Edit: Craig here.  The following post was first made on FishStripes on April 3, 2006,  Since you can't improve on a classic, it is reposted here today.  If you didn't know Wiggins, I immediately know two things about you.  One: you still own all the pieces of your family's silverware.  And two: you missed out on a lot of laughs.  So without any further ado, here is an oldie but a goodie.

"Ichthyomancy - what the hell is that?"  Do you say?

Well... I'm glad I'm here to help.

If one were to check the site dictionary one would see that the definition is "Divination by the heads or the entrails of fishes."  

Now - isn't that helpful?

Okay, okay - enough beating around the bush - Ichthyomancy is our fun way to make predictions about upcoming games, getting everyone involved and having a grand old time with each game of the season.  It's fun, it's free and everyone's invited!

Here's how it works (a lot of you already know this but for our more recent friends, or just for anyone who hasn't played before) -

For each game we will have an open thread, and in the comments for that we will invite anyone who wishes to, to make predictions about the game (whether you actually use the heads and entrails of fish to make your predictions - I leave that up to you).  After the game, we will give out points to those who made the best predictions - keeping a tally of points as the season goes on and crowning a glorious winner at the end!

For each game you can make three predictions -

1. Attendance.  This is straightforward enough, and I think the object for most of the games at JRS (since I still can't bring myself to call it Dolphin stadium) will be to go as low as possible.  One point awarded per night - the winner will be the one who guesses closest (duh).
2. Players of the game.  Also pretty straightforward - and since this is a Marlins site, we'll be giving points only for Fish players (unless you are visiting from another team's site - Dex, I'm looking in your direction!).  You get to pick one player who you think will contribute most to the night's win, and if he has a good night you're set.  We'll award points for a maximum of three players per night, and no points awarded in blowout losses.
3.  Above and beyond picks.  This is where it gets fun!  Everyone gets to make one more pick where they can predict something else that will happen during the game.  Do you feel in your gut (or your fish's guts) that Hermida will hit another grand slam - and it will be in the fourth inning?  Make that pick.  If it happens - you look like a genius and get a point - maybe three as that would be a really good pick.  The more detailed and imaginative you get, the more points you get, but also the less likely it is to happen.  Have fun with it!  But not too much fun (Dex - I'm looking in your direction again).

That's about it.  Remember - this is for everyone and it is fun!  Don't feel shy - if you haven't done it before, now is the perfect time to start.  We'll have an open thread up later today for tonight's game and I expect to see some picks made, people!  If you are a lurker who hasn't signed up for the site - now's the time!

Did I mention we will have FABULOUS PRIZES for the winner??!?!?

Oh yeah.  Fabulous prizes.

Ichthyomancy.  It's where it's at, baby.

[Update] I forgot to mention - and this should be self-evident, but... picks need to be in before the game starts, with the exception of attendance, which can be changed/added after the game has started (up to an hour after game-time), to allow for everyone to change their minds about the guess after seeing the stadium. Sound fair?

I haven't been around in a bit... but I have to declare...

I am the smartest man alive!!!

Okay... sorry.  But I did win the Fs.com fantasy league, after being near the bottom the whole season.  And I know exactly how it happened -

I owned Anibal Sanchez AND had him active for the no-hitter.

That was all the good voo-doo I needed to make a push at the end and hold off fishfan and Dr F (and whoever else was doing it - I don't even rememeber).  

Anyway - this is just my obnoxious way of saying - Nyah-nyah-nyah!

Anyway... more importantly - congrats on the Ichthy win, Dr F.  That's MUCH cooler, as that actually took work and intelligence.  I do indeed have prizes in mind.  craig and I will talk - hopefully you'll like...

Here we go!  

Opener of a four-game series.  All of our starters will be under 25.  

Tonight's is Josh Johnson.  He'll be facing Kyle Davies in a battle of young'uns...

7:05 start time.  

