Don’t misplace your anger after the Marlins’ fire sale

We thought it was different. We thought the culture changed.

When fan-favorites and producers were shipped off wholesale to Toronto, it became exceedingly obvious that there was no change—we’re back in the same place.

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria duped us—he sold us a bill of goods. Optimism used to be aplenty, with a $100 million payroll and increased revenue streams. Now, optimism is nowhere to be found.

Team president David Samson rationalized the moves, claiming that they were trading away players from a losing team (which they were). What he neglected to mention, however, was that some of these players were the best-performing members of that losing team.

After news of this trade broke, legions of Marlins fans fomented revolts, pledging never to attend another Marlins game. These reactions were premature and rash, but the visceral emotion was evident.

As a South Floridian baseball fan, I will have no part in dwindling interest in our national pastime. The sport is already hurting, as our fast-paced lifestyle is clashing with the slow pace of baseball.

Baseball is a hand-me-down sport, instilled from generation to generation. A total boycott of all Marlins activities would be stunting the growth of interest in this sport. A movement I do support, however, is one that serves to show Loria that his actions are unacceptable.

I have dubbed this movement “The Pro-Baseball Movement.” It does not limit the growth of baseball, but it does limit the revenue to the Marlins owner.

Marlins fans can purchase game tickets off of second-hand markets (i.e. Stubhub) so as to re-purchase tickets that have already been paid for. In most cases, these tickets are also cheaper than buying directly from the Marlins.

When attending Marlins games at the pristine Marlins Park, fans should park in the nearby Little Havana “no-blockie” front yards, profiting the community rather than the Marlins’ coffers.

Bring your own food to the games. Not only will your food be healthier, it will be less bearing on your wallet.

Lastly, don’t buy new team gear from the team store. You can still enjoy the games without donning new paraphernalia.

The anger from Marlins fans is understandable. This fire sale is different than the two prior. We were promised increased revenue streams this time, putting us at the top of the league in payroll. We were bilked.

What is important, however, is not to misplace the anger. Don’t take it out on the sport and the future generations. Show Loria that this is unacceptable.

We have been fortunate to have been privy to one of the most appreciated owners in all of sports, Micky Arison. The dichotomy between Arison and Loria is jarring. One seems to care about the fans, the other doesn’t. One seems to tolerate losing some dollars, the other can’t.

Marlins fans are not owed anything. The Marlins are a private organization who can run their team in any manner that they see fit. However, that does not mean that the management cannot level with the fans. They made a mistake. It is exceptionally apparent. If you treat the fans with respect, it is reciprocated. When you don’t, it is reciprocated in an even greater amount.

This editorial is published in the December 10th, 2012 edition of the Pinecrest Tribune. 

The Pro-Baseball Movement

The actions of Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria over the last two weeks have been horrendous, in trading four of the best players on a losing team. These players, not coincidentally, are the most expensive players on that team.

As it stands now, the Marlins are committed to spend about $31 million next season. If you would like comparison, that payroll would put the Marlins at the very bottom of the league last year–by about $20 million. A steep fall from seventh overall, which is where they were last year.

There has been much chatter on a “boycott of the Miami Marlins” after news of this trade surfaced. I fully understand the sentiment. There are efficient ways to let the Marlins and, namely Jeffrey Loria, know that we are not happy with their decision-making without damaging the national pastime of baseball.

• Attend the games, if you wish. But purchase your tickets off of second-hand markets (i.e. StubHub). There is no reason to buy more tickets directly from the Marlins, and these tickets are often less expensive.
• Bring your own food to the game. From the Marlins website, you may bring in “one single serving food item contained in a clear plastic bag – Pieces of fruit must be sliced.” You may also bring “One soft-sided, factory-sealed water bottle – 20 ounces or smaller.” Save yourself some money this way, while also hitting Loria where it hurts: the wallet.
• When parking, park in the front yard of the Little Havana community. Not only will you be enriching the homeowners around the ballpark, you will not be paying for parking in the parking garages owned by the Marlins.
• If you have purchased Marlins paraphernalia already, that’s fine, I have too. But do not buy any new items from the team store. Wear the old goods (even if it is an old Reyes, Johnson, or Buehrle jersey). Save yourself the money, and keep it from the team.

