Ricky Nolasco’s goal: Issue 25 or fewer bases on balls in 2010
One time in his life he couldn’t do it. Ricky Nolasco couldn’t throw strikes.
Fresh out of middle school, Nolasco joined the summer ball team at Rialto (Calif.) High School. He transferred there and was earmarked to play for the varsity team as a freshman.
“I was a little stressed out about that,” said Nolasco, who will make his 2010 debut Wednesday night against the Mets. “I remember that summer walking a ton of guys. That was the only time in my life I walked guys and had that taste of it. I hated it.”
Still does. Nolasco berated himself after his final Grapefruit League outing. He walked the last hitter he faced after getting ahead 0-2. It was the first and only batter that saw four balls from Nolasco in 25 1/3 innings. He added another five innings without a walk in Friday’s exhibition game at Double-A Jacksonville.
In 2008, Nolasco walked 42 in 212 1/3 innings. The only Marlins starter to total fewer bases on balls while amassing 200-plus innings was Kevin Brown in 1996 (33 in 233 innings). Brown won’t own that distinction much longer if Nolasco accomplishes his 2010 goal.
Click here to read the full article – By Juan C. Rodriguez of Sun-Sentinel
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Florida Marlins’ Chris Coghlan named NL Rookie of the Year
Chris Coghlan returned to his home in Tarpon Springs Monday empty handed from a two-week hunting trip to Kansas.
But the Marlins left fielder then bagged a trophy bigger than any potential deer on Tuesday when he was named the National League Rookie of the Year.
Coghlan, 24, beat out runner-up J.A. Happ of Philadelphia and third-place finisher Tommy Hanson of Atlanta, both pitchers, in becoming the third Marlins player to win the award. He joins pitcher Dontrelle Willis in 2003 and shortstop Hanley Ramirez in 2006.
Coghlan received 17 first place votes, six seconds and two thirds for 105 points. Happ had 94 points with 10 first place votes. Hanson had 37 points, followed by Pittsburgh center fielder Andrew McCutchen (25) and Milwaukee infielder Casey McGehee (18) in the voting conducted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America
Click here to read the full article – By Tom D’angelo of Palm Beach Post
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Ramirez should give team its first batting champion
By virtue of Albert Pujols going 0 for 4 Saturday and Hanley Ramirez going 1 for 2, the Marlins Get your Marlins Tickets now! will probably have their first batting champion.
Ramirez, who entered the game 11 for his past 62, hit an RBI double in the first and lined out in the third before exiting with a right knee contusion suffered on a steal of third in the first inning.
Ramirez raised his average to .342, 13 points ahead of Pujols. Pablo Sandoval began the day at .329. The Giant could finish 8 for 8 and still wouldn’t catch Ramirez.
“I know I was struggling, but I wasn’t looking on the computer to see what they were hitting,” Ramirez said. “I don’t think I did it myself. Everybody gave me little tips. I dedicate it for everybody in here.”
Click here to read the full article – By Juan C. Rodriguez of sun-sentinel.com
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Florida Marlins know a larger payroll means some players won’t return in 2010
The Marlins fell short of the playoffs despite a winning season, which is causing conflicting thoughts for second baseman Dan Uggla: He can’t wait to see how they fare next year, but he knows he might not return.
Uggla is not alone. It will cost at least $43 million to bring back the current 25-man roster, and players know that won’t happen.
The Marlins, who conclude the season with a three-game series in Philadelphia starting Friday, aren’t expected to spend much more in 2010 than the $36.8 million they spent on this year’s payroll.
That means the organization will have to make some hard decisions regarding 13 arbitration-eligible players and three free agents.
“Maybe one or two guys are gone. You’ve got to deal with that and move forward,” said veteran infielder Wes Helms, who is signed through next season. “This is a very promising organization. They’ve shown they can win with a low payroll, with different players every year.”
Click here to read the full article – By JOE CAPOZZI of palmbeachpost.com
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Marlins rally past Phils in walk-off fashion
All the odds are still stacked against them, but until they are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the Marlins are going to enjoy the ride.
