Phillies fans tossed from game for fan interference

The play in question/WPVI-TV

((ht: sun-sentinel.com))

This is, well, a bit odd. And it happened Sunday afternoon at the Philadelphia Phillies versus Florida Marlins game.

Here's the set-up: With Ryan Howard on 1st and Hunter Pence hitting during a tie game in the top of the 6th inning, Pence hits a ball to the right field wall. Florida's rightfielder jumps for it and two Phillies fans sitting in the corner reach over to try and grab it too.

Ball bounces off the wall and Pence rolls into 2nd with what appears to be a ground rule double. Florida manager Trader Jack McKeon didn't see it that way, asks for a review...and gets it.

The umps come out, toss the fans and call Pence out. Charlie Manuel blows a gasket, and he gets tossed out.

Read the whole adventure from Mike Berardino and the Sun-Sentinel RIGHT HERE

Hmmm. We thought the replay rule in baseball was only for home runs. And it appears the Phillies thought the same way. It's unfortunate the fans got tossed for interfering though, they were probably 2 of the 1500 or so actually in attendance at SunLife Stadium.

Okay, it's video of a video on a computer screen, but here's the play in question:

Trader Jack is about to be back and manage Marlins

Jack McKeon

((ht:cbssports.com))

It appears that the Florida Marlins are going to announce 80-year old Jack McKeon as their interim manager on Monday after the Sunday morning resignation of Edwin Rodriguez.

McKeon last patrolled a dugout as manager back in 2005...and did we add he's 80? That would make him the second oldest manager in the history of Major League Baseball, trailing only Connie Mack who managed at age 87--in 1950. For the past 5 years he's been a Marlins special assistant, reporting to crazy owner Jeffery Loria.

Loria has this odd impression his team should be much better than they are. Granted they are 1-18, in the month of June, after leading the N.L East at one through most of March. Loria had tried to get rid of Fredi Gonzalez after his blowup with Hanley Ramirez a couple of years ago and basically ran Joe Girardi out of Miami. Gonzalez recovered...he's the manager in Atlanta. Girardi did alright too, ending up with the Yankees.

For his part, McKeon is a pretty good baseball manager, having won a World Series with the Marlins back in 2003.

Read more from CBSSports.com RIGHT HERE

Oddly, McKeon might just be what the young Marlins team needs. They aren't lacking in talent and have shown they can be successful. The problem has been more a lack of discipline. If nothing else, McKeon will help solve that issue.

Nobody seriously thinks that "Trader Jack"--a name earned by his penchant for trading players, is the long term solution at manager for the Marlins. But then again, who is? The minute things go bad, Loria will bail on them. Though it should be mentioned, like we said earlier, failed Florida managers tend to do pretty well once they escape the purgatory in South Florida.

DEVELOPING: Marlins Rodriguez Resigns

Well, that certainly didn't last long...

Fredi Gonzalez was bumped out last year in Miami in favor of Edwin Gonzalez. Fredi ended up as the heir apparent for Bobby Cox in Atlanta, Gonzalez was supposed to see the Marlins into their new building...

Not happening...

The Marlins have lost 17 of their past 18 games this month, the worst 18-game stretch in franchise history, and are now last place in the National League East.

Bench coach Brandon Hyde will manage the team today.

Rodriguez, the first native of Puerto Rico to manage in the majors...

Sage Steele catches up with Buster Olney
((HT: ESPN))

Buster Posey helped off field after collision at Home Plate

Buster Posey-Scott Cousins/Courtesy: csnbayarea.com

This will make a San Francisco Giants fan cringe. Star catcher Buster Posey had to be helped off the field last night during their game with the Florida Marlins after a nasty collision at home plate.

Posey was blocking the plate in the top of the 12th inning in a tie game. Scott Cousins of the Marlins was trying to score from 3rd on a short fly ball to right field. The two collided, the ball popped loose and Cousins scored. Posey had to be carried off after what appeared to be an injury to his left ankle.

Florida ended up winning the game 7-6.