Even though Loria has done his hardest, baseball should not be massacred in South Florida. The tradition of this great sport can still be salvaged. Let’s join together, and make a statement as loud as only money can.

Steroid use is being rewarded in baseball

The punishment system for steroid abuse in baseball has failed. In August of this most recent season, Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon was suspended for 50 games for an elevated testosterone level.

Despite his conviction and admission, Colon was signed to a three million dollar contract, with incentives that could boost the value to five million—the most he has been paid since 2007.

For players like Colon, steroid use has no inherent downside. He was not a candidate for Hall of Fame induction. He is not of a prominent stature in the society of baseball. He was and is, however, at a dwindling part of his career.

He has effectively lengthened his career by couple extra years and bolstered his bank account with a few extra million dollars—all by virtue of his cheating.

I have long been a proponent of strengthening the methods of disciplining those who break the rules, in terms of steroid use. The current system entails a 50-game suspension for first-time users, a 100-game suspension for second-time users, and a lifetime ban for third-time users.

I do not understand why MLB allows for so much forgiveness.  I do understand, however, why there is a lessening of a penalty for the first-time positive test. Players, most of them under the age of 30, make mistakes—a part of being a human. However, as the adage goes, “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” Expedite the process of the life-time ban. Have the second positive test trigger it. There should be no tolerance.

Players like Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez have made this name, however tarnished, due to the influence of performance-enhancing drugs. These players played in a time where there were not such restrictions on steroid use. Had they played under this testing policy, they would have assuredly triggered a positive result. In this scenario, they would have been only one positive test away from the end of their professional baseball career. I cannot fathom what kind of hard-headed stubbornness that would be required to continue using performance-enhancing drugs with that kind of consequence looming.

These players should not have been afforded the opportunity to garner such popularity, and garner such whopping paychecks. There are players who are more honest and more hardworking that deserve the attention that has been wrongfully taken.

In a similar situation as Bartolo Colon is Melky Cabrera, the former San Francisco Giants outfielder. In the same month as Colon’s suspension, Cabrera was slapped with the same 50-game punishment. Just like Colon, he was in to situation of Hall of Fame consideration. Thus far, his career has just been served as a nominal Major League Baseball player. However, he had a chance to change his status, and he did. He was having an unusually outstanding season, so this positive test, unfortunately, caught few by surprise.

However, Cabrera, now a free agent, is due for a modest-sized pay-day. His name and reputation are somewhat tarnished, but he is in a situation that he would not have been able to be in if it were not for the performance-enhancing drug.

In a logical mindset, weighing upsides and downsides, his decision is understandable. In this field, less leniency is not the right answer. Players cannot be allowed to defeat the system with these machinations.

Are High Marlins Concession Prices An Issue?

My father and I share a special bond through the sport of baseball. Every couple of years, we travel to several cities in America and watch a ballgame in each one. This year, he and I traveled to Atlanta, New York City, Boston, Washington, DC, and Baltimore and we saw six games. In all, he has visited 31 different ballparks, counting a few that are no longer in existence. He is three ballparks shy of visiting all 30 current ballparks—Arlington, Houston, and Toronto—and those will surely be checked off by next year. In my young life, I have also been fortunate enough to visit 25 different ballparks.

Enjoying a snack at a recent marlins game.

There is something about visiting a baseball park that is different than visiting a basketball arena or football field. Arena dimensions for most sports, excepting baseball, are standard. Ballparks have tiny quirks that make themselves so memorable. Fenway Park in Boston has its 37-foot Green Monster in left field, a jaggedly-designed centerfield fence, and a short porch out in right field besides “Pesky’s Pole.” AT&T Park in San Francisco has “McCovey’s Cove” past the right field fence. PETCO Park in San Diego incorporates a historical monument in the Western Metal Supply Company Building into its left field structure. Even right down the road in Little Havana, new Marlins Ballpark has quirks of its own: the beautifully hideous home run structure in center field, the lime green outfield fences, and an oh-so-very-Miami Clevelander bar beyond left field. Ballparks, including our own, are able to escape the “cookie-cutter” feel that is so present throughout most other sports arenas.