I'm once again bitter that the only one of these games that is on TBS is Thursday's matchup - and I will have to miss most of that one (I hate work).  At least I can catch some of it, since it is an afternoon affair...

I'll let Craig take care of the table, etc., for Ichthyomancy, but don't let the fact that there isn't one here throw you off - make your picks now!

Here's today's Ichthyomancy pick table:

Best of Luck to Everyone!

There's plenty to talk about today, I guess.

The Fish finally won a three game series (against a team that is worse than they are).  

We have some big roster changes (as Maverick noted in his diary, and on his website...)  

We start a four-game series today with the Braves.  I'm already sick of them.  Do we really have to play them sixteen more times?  Bleh.  Well... hopefully they can split the series at least.  Maybe the young starters (now that Nolasco is due to take the hill on Wednesday) can make something happen.  I wonder how old Big Moe feels around these guys?

Anyway... Like I said - plenty to discuss.

I'm just too tired.  

I got nothing - which is less than usual, and you thought that wasn't possible, didn't you?

If you have any other topics to bring out - feel free to do that here.  I'm going back to sleep now.

I know one thing for sure.

The Marlins will NOT lose today.

Whew.

The Fish will get some rest today and try and regroup from the ass-whupping the Cards just put on them.  Maybe they can take out some frustration on Chipper and the boys from Atlanta.

I hope so.  

I'm bitter about this series because only one of the games is on TBS and I can't watch that one...

I am a bitter bear.  Nothing new there.

What's new?  Any Comments?  Consider this an open thread...

I had planned to write more of the back-story of Mike and Dan (and Stella Mae, of course) - and how they all got together with Shadez in the D.R. one summer on vacation...

But man - am I bummed out.

I know that losing to the Cards is not really a bad thing - they are a great team, and we all know we suck... but anytime you get your ass handed to you seemingly so easily - swept! - at home, by ANYONE... that's painful.  And for all of that to come after the little tease of the state stadium money....

Damn.

I needed some cheering up.  So what did I do?  If you've been reading any of this for a while your first guess would probably be scotch.  

I can't say that hasn't been involved...  

However - I actually have Marlins-related goodness here.  Granted, it ain't much - but it's something.

Look at this page.  It is the current NL hitting leaders, with addendums for our fish.  Notice that for every category (except home runs and hits) we have a representative in the top ten - and in the ones we miss - we miss just barely.  I know it is early and that our representatives consist entirely of Cabrera, Willingham and Ramirez, but hell - I'll take good news where I can get it.  By the way - Miguel comes up as third in the league in OBP.  Mmmmm...

If we could get Hermida back and hitting like he was supposed to, this team might actually be able to score some runs.

Of course - we won't talk about the pitching.  Good God...  Did you realize that Mitre is technically the Marlins' ERA leader at 4.89?  

Back to the scotch...

Anything?

I was just talking to a buddy of mine (not a Marlins fan - but he has the A-train on his fantasy team) and he asked me that question - except he wasn't as polite about it.

I know that I (and my friend) should cut Dontrelle some serious slack, as he should have won the Cy Young last year, and he is an amazing pitcher, is a joy to watch and has actually pitched fairly well at times this year... in fact his April over all was pretty good.

But this May has been pretty awful.  Two starts - 10.50 ERA.  

Am I over-reacting?  It's just two starts.  I don't know... his ERA has steadily risen with each start of the season, and with what I have seen he just hasn't seemed quite right.  Is the team getting to him, perhaps?  

The answer I gave my friend was this - so much of Dontrelle's game seems to come from his own inner energy, and the atmosphere of losing on the team MAY actually be getting to him.  That is obviously going to be true, to a certain extent, of every player - but I have never really seen anyone (especially a pitcher) who seems to - every game - bring so much energy to the field and really feed off of it.  

That HAS to be hard to maintain when you are losing constantly, and know there is not much of a chance to win even if you pitch well (witness the one win even when he pitched decently).

