt like arizona. i will be really happy when the cubs leave this nightmare of a ballpark.
"If you play more than two chords, you're showing off."--Woody Guthrie
Any pro baseball team
that has cheerleaders has no credibility whatsoever.
When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch. -Ty Cobb
Don't the Bulls do the same thing?
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 1, 2009 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Since you asked I googled it, the Matadors
I’m not a basketball fan though, this is probably why.
You’re killin’ me Smalls!
I understand the name tie-in between "Da Bulls" and "The Matadors", but...
…you’d think if they’re going to have a sense of humor about it, they’d go all the way and call them “Da Balls”.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I believe the Cubs...
should start a program to help under-priviledged girls go to college. Someone, and I volunteer for this program, should scour local “Gentlemen’s Club” to find young ladies that are in need of college tution (Every “Gentlemen’s Club” I’ve been to it seems that the ladies there are working their way through college).
Once the best quailfied ladies are found, a cheerleading team can be formed. They could be called the “the Hairless Carey’s” or “the Lovable Ladies” or something as such.
Now to keep in connection with Al’s idea of doing away with “Celebrity” singing “Take me out to the ball game”, these ladies could do an interpretive dance to “Take me out to the ball game”.
This could be a new found way for fathers and sons to bound again at the ol’ ball game!
The sun will shine in '69
I thought the Village People retired...
Quia tuum es fatum titulis discidiis, vexillinis limbis nationalis,
gloriam seriis mundialisque, nunc et in saecula saeculorum...
Amen.
Tasteless
As someone who works in the marketing industry, I find the Marlins ownership and marketing department completely tasteless. Know that this has been beaten to death, but any orginazation/bussiness that thrives on embarassing and belittling as as a way to promote their product is the lowest of the low.
The best revenge is winning and hopefully Z and the boys put it to the Marlins tonight.
Go Cubs GO!
by Tangled Up In Blue on Aug 1, 2009 12:14 PM CDT reply actions
My biggest beef with last night,
is the dog shit approach that Fox took in the 9th. Milton walks and what does Jake do? Hacks at the first pitch and it was too far up to do anything with. Terrible approach. I can see if you’re down 1 or 2 and you can tie the game, but Mr. Fox, you can’t tie a 3-run deficit with a 2-run HR.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
I didn't like that, either
The Marlins announcers mentioned that he can get himself into trouble and he had shown wildness.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 1, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's kick
the hell out of them tonight. I can feel it.
by If we only had Hubbs on Aug 1, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions
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