David Samson and the Miami Marlins have done a marvelous job in constructing this much-needed facility, and they must be commended. The outfield view of the Miami skyline through the glass panels is breath-taking. The massive scoreboard in centerfield may have some of the most statistics that I have seen on a single scoreboard, but sometimes a few too many (RBIs with bases empty?). And who can forget the ballpark fare, venturing far beyond hot dogs and hamburgers and ranging into medianoches, pastrami sandwiches on rye, and even a delicious shrimp burger. And while the food and drink may be appealing, the prices are less so—a theme that is not new to any Miami sports fan. On our recent visit to Turner Field in Atlanta, my dad ordered his favorite Bloody Mary. It ran him $6.75. An order of the same drink in Miami would run you into the lower double digits. Indeed, in a story by Kenny Malone at WLRN, he found that the $8.00 Bud Light at Marlins Park is the “most expensive domestic draft beer in all of baseball.” However, Malone also points out that at 56 cents per ounce, Miami falls into 15th—right in the middle of the pack.

My father and I were astonished by the fact that even major markets—markets that dwarf Miami—such as New York City and Boston boasted food prices less than those in Marlins Park. Those cities are notoriously good “baseball towns.” Could it be possible that the two could be correlated? Lower food prices in turn create a family-friendly atmosphere at the ballpark. The ability for a family to spend an enjoyable day at the ballpark hinges at the pecuniary implications of spending that day out.

The Marlins have a grand opportunity to begin a legacy of home-grown Fish fans. For the long-term wellbeing of the organization, the support from the hometown fans is of the utmost importance. Take a glance at the teams that have been the most successful in baseball: Red Sox, Yankees, Cardinals, Phillies, Reds, Rangers, Dodgers, and more. The one theme that these teams share is a solid and supportive fan base. And the best way to nurture and create this fan base would be to make the game-day experience as enjoyable as possible.

(Written on June 21, 2012 and published in the Pinecrest Tribune)

Are the Marlins over-extended?

Believe it or not Miami, there is another local professional sports team currently playing. Your Miami Marlins have been playing winning baseball for the majority of this season—apart from a recent skid. And, as Miami Heat fans know very well, losing causes some widespread panic. Some of this panic has been directed at Marlins management for giving out undeserved long-term contracts.

As an organization, the Marlins have long been reticent to dole out these long-term contracts. However, with the dawning of the “Marlins Park era,” their philosophy has shifted. This offseason, the Marlins and shortstop José Reyes agreed to a rich 6-year, $106 million contract. Reyes was coming off of a year with the New York Mets in which he led the National League in batting average and triples, and also put up the highest OPS of his career. Despite the fact that his stolen base total and his home runs have been on a steady decline, Reyes nonetheless continued to be a dominant force. While Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria dug deep into his pocketbook to fork over an average annual value of $17.6 million to the then-28-year-old middle infielder, Reyes has proved why he is worthy of that contract. Although his offensive output so far this year has been less than expected, his career trend would claim that this is nothing more than an aberration or a slow start. For more perspective on what Reyes has and will bring to this team, look no further than the possibility of Matt Dominguez as the Marlins’ everyday third baseman, which would have been a reality had it not been for the signing of Reyes.

While long-term contracts have plagued many an organization (see: Barry Zito, Vernon Wells, and Mike Hampton), abstaining from these contracts would leave out the very real possibility of a positive outcome. Although Marlins ace Josh Johnsonhas had his struggles this year, he looks to be rebounding to his usual form. When Johnson and the Marlins signed his 4-year, $39 million contract extension, he was coming off of a 15-5 and 3.23 ERA season. In his first contract year, 2010, Johnson continued to improve. He finished the season 11-6, and had a National league-leading ERA of 2.30. His next season promised to be immensely successful, but it was cut short after only nine starts due to injury.

My view before Opening Day.

If one word can be assigned to another recent recipient of a Marlins long-term contract Mark Buehrle, that word would be “consistent.” From 2001-2011, he has started more than 30 games and has had an ERA less than 5.00, and in some cases, much lower than 5.00. The Marlins rewarded him with a 4 year, $58 million contract. So far in 2012, this contract has paid off.