I hope this does not sound like I am saying anything bad about Dontrelle and I certainly do not wish to put him down in any way, shape or form.  I also hope that these last two starts are a mere aberration against two good offensive teams (the Phills and Cards can ruin any pitcher's day).  Hell - even in his phenomenal 2005, Willis had an off month (he just waited till July for that), and May has been typically an off month for him (lifetime 1.49 WHIP)...

Maybe I am just over-reacting.  I hope so.  I hope he makes me eat my damn words and makes me look like a big fat idiot (which isn't hard to do, because I am one).  But I have to say I am concerned.  I have never watched an athlete to whom fun, happiness and energy means more - which is what makes watching him SUCH a joy - and now he is in a situation where things probably won't be very positive for a little while.

I sincerely hope that he doesn't let that bother him over the course of the season.

Leave your comments and tell me I'm an idiot.

Please.

So I had a grand old time at the game last night.  

I decided to go by myself and splurge on a good ticket - better than I would normally get for my broke-ass self, anyway.  I wanted to make sure I got a good view of all the new guys and really got into the game experience, and it was great!  It was also kind of nice not having to worry about anyone else (I usually go in large groups of friends - which is cool, but a whole different thing).  

I didn't take a camera, since I don't own one... so you guys don't get any cool pictures to look at (sorry - I suck), but here are my impressions -

I sat right in front of four older gentlemen (all at least seventy, I would say) who had been baseball fans and amateur players since they were kids.  They talked knowledgably and appreciatively about the game, throughout.  They cracked my ass up - including one guy yelling at his friends - "When the hell did you start coming to games and NOT drinking beer!  What's a baseball game without beer!?!?!"  The coolest part was that these guys remembered all the old senators players and also knew all the Nats - although they had to ask me what Christian Guzman's name was.  Frankly, if I was a Nats fan, I'd try and forget him, too.

There were actually a decent number of Marlins fans at the game, too - especially in my section.  I didn't get to talk to any of them (we were too far away, and frankly I was enjoying my solitude, broken by the old guys), but we did get up and cheer at each other when good things happened for our team, annoying the crap out of the Nats faithful.  If any of them check the site - thanks for making me feel happy to be alive my friends!

For those of you who haven't been around here long, you might not now - I have never actually been to a Marlins home game.  I know, I suck...  but I recently decided that I have to figure out how to get down there later this summer and catch a couple of games.  Last night confirmed this, for I must say it is a nice feeling to have actual fans of your team around you when you go to a game...

My favorite moments of the night were in the ninth (of course).  When Uggla was up to bat to start it off with the score still tied... before he doubled he hit a ball foul that JUST MISSED going out.  And I mean he got EVERY INCH of that ball.  It was a screamer - and everyone in the park just froze.  All the Washington fans were completely scared that some kid named Uggla had just ruined their night.  About two seconds after it came down foul and while everything was still quiet some kid a couple rows behind me yelled out "Better not throw that SAME pitch again!!!"  

I just about peed myself - and the kid was serious!  AND it was good advice, because I'm pretty sure that was the pitch that Uggla lined to the wall for the double to start of the rally.  

Good times.

Then - they brought in Cordero.  They try and make it a production there at RFK when he comes in (a la Hoffman/Rivera, etc.), but I just can't take him THAT seriously.  However - there was definitely a feeling in the house that this game was over.  I mean - the Marlins had a five run lead and lost it - and this game looked destined for extra innings.  I don't know about you, but I'd take their pen over ours any day.  Not that their's is necessarily all that great, but...

This game was over.  No way the Marlins recover from that, right?  I was certain of it - the Nats fans were certain of it.  NO ONE thought that Hanley would do anything other than strikeout.  

Then he muscled out a bloop pinch hit - just enough to win the game.  

It was magic, I tell ya.

