Greetings from Dolphin Stadium, where the Super Bowl was played two months ago yet construction work on the front of the stadium continues. It's the Marlins home-opener tonight, and a crowd of 35,000 or so is expected. That would be unusual. Normally, Marlins crowds rarely touch 5,000.One quick observation: In the small hallway leading from the press box to the dining room, the walls are decorated with framed pictures of the Marlins managers. But one of the eight skippers in Marlins history is noticeably excluded. Joe Girardi (left), who kept a rookie-laden team with a $14 million payroll in playoff contention until September, does not have his picture up. Girardi, you'll recall, famously feuded with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria last season and was fired in October, a few weeks before being named National League Manager of the Year. Coincidence?
More on this later, but the Phillies have signed former Orioles prospect Rick Bauer to a minor-league contract, pending a physical. Bauer, a fifth-round pick of the O's in 1997 (when Pat Gillick was Baltimore's GM), went 3-1 with two saves and a 3.55 ERA in 58 games for the Rangers last season. Texas released him March 28, two days after designating him for assignment. Bauer, a 30-year-old right-hander, is 11-14 with 12 saves and a 4.34 ERA in 183 games for Baltimore and Texas from 2001 through 2006.
1 comment:
That's a(nother) low-class move by Marlins brass. I just wish the redundant actions and total lack of grace by Loria would disappear.
On another note, I know Manuel's on the hot seat. Personally, I really like Charlie Manuel. I forgave him for his mistakes last year because he was learning how to manage in the NL. I wish the Phillies fans would stop calling for his head and start blaming the superstars who aren't getting it done and aren't earning their paychecks. Philly and the surrounding area that make up the fan base are blue-collar; they like to see the players playing hard and earning the paychecks that the fans themselves ultimately help to write. This lineup hasn't been playing like they want to win, and they don't deserve to win. There's nothing Manuel can do to control the players' actions or their drive and determination to get off to a solid start. There shouldn't be a target on the manager's back, ever. Not just Charlie but others as well. The GM, however, is a different story...
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