MarlinFan84

It's been my experience that BCS teams dont want to play teams from the valley...you really think someone wants to go into the SIU Arena, or Qwest Center, or Carver Arena, or the UNI Dome...places where the home team almost always comes out on top? This dude says the Valley schools are ducking him? I say the BCS needs to grow some grapefruits and play the MVC. I have long wanted a MVC/Big 10 challenge, much in the same vein as in the ACC/Big 10 challenge, except all games on neutral courts(like the family arena in st. charles, MO), with the worst team in the big 10 from the previous season not able to compete. I have sent letters to the offices of both conferences. Detailed, well thought out, letters. The MVC is getting stronger and much more exposed(and overall play) without the BCS schools, so they might as well take their licks now before they get introduced come tourney time.

Chris Lowry has been getting alot of attention lately, people saying how alot of big time programs are going to give him and other valley coaches long hard looks. But he's not Painter, he's not Webber...this is not a stepping stone...this guy is a Saluki heart and soul, I dont see him going anywhere. Lowery also said something that I never thought of, that since this is such a young team(2 jrs, 2 sophomores, 1 true freshman starting), they dont know they are supposed to go in there and feel pressure. Playing with all heart. I hope we see a nice run in the tournament, and if we get put in Memphis bracket, I think we can beat them(and I think we can take it to the wire with any team in the tournament, our defense is that good). That loss to OK St was a heartbreaker, I hope we can go give them hell this year, make up for the second half of that game...I want a sweet 16 at the very least...maybe I'm a greedy fan? Who cares. Go Salukis

I say this with no shame...I have a man crush on Bryan Mullins, he makes Brooks leaving stomachable...if he comes out the gate as a scorer, I honestly believe the Salukis can run the table in the MVC next year, and thats a bold statement.

Good article overall, although he does veer off im some places, like the bashing of Shane Battier. But this article shows why JJ Redick is overrated aboz56... he's not nearly the shooter ESPN and Dukie V would want you to believe(this is a cbs sportsline article...if someone had written bad about JJ @ espn, they'd be out of the job...how an entire network can suck off one guy, a guy whos no better than a late 2nd rnd pick in the NBA draft, baffles me). He is not a good passer, he is an average at best ball handler, he cant create shots for himself, he's not a good defender. I'll even say that, besides free throws, he is nothing spectacular as a shooter either. He takes alot of bad shots. And if it wasn't for all the cheap calls that JJ and Duke in general get, he wouldn't even get all of those free throw attempts. If JJ was at any school besides Duke(well, maybe Duke or UNC), he wouldn't even be a blip on the radar.

Hey all, been a while since I posted here. Good times, my Marlins are rebuilding, I am excited to watch these young guys play their butts off. But right now, lets talk college basketball. I am from southern Illinois, and have been a Saluki fan since birth. I spit on the Illini, they mean nothing. It's all about the egyptian dogs where I am from. They had a tough time this season, at the start mainly. Then Bryan Mullins got inserted into the starting lineup, and things changed. The conference wasn't easy this year, mainly because the MVC was so deep and so good(possiblity of 5 or 6 bids into the dance). But we earned our way in, by dominating(except for the UNI game) the MVC tournament in St. Louis. I dont know how many of you watched, but the dawgs were on fire. But to suceed in the tournament, we need to keep with the defense(top 10 scoring defense) and hit our open shots. Randal Falker needs to keep amazing me, as every game he does something that makes my jaw drop. Tatum has been on fire as of late, that needs to keep on keeping on. Matt Shaw plays so hard, he creates so many opportunities for the team. Tony Young was somewhat cold in the MVC tournament, I hope he gets his touch back for the dance. Bryan Mullins is such an amazing point guard, he excells on defense. He also creates many open looks for himself, but seems timid and afraid to shoot. He has a beautiful shot, I just wish he'd take them more often. I wish my team the best of luck, maybe the two seniors(Kyle Smithpeters and Austin Brooks, two walk ons) will get a little playing time. Best of luck in the tourney dawgs, suprise the world.