Of course - the game was meaningless.  Nats/Marlins - who cares, right?  I doubt it will even really turn around the fortunes of the team in any meaningful way... but it is nice to know that they can indeed recover for once from losing a big lead and come bck on a good reliever and win a damn ball game (by one run!) in the ninth.  It made me happy.  I'm sure they did it just for me.

Go Fish!

Bad news - the Phillies are supposed to be a good team.

Good news - they haven't been THAT much better than the Fish so far this year.

Bad news - They HAVE to get better.

Good news - they are sending Ryan Madson (AKA - South Street Moehler) to the mound tonight!  There are ichthyomancy points to be made, my friends!!!

Better news - we got Dontrelle going.  I smell a chance for victory!  

A chance!

7:05, people - get those picks in!

Here's today's Ichthyomancy pick table:

Best of Luck to Everyone!

So I was complaining to Craig the other day - "I don't know these guys!" - I bitched.  

That's me.  I can't stop with the bitching.

Now - I know we will get to know our beloved rookies and all their personalities/quirks as the season progresses. I know that as we watch these guys in action and watch the interviews, read quotes, etc., we will get at least a little feel for how they are as people (much as we had done for the old guard)... but I'm an impatient man.   I want to have that connection RIGHT NOW!

So I'm going to fake it.  

Starting today I am going to fabricate personalities and even backgrounds for some of our new guys, just so we can all have something to relate to.  

You can all come along with me on this - or not.  I'm going.  And you can't stop me.  

You ready?

We'll start with the right side of our infield, since both of them are new to both the team and the organization.  Plus they were born only seven months apart!  How cool is that?  They could have gone to high school together!  In fact - I'm going to say they did!

Daniel Cooley Uggla and Michael James Jacobs.

It says they were born in Kentucky and California, respectively, but PHOOEY, I says - Phooey.  That's what I says.  They were both born and raised in Muncie, Indiana.  They played ball together from little league, all the way through high school (everyone knows the School Song, I hope) -

Since Dan and Mike were the best of friends, they sang that song with glad hearts every day, and happily led their team to victory... until tragedy struck - in the form of a WOMAN!

Unfortunately, they both fell in love with the same Muncie girl (a sweetheart named Stella Mae) and then fell out of friendship with each other and (of course) stopped talking entirely.  The bitterness between them got so bad - the school team lost the state championship!  

It was horrible.  

They haven't spoken since.

So... if you ever see Uggla not quite make that throw to first, or Jacobs muff a throw over from Dan - NOW you know why.  It has nothing to do with talent, but... as always - cherchez la femme.  

Curses, Stella Mae - curses.

Now of course - does it matter if any of this actually happened?  Not really.  It's not like we really get to know these guys, anyway.  I like my story - I'm sticking with it.

Okay - I guess we should just stop speculating and wait until we actually see the man in the line-up - but still... there appears to be good news.

The main reason I am anxious is that the team seems to have had some trouble scoring runs recently... and he could possibly help.  

Maybe.

Let's say - we would welcome him back with open arms, no?

(I am changing my title from the King of the Inappropriate Non-sequitor to the King of the Understatement, by the way).

Also - I will be at that game, come hell or high water.  It would be nice to see Frosty Bill running around.

One last thing - please note the blurb in that article mentioning that they are basically admitting that Willingham will not be catching much at all anymore.  Oh well - so much for that!

Okay - the boys head out to Chicago today.  I won't invoke any ghosts of 2003.  Don't worry.

Hopefully the "Good Fish" show up today, especially as the game is on national television - ESPN, 7:05.  I'm happy just because I get to watch a game, finally!

Vargas v. Zambrano.  Pierre v. my heart.  It will be a long night, my friends.

I'll hopefully be around tonight to bug people - no more opera for me!

For some reason, I am not getting the Ichthyomancy table to work for me right now.  We'll get it up later - get your picks in now, though!

Here's today's Ichthyomancy pick table:

Best of Luck to Everyone!