Unfortunately, unlike the NBA and NHL, Major League Baseball tries their best to not let the Internets have their video, so we don't have any video to show or link to.

CSNBayarea.com does give us some reaction though:





ESPN's Linda Cohn and Stephania Bell discuss his injury, rehab, and future...
((HT: ESPN))

Florida League Game Goes 23 Innings

And it seems it almost had as many at-bats as people watching the game...

A Florida State League lasted 23 innings before the Jupiter Hammerheads Jose Duarte singled in Jaime Ortiz to beat the Clearwater Threshers 2-1.

The game ended after 5 hours, 37 minutes. Attendance was 330 for a game that began at 6:30 p.m. and ended after midnight.

The teams went scoreless from the seventh to the 23rd inning.

Each team used eight pitchers and both team's starting catchers played the entire game, and yes, not all the pitchers who pitched were pitchers...

Here's the 23rd inning and the merciful end of the game...
((HT: RogerDeanStadium/FSL))


Clearwater is a Philadelphia Phillies affiliate, while Jupiter is a Florida Marlins farm team.

No word on if the catchers get the day off today...

Cousins First Major-League Hit Gives Marlins Win

But not before he didn't even think he was going to get to the plate...

10th inning against the Braves... the Marlins Emilio Bonifacio slices a foul ball and decks his own teammate, Logan Morrison, who was in the on-deck circle. Morrison stayed down and could not continue.

Then, Scott Cousins steps up after Bonifacio triples... and you know the rest of the story...
Enjoy it before it gets pulled...
((HT: ESPN/MLBAM/MLB/FS Marlins/Youtube))

Morgan Now Captain Of 8 Game Suspension

Here's the breakdown from the battle royale between the Washington Nationals and the Florida Marlins from the other night...

Your headliner, Nats center fielder Nyjer Morgan gets eight games worth of suspension.

For the Marlins, pitcher Chris Volstad received a six-game suspension for throwing at Morgan. Pitcher Alex Sanabia is suspended for five games for swinging in the pile, first baseman Gaby Sanchez gets three for going all Kerry Von Erich on Morgan as he charged, and Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez gets a game just because. All pitcher Jose Veras received a fine.

Nationals pitcher Doug Slaten gets a three-game suspension for charging.
Manager Jim Riggleman is suspended for two games just because, and third base
coach Pat Listach for three games for jumping in the pile...

Here's the best ring charge in a long time...
((HT: MLBAM/MLB/FSFlorida/Youtube))


Actually, these guys were the best at charging the ring...
((HT: NWA/Youtube))

They're Only Making Plans For Nyjer

The Washington Nationals Nyjer Morgan can be best described as an average lead-off hitter in the Major Leagues for one of the worse franchises on the field.

But let it never be said that he isn't entertaining...

In the 16-10 poor pitch fest in Florida last night, Morgan was hit by a pitch, stole two bases down ten runs while on the bases, saw a pitch go behind him in his next at-bat, charge the mound, try to throw a puch at the Marlins Chris Volstad, get clothes-lined by Gabi Sanchez, and then storm off the field liie the perfect heel.

Here's the last incident of the night with the second at-bat...
((HT: DCSportsBog/FSFlorida/MLBAM))


The HQ knows about Morgan's very short fuse and temper to match the lack of a match.
But we also think that, in this case, he was in the right...

Nothing like cheering a guy for taking a charge...
Here's the Marlins Wes Helms after the fact... epic post...
((HT: Miami Herald/mannynavarro614))


And even more epic post from Volstad...
((HT: joecapoz/Palm Beach Post))

Coghlan gets hurt throwing pie...will this stop stupid ideas?

Chris Coghlan and Wes Helms//Courtesy: NBC Miami

The Florida Marlins are without their leftfielder for what looks like a good chunk of the rest of the season after he got hurt. How did he get hurt? Well, glad that you asked.

Apparently, Chris Coghlan, the aforementioned outfielder got injured, tearing his meniscus, after putting a "Shaving Cream" pie in Wes Helms' face after the Marlins won their game on Sunday vs. the Braves.