The city/county passed a bill contributing money for a new stadium. Then a bill asking for a tax break went to the Florida house and passed soundly. After all of this, with the city/county/team/Florida house of representitives all pledging money, the state senate leader wouldn't even let the senate vote on it. The team was 4/5ths of the way to a new stadium, and the senate leader(probably in Hueyzenga's pocket) wouldnt let the senate vote on it and it failed, even though there was much speculation that the bill would pass in the senate easily.

I like Uggla, and see him taking the starting 2B job next season. The only reason I can see that Arizona left him unprotected is because they are glutton with infielders. As for McGrew, I would of rather saved the $50K, unless he really is good enough to win a bullpen spot.

Once again my only complaint is that we didnt get a position prospect back. Sure Pie or Murton for Pierre straight up wasn't going to get it dont, but we could of sweetened the deal some. Not as furious about this as the others...us not getting Shoppach(or trading Dook to the Dbacks when an offer with Snyder was on the table)are the ones that really burn my ass.

I'd rather trade them for good position prospects right now. TB would probably take Mitre for Gathright. Throw in another prospect to Tampa Bay and we have Reid Brignac, or see if they will bite for Upton. Either way, we fill the need @2B and CF. Now all we need is a good young LF. Seattle wants Villone back, package him with a prospect for Jeremy Reed. There, our OF and IF is complete, maybe another young C somewhere since all we have is Willingham...all bat and no D, and Jourgenson and Treanor, all D and no bat. We have a bullpen already with Bowyer, Kensing, Tankersly, Bostick, Resop, Delgado, and Messenger. Use Tyler as the #4 starter next year and the year after as a stop gap for Chris Volstad.

Yes this is getting ridculous. We now have holes in LF, CF, 2B, and C. I dont think Josh Willingham is good enough to start at the MLB level, but he is right now our starting catcher, but I still think we need another. But we have these huge gaping holes at 4 positions... Delgado for Petit and Jacobs(good move, Jacobs is a good 1B, that filled a hole...good job Beinfest) Lowell, Beckett, Mota for Hanley Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, Jesus Delgado, and another MiLB pitcher(once again, good move...filled the hole at 2B, but would getting Shoppach instead of Delgado and the other pitcher of been that hard?) Castillo for Bowyer and Tyler...two pitchers, yet no 2B Lo Duca for Gaby Hernandez and MiLB pitcher...bad deal Pierre for Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto, and some other thrower blah blah So, we trade a power hitting first baseman, a leadoff hitter with a career average over .300 and had 241 hits in 2004, a (3X)gold glove 2nd baseman, a gold glove 3B, and an all star catcher, and we get two...count them two...position prospects in return, and only one filled a position that was vacated. Yet we traded two pitchers, and got 11 pitching prospects back, in a system that is already loaded with quality young arms. A system that took 5 pitchers in the first round of last years draft. Keep Bowyer, Tyler, Delgado, and Hernandez, trade the rest to fill the rest of our holes with prospects at their respective positions. Please. We need Delgado and Bowyer in the pen, Tyler for the rotation until Volstad is ready, and well Hernandez is just 21. Sanchez and Petit are commodities, teems need good young cheap MLB ready pitching. TB comes to mind. Cincinnatti really comes to mind. You know Oakland and KC would probably be interested. Both LA teams. Sure, 13 players in return for 7 is good, espicially when you hear some of those names. But, when 5 of the players dealt are position players and 11 in return are pitchers, that is lopsided and really doesn't favor us. Please spin these guys somewhere else Beinfest, I beg of you.

QUOTE(YASNY @ Nov 28, 2005 -> 04:01 AM) There are other threads/forums on the board that would be more appropriate to discuss these issues than a congrats thread from a Marlin fan. MarlinFan84, please accept our apologies for the lack of tact of that post. It's no big. I am not depressed right now, I am happy about the moves we have made and the moves will still will make(Pierre, Lo Duca, Villone, and Castillo are gone and we will get good prospects in return...we have several FA's that we will offer arbitration to and not accept so we will be getting a nice # of draft picks)...we will compete again by 2007. Until then, good luck. If you see the big teal machine in 07, look out.