In case you missed it -

Moehler's spot in the rotation will be skipped this time around due to the rain out.  Personally, I see this as a good thing.  Maybe he'll get it together for his next start.  He's looked kinda shaky so far...

(Did you like that?  13.14 ERA = "kinda shaky")

Also - apparently sometime during spring training the Fish management supposedly offered Dontrelle to the Mets for David Wright.  I'm not sure how I feel about that.  Mostly pissed.  But then - I've been pissed about a lot of things, recently.  How should I feel about that one?

Tell me, people!

Since we (and by "we, I mean "me") just talked about missing Beckett and Burnett, etc.  It got me thinking - how ARE the old guys doing?  

I mean - I AM actually pretty happy with the team we have now and excited for the future (although - what is this deal with the Willis/Wright trade talk rumor?  I mean, c'mon?  Don't get me started... not that David Wright isn't an amazing talent... sorry, sorry...)

Okay - anyway.  Back on topic.  How are the old boys doing that we were supposed to miss so much?  

I think I'll focus mainly on guys that left just in this last fire-sale and had been with the team for a while - preferrably contributing to the 2003 squad.  

Positional players -

Mike Lowell - has started to hit a bit again this year - he isn't what he used to be, but then he isn't what he was last year, either.  He's batting .277 for the Sox with one bomb and 8 RBI in 65 AB.  Obviously, I'd rather have Miggy at third.

Seabass - is stinking up the joint, at least with his bat.  .211 with no power (.263 slugging) and 4 RBI in 57 AB.  I'll take Hanley, thanks.  Although - I wouldn't mind having Alex's glove...

Luis Castillo - he's hitting very well and really helping the Twins.  His OBP is a sick .481, and he is even stealing some bags.  From what I hear, he's also playing some good D (as we had come to expect).  I'm sad.  Of course - he's also hurt... and Uggla's been popping them out of the park of late...

Juan Pierre - he isn't getting on base too much (.301 is not that great an OBP), but he is stealing some bags and scoring runs.  I imagine the Cubs are happy with him (as they can only compare him to Corey Patterson of late - they have to be!)  With our current center-field situation - I do miss him very much...

(Delgado's killing the ball (I miss him) - Lo Duca is hitting right about where you'd expect (I can live without him) and Encarnacion is stinking up the place in STL)

Pitchers -

Burnett - just went on his annual DL trip.  After just coming off the DL.  Oops.  I'm sure he'll be fine.

Beckett - is pitching like a god.  Jerk.  Somehow this actually doesn't make me miss him - it pisses me off.  I almost can't wait for that first blister to appear...  but I'm not bitter.

Overall - I'd have to say that this quick and dirty little excercise made me feel a lot better.  I realize that this is a very small sample size and all, but still...

The team we have will lose a lot of game, but, quite possibly, the team we had was not going anywhere, either.  Maybe the whole fire-sale thing wasn't such a bad thing.  

No, damnit.  I still want to be pissed.

What? A weekday evening game?

Weird.

Anyway - The Fish go on the road tonight beginning a nine-game road trip.

Big Moe prominates again - which scares me at the GAB, frankly. Hopefully he'll keep SOME balls in the park. He'll be up against Brandon Claussen, though - so he still has a decent chance to win!

7:10 game time.

I might be around tonight to bother people - but make sure you get you picks in. Colombo may be in the lead right now, but even if you haven't started playing yet, you can still catch up to THAT punk!

Heh.

We kid because we love.

Here's today's Ichthyomancy pick table - if you don't see your name, it's because you haven't played yet or because we haven't seen you in a while (Fishfan I'm looking at you):

(Going back to the beginning, here.  The man - Sam Cooke.)

So we've had a rough first two weeks.  

At least we still have more wins than hurt players!

Hmmm...

Maybe I should try a different angle...

At least we haven't been swept in a series that went the full three games yet!

That actually makes me feel a little better.