More from nbcmiami.com RIGHT HERE

The whole cream pie in the face in an interview thing ran its course...about 3 years ago. Back when people first started to do it...on occasion...it was funny. Now, its just plain stupid.

Maybe now that someone got hurt, it will stop, though we doubt it. Baseball players can be goofy and sometimes creative, this however isn't. Why not try something like the Braves did on a walk-off homer earlier this season and just leave the dugout. Just a thought.

Here is Coghlan talking about the injury. Courtesy: Joecapoz and You Tube:

Marlins Cut Bait, Fredi Gonzalez Fired As Manager

[HT: MLB.com, Miami Herald]

We have our first manager's head to roll in the Major League Baseball season. The Florida Marlins fired Fredi Gonzalez as well as two coaches, hitting coach Jim Presley and bench coach Carlos Tosca.

Here's the official release from the club.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20100623&content_id=11486276&vkey=pr_fla&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla

"It is never easy to make a change in managers," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said in a written statement. "Fredi has been with our club for four years. We have become close, and I am extremely fond of Fredi. I, along with all our fans, am grateful for Fredi's contributions. At the same time, we can't let personal feelings get in the way of taking steps that we believe are necessary to improve our ballclub."

Edwin Rodriguez who has managed the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Marlins Triple A franchise, will take over as the interim manager.

In two and a half season with the Gamefish Gonzalez compiled a 276-279 record and winning season in 2008 and 2009.

High expectations were placed on Gonzales by Marlins owner Jeff Loria to produce a winner. The 2010 season has been a headache from the start for the Game fish. First back in May Hanley Ramirez was pulled from a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks for not hustling on a play. Then Ramirez said he lost respect for his manager because he never played the game.

The bullpen has been mess using 17 relievers this season walking 104 batters, fourth worst by a bullpen in the majors.

Then during an 11 inning 9-8 loss to Tampa Bay, the Marlins batted out of order in the ninth inning.

Those of us at the OSG HQ are wondering if the Atlanta Braves are looking toward Fredi Gonzales to replace Bobby Cox following his retirement.


Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Breaking: Hallady equals Perfection....

***BREAKING NEWS****

We now have 20 perfect games that have been pitched in the long history of Major League Baseball.

Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies in number 20 after he threw a "Perfecto" against the Florida Marlins on a warm Saturday night in South Florida.

More from Philly.com RIGHT HERE

((Roy Halladay tonight//Courtesy: cbc.ca))

He had to be perfect to beat Marlins ace Josh Johnson and 2 relief pitchers who held the Phillies to 1 run on 7 hits tonight.

We tip our hat to Halladay who has pretty much dominated National League Hitters upon his arrival this season.

Here's your postgame, thanks to our friends at CSNPhilly...

Scott Stapp+ Marlins Baseball= Comedy Gold...

However unintentional the humor is...

You can't be serious...
((HT: noleman233))


There are no words...

Hanley And Hustle Mutually Exclusive...

Last night, Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez committed an error in the second inning as Tony Abreu's bloop dropped in left field. Ramirez ended up kicking the ball toward the left-field corner and took his time picking it up- allowing two runners to score.

Ramirez was replaced by Brian Barden the next inning. After the game, manager Fredi Gonzalez confirmed that Ramirez was pulled for not hustling.

"Hanley left the game because we felt -- he got smoked in the ankle -- but we felt whether he was hurt or not hurt or whatever it was, we felt that the effort wasn't there that we wanted," Gonzalez said. "There's 24 guys out there that are busting their butts. Cody Ross got hit with a ball 95 mph and it wasn't hit or thrown any slower and he stayed in the game making diving plays and battling, got two hits and an RBI.

"There are some injuries there, but we expect an effort from 25 guys on this team and when that doesn't happen, we have got to do something," he added.

Karl Ravech and John Kruk analyze, thanks to our friends at ESPN...


"It's his team. He can do whatever he [expletive] wants," Ramirez told reporters Tuesday.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Arizona, and he didn't see the need to apologize to the team.