QUOTE(timotime @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 10:56 PM) sarah michelle gellar brings me to awe. man, i hate to burst a bubble, but if the fish move, it aint going to be to another city in FL. they are going to vegas for sure. but i hope they stay too. i dont know what else the miami fans want, they have two WS champs already...they must be unappreciative, i guess. your thoughts? Ahh SMG is quite hot. Thats a pic from Buffy(insert joke that makes fun of me here)...my favorite show. Anyhow, with the negative stigma of gambling, and the high rate of overturn in that city(I mean, in the summer, most people going to the games would be tourists taking a break from the casinos), I dont see them relocating there. I think if a stadium issue is not worked out with any of the towns surrounding Miami, Jacksonville and Orlando would be tried first. There is a minor league/spring training complex in Orlando at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex called Cracker Jack Stadium(current capacity 9000 I believe), that could be easily renovated and expanded to hold MLB capacity(I am guessing around 32-35,000), and the city of Jacksonville would be more than willing to help build a stadium IMO. Orlando is BTW the 20th ranked market in the US(only 3 behind Miami). So if a plan could be worked out between the team and city to upgrade that stadium, I think that is the most viable market. Jacksonville is ranked 52nd in market size. Here are some pics of Cracker Jack Stadium:

Not either of them?

We are still trying to trade Juan Pierre, and the ChiSawx were one of the potential suitors. I have heard good things about both of these guys, and would love to have either of them. What are the chances that we could pry one of them away?

I wouldn't mind trading Pierre to you. I'd rather have Brian Anderson than anything the Cubs are offering, but at the same time the prospects we get from the Cubs are presumably going to be used to throw at Cincy and TB for Mo Pena and Gathright. But Brian Anderson intrigues me, I know he is good but was wondering where he fit in the future plans of the White Sox and just how valueable he is to you guys.

I hope against hope that we never move away from the Miami area, and if we do it is to Orlando or Jacksonville. The F logo just still brings me to awe.

I am a little late, sorry, I forgot I was a member of this board lol. Anyhow, congratulations on your 2005 World Series championship, and good luck in 06.

I made these today. I think I am getting better.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Aug 31, 2005 -> 08:37 PM) After all the criticsm or critiquing is a better word, I think he did a nice job for his first ever wallpaper. Thanks I am making one for yall right now, a backdrop of Comiskey, with the texture of the image tinkered with. It will have Garland, Buehrle, and Garcia all getting ready to deliver a pitch in the forground, and the caption "Pride of the South Side". I'm having trouble finding good pictures of all 3...but I hope it turns out nice. I did this one tonight.

Ok I guess my other post got deleted...I have started making wallpapers, this is my first try, and I was wanting some opinions.

I've started fiddling with making wallpapers, and I completed this one today(my 1st). I know it probably sucks, but I was hoping I could get some helpful input.

At least Pierre gets recognition, but the part that makes me laugh is when they talk about Rollins "ranging deep in the hole to knock down a grounder"...if i am not mistaken he has the worst RF and ZR of any NL east SS.

I've been to New Comiskey(I dont want to call it US Cellular Field) twice, once when I was 13 to see the Yankees and the first time was when I was either 6 or 7 and I was a big Nolan Ryan fan, like my ultimate role model, and my parents drove me up there to watch him pitch.

Ya about Buerhle, it was weird. We live out in the boonies and have people knocking on our door all the time asking us to pull them out. This was the winter after his rookie season, there was snow on the ground so of course he was all bundled up and I didn't recognize him. And since people come to our door all the time I didn't think anything about it. Then I was watching spring training coverage and I am like "hmmm....CRAP!!" I went in and asked my dad "hey last deer season that was Mark Buerhle that came to our door wasn't it" and of course it was and I was so ticked that I didn't recognize him. I know this will sound bad, but appearantly he hunts down here all the time I am hoping he gets stuck close to our house again lol.

QUOTE(UofIChiSox @ Aug 8, 2005 -> 11:31 AM) Sorry you got stuck with AJ Burnett!! That's a sweet story about MB though, I would have crapped my pants if I were you. Nothing to be sorry about bud, AJ is my fav player, possibly my all time fav fish, and I am holding out hope that we will be able to give him the deal he wants this offseason. Whats yalls playoff rotation going to be, Buerhle/Garland/Garcia with Contreras moving to long relief?