As has been observed here and elsewhere - the two main things that must be kept in mind with this team are -

1. They are very, very talented.
2. They are very, very inexperienced - and therefore will be VERY inconsistent with their play (game to game, inning to inning).

While I have only been able to catch one of their games on TV (MLB.tv doesn't count - bleh) - I have to say, I enjoyed the hell out of it.  Seeing Martinez's wicked stuff live was great (I will be very sorry if he has to go on the DL).  I wasn't sure how many of their games at RFK I was going to try and get to (cause it's a real pain to get down there) but now I think I need to get to as many as physically possible (which still might not be that many).  I also will try and get out to the series at Camden Yards (which is much nicer, anyway - and likely to be empty at that point).  

I want to see these guys play - and I want to watch them figure these things out.  Yes - it will suck mightily at times.  Hopefully as the season goes on they will get better.  Who knows?  Maybe they will actually win a series - or three games in a row - at some point.

A man can dream.

Till then - I'll keep the Sam Cooke on an infinite loop.  Is there nothing that man can't make better?

Yippee!

We have standings!  

(Check the side-bar)

And because of that I just noticed that Colombo is kicking ALL of our butts.

We can't have that people.

Remember - you can't win if you don't play.  AND you can't beat Colombo, if you don't make semi-decent picks.

Thanks!

Oh - and by the way - we haven't listed everyone who is playing, just those who currently have points.  Please don't feel shunned if you don't see your name - it'll get up there soon enough, I am sure!

Okay - so that first week didn't go as we might have liked.

So the Fish are 1-4.  It could be worse, I suppose.  They still aren't in last place!  

Oh - poor, Philly.  

And THEY actually have hopes for this season!

Anyway...

Today is an off-day for the guys to get back to South Florida, where they haven't been in ten days. And some (Wellemeyer) haven't been there at all yet this year!  They'll get settled, find apartments (for those who didn't know they were making the team), etc.  

The best bit of that article, though, is where they outline the rotation for the upcoming week -

Glad to see that they will indeed be bringing up Olsen this week to take that fifth spot in the rotation.  Hopefully he does well and sticks for a while.  

I am looking forward to this week (even though it will be CRAZY busy for me, personally) as I think the Marlins have a good chance to actually win some games.  Maybe not five or six (let's not go overboard) - but certainly more than the ONE they got last week.  

Hopefully that home cooking will do them good.  

Everybody rest up today - I assume the home opener tailgating starts at 9:00 tomorrow morning!

Just wish I could be there.

[editor's note, by wiggins] - Last one from Craig (that he can't post himself) - we hope

Tonight Jason Vargas will take the hill while the Mets will send forth Steve Trachsel.

The game is at Shea Stadium and first pitch is at 7:10 p.m.

For our reader in Alaska, please forgive me for what I am about to say:  At game time it is expected to be very cool with the highs in the upper fifties and a chance of rain showers.

It will be interesting to watch how Jason handles the conditions and whether he can get a good enough grip on the ball to make his slider break.  It could prove to be a difficult task but I have faith in him.

Trachsel pitched in six games last season before a herniated disk put an end to his season.  It will be also interesting to see whether he can keep his back warm.

Last I heard a deal was worked out so that the game will be seen in the South Florida area on cable TV.  I hope that remains true.

Ichtyomancy is up and running.  Be sure to get your picks in on time.

Go Fish!

[editor's note, by wiggins] - One more from Craig, obviously.

Today is a travel day.

Yes - Wiggins, I am finally heading to a place where I have the ability to post my own stuff.  Since I have an early a.m. flight I haven't had the time to check all the news for today.  But if need be, we will catch up tomorrow.

I'm leaving my hometown after a delightful time of seeing old friends and family.  While that is always nice, it is also somewhat depressing - the leaving that is.

Things at site should be returning to normal (whatever that means) in the next few days.  Though, I'm not completely sure that is a good thing but it is what the future holds.  When I get to my destination I will sort out every blurry picture I took and see if there is one worth presenting - however I don't have my hopes up.