Although the Marlins have not had any long-term contracts that could be considered “major busts,” there have been some that have not lived up to their expectations. Hanley Ramírez’s 6 year, $70 million contract has surely not been fulfilled. Likewise, while Ricky Nolasco has been decent, decent doesn’t equate to 3 years and $26.5 million.

In a similar fashion to how Florida Marlins fans called out for the extension of Miguel Cabrera, Miami Marlins fans are now calling for the extension of power-hitting extraordinaire Giancarlo Stanton. He has become very well-known for hitting home runs to distances previously thought unreachable. Although he will not reach free agency until 2017, the best time to extend his contract would be right now. Wait any longer, and the potential cost to keep him a Marlin will skyrocket. A fitting comparison to Stanton’s potential cost would be Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos González. After three seasons in the MLB, González was signed to a 7 year, $80 million contract. In addition, González may have put up even more impressive statistics than Stanton has, so far. If the Marlins were to extend Stanton, his price may be even lower than $80 million. His contract would most likely be in the Hanley Ramírez range, a range that even the stingy Marlins management of years past was willing to enter. Long term contracts can be risky, but without risk, there is little to no chance for a positive outcome. Marlins management, don’t abstain from giving out long-term contracts, just be careful.

For the Miami Heat, Consistency is Key

“Stay the course.”

If you have heard Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra in even a couple of post-game press conferences this year and last, you have surely heard him use (and over-use) that phrase.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 24: Dwyane Wade #3 and Mario Chalmers #15 of the Miami Heat celebrate after Wade hit a shot and was fouled against the Indiana Pacers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on May 24, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Heat defeated the Pacers 105-93 to win the series. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

But for as good as the Heat have been this season, they haven’t always stayed on that course. Dwyane Wade scoring 5 points and making 2 out of 13 shots from the court didn’t help the Heat’s case in Game 3 of the series versus the Indiana Pacers. Of course, the Heat fans’ reactionary nature always tends to exacerbate the issues at hand. Because when this team is clicking, there is no other team that is more efficient, and I claim more entertaining. However, when this team begins to wobble, cocky Heat fan disappears, and transforms into anxious Heat fan.

When Dwyane Wade took part in the worst playoff game of his career, point guard Mario Chalmers filled the void, draining 10 of 15 from the floor, and tallying 25 points. Chalmers had only scored more than 25 once this season, in an overtime game vs. Atlanta, in which he played 49 minutes. In fact, the only time that Chalmers scored more than 25 in a regulation game during his NBA career was when he dropped 30 against the Toronto Raptors in early 2009. For some perspective, this 2009 Heat team also featured the likes of Jermaine O’Neal, Daequan Cook, Shavlik Randolph, and Dorell Wright. The Heat went on to lose that game 120-113. Delving even deeper into Mario Chalmers’s past, the only time he scored more than 25 at the University of Kansas was once, in 2008 vs. the University of Texas when he dropped 30. The reason for this digression is the worthy question that followed after Chalmers’s Game 3 performance, “Where did that come from?”

Udonis Haslem is shooting a career low 42% from the field this season. To make matters worse, he is shooting 40% from 10 to 15 feet and 35% from 16 feet to the three-point arc. It has been painstakingly difficult watching the beloved Haslem take crooked jumper after crooked jumper this season. In Game 4 against Indiana, we saw the old Udonis Haslem again. He put up 14 points in what was very close to a must-win game for the Heat, with one eye partially covered with a bandage after suffering a cut above his eye. He also tallied 10 points in Game 5, while also energizing his team and the Heat fan base with his retaliatory flagrant foul on Tyler Hansbrough. Once again, Heat fans asked themselves, “Where was this all season?”

The same can be said for players like Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Norris Cole. They all have shown signs of efficiency and productivity, but only in glimpses. At least Mike Miller has the excuse of being injured, as he has been for what seems like his entire Miami Heat career. The one constant that exists on this team is, as expected, LeBron James. Contrary to popular opinion, James has always been able to carry this Heat team in times of need. Removing the anomaly of the Game 3 performance, Dwyane Wade has also been able to be effective for the majority of this season.