"We got a lot of people dogging it after ground balls. They don't apologize," Ramirez told reporters, according to the Palm Beach Post.

PM UPDATE: Joe Capozzi from the Palm Beach Post was in a gaggle this morning talking to Ramirez... he's still defiant...

Do you respect Fredi?
“I respect everybody. But I don’t know if I get the same respect back.”

Does it hurt you to hear some of the things he said?
“I haven’t heard anything but I got a couple of phone calls they told me. It’s fine. I don’t want to hear what he says … Hopefully, I keep talking to my kids. They don’t keep me down. I’ll forget this and go forward.”

Sure you will...

Marlins Break Ground, Get Booed

((HT: NBC Miami/Carlos Miller))

After almost three hours of sitting in the sweltering sun, the estimated 5,000 fans that attended the Florida Marlins groundbreaking ceremony Saturday ((pictured, thanks Carlos Miller/NBCMiami)) were treated to a wall of posteriors during the actual groundbreaking.

It is only fitting considering how much input the people of this county had in the stadium process.

“Hey, get those people out of there!” one fan yelled.

“Move!” yelled another.

And within seconds, thousands of fans were booing at the hordes of friends and family members of politicians and dignitaries who had surrounded the actual groundbreaking – photographing the historic event up close for their personal memories - and preventing anybody else from actually witnessing it.

After realizing their blunder, a few men in suits whisked everybody away and allowed the politicians and dignitaries to re-enact the groundbreaking for the peasants in the stands as well as the reporters on the media stage.

But by then, nobody was cheering.

This is the thanks Miami residents get after being forced to pay for the new stadium without having a chance to vote on it.

Prior to the groundbreaking, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez talked about the sacred grounds the stadium was being built on, crediting the Miami Dolphins for its undefeated 1972 season and the Miami Hurricanes for its five national championships.

"As far as I’m concerned, this is sacred grounds in athletics,” he said. “Now it’s the Miami Marlins turf.”
The Miami Marlins. Yes, that should go well for the Broward and Palm Beach County fans who currently attend the games at Landshark Stadium. But whatever. They’re not paying for this stadium.

“And most of all, I’m ready to put thousands of people in Miami-Dade County to work,” he said. “People are ready to work. We saw it last week when six thousand applications were handed out in a matter of hours.

“That speaks for itself.”

Yes, but not as much as the 1,700 county employees who were laid-off last week.

Here's the coverage from NBC Miami/WTVJ-6 where you really do get to see a lot of people's backs of their fronts

Here's WSVN's version- they blew it up...
The coverage, we mean...
Here's Mike Dipasquale...

Miami-Dade Approves Bonds For Marlins Stadium

((HT: WSVN-TV))

The Florida Marlins can start construction on their new stadium.

Miami-Dade County commissioners voted 9-3 early Wednesday morning to pay for the sale of bonds for the ballpark after the Marlins pledged to pick up a possible $6.2 million shortfall.

County Manager George Burgess told commissioners that the $306 million to pay for the bonds was off by $6.2 million because of a higher interest rate. Marlins president David Samson told the commission that the club would pay for the difference and not scale back the project.

The $515 million retractable-roof ballpark is expected to open for the 2012 season in the city's Little Havana neighborhood on the site of the demolished Orange Bowl. A formal groundbreaking is scheduled for July 18.

Here's the story from Dianne Fernandez our friends at WSVN-TV...

Marlins Face More Hurdles Before Thursday Vote

((HT: WSVN/Dianne Fernandez))

It ain't over yet...

Michelle Spence-Jones is one of the swing votes for approval of the financing plan on the new Marlins Stadium that is set to be built on the site of the old Orange Bowl property.

The District 5 rep is calling for employment of local residents for up to 50-percent of the construction, using local unions for the work force, giving preference to local businesses for construction, the establishment of a trust fund for baseball fields for local kids and matching programs, and implementation of stiff financial penalties if these demands are not met after she signs off on the deal.

Yep... that's what we thought, too...