Intercontinental, I am on my way.  I hope I don't miss my plane like I did last time.  But come to think about it, the girl in the airport bar was real cute...

[editor's note, by wiggins] - From Craig!

After reading the comments yesterday, this one is for Dr. F.

While I like the Whatevers better, the good citizens, or at least this guy, of San Antonio would like to rip-off the name of the University of New Mexico or possibly the name of East L.A. band and make it their own, should the franchise, please don't, move there.*

I will answer your question later tonight in the meantime I wanted to keep you up to date.

* I'm going to get myself in so much trouble with the citizens of San Antonio and the weird thing is: I like the city.  C'est la vie.

[editor's note, by wiggins] - One more from Craig.

No game today as the Fish travel to New York in order to play a three game series with the Mets starting Friday.

After watching the team for about 1 and 1/2 games, I was hoping for three games but that is beside the point:  I Like this Team.

I was big-time skeptical before the season started - thinking that we would be outmatched and it would be a comedy of errors.  I admit it - I was wrong.  Sure they make rookie mistakes and sometimes look a little foolish at the plate or in the field but I like them.

Television doesn't do them justice.  They play hard, toss their bodies all over the field and give up isn't something they understand.

Now, our team may not win a lot of games but it won't be for lack of trying.  These kids are fun to watch.  Do yourself a favor, and if you get a chance, get out and see them play live.  You will be very glad you did.

I know I was.  Trust me, they will win you over.

[editor's note, by wiggins] - More from Craig.

Last night I was asked by the guy sitting next to me:  why do they keep stopping play and throwing the ball out?  To which I replied:  in that case it was Ramirez's first triple in the majors.

It has been kinda interesting the last two days watching the game stop and the ball tossed towards the Marlins dugout.  It's a rarity at most games but at a Marlins game this season - it's an everyday event.

[editor's note, by wiggins] - From the desk of Craig.

Disclaimer:  As some of you know, I reside in Texas.  If the Marlins were to move to San Antonio, I probably wouldn't be able to see them on television and definitely not on MLB.TV or a cable "Extra Innings" broadcast since I am blocked from seeing any Texas team.

MLB allows teams to have an official regional monopoly for up to a 75 mile radius.  But in truth it larger than that.  I live in the Rangers area, though I live further than 75 miles away from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.  If the Astros and Rangers are playing at the same time, I get the Rangers on Fox Sports.  This wouldn't change with the Marlins moving to San Antonio.

I can't remember the last time I saw the Spurs on television, that wasn't a national broadcast or they were playing the Mavericks.

The Marlins moving to the Alamo City would be a complete screw job for me.  I feel I should reveal that.

Now with all that said:

It's true that Texas is the second populous state behind California.  But California has 35-plus million while Texas has about 22.5 million residents.  A closer comparison would be Texas to New York, which has 19-plus million.  New York only has two teams.  Granted a third could easily be supported if you include the Northern New Jersey corridor.  But that has more to do with population densities than total population.

MLB is expected to rule on San Antonio's viability soon.  The Marlins organization is concerned about the city's television market.  San Antonio is 37th while the Miami area is 17th.  The Marlins would lose about 800,000 TV-homes by making the move.  Local television is a large part of a team's revenue.

The question most often asked of me while attending games at Minute Maid was: what do I think about the team moving to San Antonio?

My answer was always the same: I love San Antonio and they seem to be very enthusiastic, however, I don't see moving to potentially the smallest market in the Major Leagues solving the financial problems that exist. But that doesn't mean they won't move there.

Tonight Big Moe is on the schedule to face Wandy Rodriguez.  

Game time is at 8:05 p.m.

April 5th - this is a very special day in Marlins history.  On this day in 1993, the Marlins won their very first game beating the Dodgers 6-3 at JRS.