Some of the frustration that exists from the Heat fan base exists because from night to night, it is unclear what Heat team is going to show up. The Heat quickly went down 9-0 to the Pacers in Game 4, and the Heat fan base, already in a volatile position from the embarrassment in Game 3, did not know if their team could recover. Luckily, they did. For as dominating as this team has proved to be, what is to be expected always tends to be questionable. For the Heat, talent is not an issue. However, consistency has shown to be one. This is absolutely not a be-all and end-all for this team, but in terms of an easier path to a championship, it would be more than beneficial.

(Written on May 29th, 2012 and published in the Pinecrest Tribune)

Panthers Facelift Unbelievable and Underappreciated

If you have attended a Florida Panthers game in the last two years, you’d know that the Panthers have been building up. The pregame video included that the Panthers were subscribing to their own “blueprint.” In this blueprint, Panthers general manager Dale Tallon promised to rebuild the team in the same fashion that he rebuilt the Chicago Blackhawks and led them to a Stanley Cup championship. While the pursuit of a championship for the Panthers is still underway, Tallon has surely rebuilt the team in remarkable fashion.

The Florida Panthers stand for the U.S. national anthem before their NHL hockey game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Sunrise, Florida. REUTERS/Rhona Wise

The Panthers’ offseason spending unfortunately did not gain the publicity that it should have. In this sports land full of names like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, José Reyes, and Hanley Ramírez, it’s difficult for names like Goc, Fleischmann, and Théodore to garner much excitement. But, for those who were following closely, this offseason was unreal and moved at a lightning pace. While the 2011 NHL trading deadline may have indicated that the Panthers had no inclination to improve their team, it was actually moving the organization in a very positive direction. In a matter of five days, the Panthers traded away five of their veterans, and, in return, acquired expiring contracts and draft picks. While sending away some of their most valuable pieces seemed like a salary dump by Tallon, he had the offseason in mind.

Tallon wasted no time in the offseason. Even before free agents were eligible to negotiate with any team, he acquired Tomáš Kopecký from the Chicago Blackhawks for only a late draft pick. The Panthers were able to hammer out a four-year contract with the winger, and that started the Panthers out in the right direction. As soon as players were able to negotiate freely, Tallon was able to reel in big name after big name. However, in this city of big names, Upshall is not one of them. Be that as it may, in the NHL world, the Panthers had done well for themselves. The Panthers were in quite a unique situation, as they were significantly below the salary floor, and were required to spend a large sum of money this offseason. This gave Tallon all the freedom that he needed in order to construct this team in the way that he knew would produce a contender. An important factor is that Tallon drew from experience. He knew which players would be beneficial to his team, because he was the in the upper management of the Blackhawks, where many of his players formerly played. In all, five prominent players on the Panthers’ roster were members of the Blackhawks while Tallon was employed as general manager and senior advisor: Tomáš Kopecký, Kris Versteeg, John Madden, Jack Skille, and Brian Campbell.

When the Panthers began their playoff journey against the New Jersey Devils, they had 26 men on their roster. Only nine of those players were there for the final game of the 2010-2011season. Even more shocking is the fact that only six of those players were a member of the Panthers when Dale Tallon was named general manager in May 2010. Tallon’s plan was not only in effect during the offseason, however. Since the start of the season, the Panthers acquired six veteran players without giving up a high draft pick or any of their highly-rated prospects. The Panthers have built their team in a very smart fashion, and they continue to build on it.

While some may argue that Miami is not much of a sports town, and there may be some validity to that case, there are very few who can argue that South Florida is a hockey town. However, South Florida sure does like a winner. And that is exactly what the Panthers have produced. With an all-new slogan of “We See Red,” the Panthers fans have been energized. With so much happening in South Florida, it is difficult to capture the city’s attention, especially as a hockey team. Dale Tallon improved the Panthers from a 15^th seed to a 3^rd seed in only a single offseason. If the Panthers continue to win, they will capture this city’s attention, as they did in 1996. And if the winning hasn’t made this season electrifying, the return of the rats sure have.

(Written on April 13th, 2012 and published in the Pinecrest Tribune)