They did so on a soggy Wednesday night. Few victories this year felt as sweet as the walk-off effort against the first-place Phillies.
Brett Carroll’s two-out pinch-hit single off Brad Lidge capped a two-run ninth inning that rallied the Marlins to a 7-6 victory in front of 31,042 who sat through a 45-minute rain delay at Land Shark Stadium.
The game, carried nationally on ESPN, was thrilling and featured plenty of drama.
Jorge Cantu, who went 4-for-5, pulled Florida even with a two-out single in the ninth, setting up Carroll’s first career walk-off hit. It was Florida’s 10th walk-off victory and 40th comeback effort of the season.
Click here to read the full article – By Joe Frisaro of MLB.com
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Coghlan’s rise got its start on the Cape
To this day, Chris Coghlan and Evan Longoria still laugh about it.
As teammates in the Cape Cod League in summer 2005, Coghlan was primarily used at third base while batting cleanup. Longoria, meanwhile, played mostly second base and hit third.
“It’s funny because he hit third and I hit fourth,” said Coghlan, now a rookie left fielder for the Marlins. “Each time we’d run into each other back home, he lives in Tampa now, too, there is always that memory. We’d joke about it because, I mean, he’s got more power than I do.”
Back then, both players were striving to make names for themselves at the Cape Cod League, the premier wood-bat summer league for college players.
Click here to read the full article – By Joe Frisaro of MLB.com
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Already great, Hanley is getting better
He has started back-to-back All-Star Games, put up early numbers comparable to some of the best ever at his position, is a popular No.1 pick in fantasy leagues and is having the season of his life
But what may be unnerving to some of history’s greatest shortstops is this: Hanley Ramirez is still getting better.
“Every time I see him, he does something that’s very impressive,” Hall of Famer Hank Aaron said. “He’s got all the tools — everything.”
In one 6-foot-3, 225-pound body, Ramirez can hit for average like Derek Jeter, drive the ball out of the park like Ernie Banks, run like Honus Wagner and play above-average defense — perhaps not Ozzie Smith-like, but very respectable, after some major improvements.
Click here to read the full article – By Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com
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Sanchez aims to end season strong
At times, the Marlins see flashes of what made Anibal Sanchez so successful during his rookie season.
Then, at other times, the team watches the 25-year-old labor with his command. His pitch count tends to rise, and his outings become short.
Regaining the form of his 2006 rookie season remains a high priority for Sanchez, who has dealt with right shoulder issues since his first big league campaign.
When healthy, Sanchez has the potential to become an elite pitcher. The problem right now is not so much physically, but more mechanically.
Click here to read the full article – By Joe Frisaro of MLB.com
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Marlins pound Mets to complete sweep
All season, the Marlins have stressed winning series. Now, with games winding down, there is a necessity to compile some sweeps. The Marlins did just that this week against the Mets at Citi Field.
Powered by Nick Johnson’s four RBIs and Hanley Ramirez’s three hits, the Marlins cruised to a 13-4 win over the Mets on Thursday night in front of 37,620 at Citi Field.
The win gave the Marlins their first sweep over the Mets in New York since taking four straight Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2004. Now at 75-65, the Marlins are 10 games over .500 for the first time since they were 11-1 on April 19.
Click here to read the full article – By Joe Frisaro of MLB.com
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‘Uncle Wes’ leads Marlins by example
Step out of line in the Marlins’ clubhouse, and chances are that you’ll get an earful from Uncle Wes. Do something constructive during a game, and you can bank on receiving a pat on the back from Uncle Wes.
On a youthful Marlins squad, Wes Helms is a stabilizing presence. A role model coming off the bench, the 33-year-old is one of the team’s most respected players.
Established as one of the top pinch-hitters in the game, Helms makes contributions when called upon to play. But perhaps the biggest impact he makes is helping mold a youthful squad.
The way he constantly checks up on players prompted outfielder Brett Carroll to call him Uncle Wes. The nickname has caught on. Catcher John Baker had special “Uncle Wes” T-shirts made in Helms’ honor, and a few are circulating around the Marlins’ clubhouse.
Click here to read the full article – By Joe Frisaro of MLB.com
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