The man is a tough nosed no nonsense manager who will whip our lazy players into shape. So long we've had a culture of having players' managers, but its time to get a guy in here who will show these youngsters how its done. Sure Mills hasn't had much of an audition, but I believe you go after the best guy available. Imagine Freddi letting Lee have it for walking to first haha!
You can't fire Mills this early. Hard to understand the Marlins. They should have never fired Girardi, and now they fire another good manager.
If the Marlins could ever hold onto their good pieces and managers, they could build a dynasty. Spending on Josh Johnson was a big step to show they are serious about signing marquee players for more than their 6 controllable years. Once they get this new stadium built, they may have the opportunity to explore options of Keeping their sure fire top prospect talent for decades at a time. I really like Freddi as a manager, but Brad Mills is doing the best job he can. Wait until we get some talent on the field for this guy. He doesn't complain or hold grudges against his players. This is a player first coach with a winners attitude. I like Brad Mills and want to keep him manager until the players stop playing for him.
Mills has learned from years as the Red Sox bench coach. There is every reason to believe that he will be successful here given time. Remember, Cooper was not a "player's manager." Remember how that worked out? The chemistry in every clubhouse is different. Perhaps the Marlins understood that. Since they appear ready to hire Valentine...perhaps they don't. Time will tell. If you fire your manager every year or two, in time nobody worth a damn will want the job.
What? Girardi should have been picking up the tab for Josh Johnson's tommy john surgery. And Freddi Gonzalez? Are we serious? He's also terrible. Do you guys ever think there's a reason he got fired so early in the season?
Yes, because nobody respects Earl Weaver, Jack McKeon or Jim Leyland either. Mills isn't going anywhere soon.
You are blaming an arm injury on Girardi? He didn't overwork him. He got hurt. It happens. Yes I think there is a reason he got fired early. Because the Marlins management is terrible.
JJ started the game, then there was a lengthy rain delay. The opposing pitcher was pulled, but idiot Girardi sent JJ back on to the mound. Yes, I am blaming his stupidity for JJ's elbow problems. Girardi also wanted to play Willingham as catcher and wasn't fond of JJ or Nolasco in the rotation to start the season. The GM had to step in and overrule him. The Marlins, despite one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, have two world series rings in the last 15 years. Two. Say what you want about their management, but it's been good enough to make the WS and win it twice. I know some posters look down on them and think the Astros are such a better organization... but when it comes down to the nuts and bolts, all anyone should care about is championships. I would trade the Astros making a playoff run every year for 6 years for just ONE World Series ring.
Why would it be bothersome that the manager didn't want to start with two guys in the rotation? I really don't understand that. And I don't really blame a manager for not wanting to pull a guy who threw 9 pitches. The other pitcher threw 34 pitches, and stayed in the game as well. Throw in they were trying to make the playoffs, then it makes even more sense. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=260912128 The Marlins actually spent a lot of money to win their first title. Then of course traded everyone away. After 2003 they once again cut payroll. They make the right moves with drafting and developing players, but they let finances dictate everything. Sometimes it isn't their fault, but sometimes it is. Personally I wouldn't like to lose every player we ever get.
It might be bothersome because those two guys would end up being the foundation of their rotation, yet he felt they weren't good enough to be given a chance? JJ had elbow problems prior to the rain delay game... I understand wanting to go for it, but with a young pitcher who already has problems like that, it's just a stupid risk. Congrats, you won manager of the year.. and you lost your ace for the entire next year. Doesn't seem worth it to me. I don't think the Marlins payroll is their choice -- they don't own the stadium they bleed in and that's a big drain on them. This should be helped in a few years when their new stadium opens; I know several fans expect the payroll to rise once this happens, and is one of the reasons they give Hanley one of the biggest contracts in their franchise. They're forced to let finances dictate.. I don't think, presently, they can snap their fingers and carry an Astros-size payroll on a consistent yearly basis. Personally I would rather have a World Series ring to brag about than be paying Lance Berkman $15M to bat .220 because our fans have loved him for so many years.. but maybe that's just me.
Did you feel that way watching Biggio get 3,000 hits? I didn't. I wished he was still a great player, but I was happy to have him all the way.
Yes, I would rather have a WS ring than the memory of Biggio getting 3,000 hits. It was a great individual accomplishment.. but I'd rather have the team/city accomplishment that comes with winning the WS.