Hopefully in tonight's game the boys will celebrate this milestone by winning the first series of the season.  It would be most fitting.

Be sure to make your picks for Ichthyomancy.  Much like the lottery, you can't win if you don't play.

Also - as pointed out in last night's comments - if you could do us the favor of making the "above and beyond" picks things we could verify in the box-score or recap, that would help us and make it more likely for you to get your points. Thanks!

Good Luck!

[editor's note, by wiggins] - More from Craig.  Hopefully we can get this issue resolved - but if not we'll be presenting things like this all week.  Try not to get confused, eh?

Penmanship Counts

When the Marlins script a lineup they literally script a lineup.

Cool.

I have read several newspaper articles where in it, they mention that some of the rookies had lineup cards hanging in their lockers.  I never understood the appeal of that being a collectible but now I do.

[editor's note, by wiggins] - this is actually from Craig, as would be obvious enough to anyone who would read it, I imagine.  Apparently he is now having trouble even writing to the site, so he is sending me texts to post for him.  Sorry, Craig!

Last night's seating location was in Minute Maid Park's famed Crawford Boxes.  It was definitely an adventure for a Marlins fan.

My Mom, you remember her, was feeling well enough that I could go to game with a clear conscience but not well enough to attend.  Before I left for the park she asked me to get her one of the commemorative National League Championship rings they were handing out to the first 30,000 people and I agreed.

What a joke.  Instead of giving out the rings at the gate they were giving them out in four appointed locations in the concourse.  So you had 30,000 people trying to queue up to get this thing.

What that meant was when the actual ring conferral took place the vast majority of the fans where waiting in line and not in their seats.  A poorly thought out plan.

When I finally completed my mission I went to my seat in the Crawford Boxes.  By this time, Cabrera and Willingham had already hit their back-to-back home runs.  Therefore I entered the section with the Marlins up 3 to 0.  Let's just say it was less than a warm reception judging by the glares.

The citizens of the Crawford Boxes seem to be a bit more on the rowdy side.  Definitely more taunting than the day before but funny and good natured.  I was told in no uncertain terms that there was no-way I was getting to keep a home run ball hit by a Marlin. (They do that Wrigley throw it back thing)  I asked if it was okay if I caught one hit by an Astro and threw it back.  I'm still waiting for them to get back to me on that.

When the score was about 8-0 the guy behind me said something on the order of: You're still here.  To which I replied: Hey, I can't help it if your pitcher is throwing batting practice.  He just laughed.

The guy who sat beside me was completely cool.

So if go to the Crawford Boxes dressed as a Marlins fan bring your sense of humor because they have brought theirs.

Aside:  Last night was not a good night to give out rings.  You already know what happened to the Astros.  The White Sox received their World Series rings last night as well and lost to Cleveland 8-2.  I wonder if they had to queue up in lines that encompassed the stadium also.

I was happy to see this note in this article -

As much as we may have some serious beef with the way the ownership has treated this team, its fans and just in general been pretty shady and less-than-wonderful...  Beinfest has seemingly done a great job in some pretty difficult circumstances over his time here, including putting together the 2003 team, don't forget.  While I am still not happy about the fire-sale, he seems to have done a very good job in getting great value for the guys he was forced to get rid of.  

I am happy to see them keep him around and hope he actually serves out the life of that contract here with the Marlins.  

Here's to Larry!

Okay, everyone.  Here it is.  The first game of the season and the beginning of our second year of ichthyomancy.  

Dontrelle Willis takes the hill against Roy Oswalt.  Should be a great matchup.  7:05 start - be there, people.  And be here to comment!  

But first - leave your ichthyomantic predictions here before the game!

Craig will probably be able to do cooler things with the open threads once he gets back home or gets reliable access in Houston (although I make no promises on his behalf - I don't want to get expectations TOO high around here).  I know we will probably not have ichthyomancy tables for the first week or so until we figure out who will be making picks with regularity.  

I am giddy.

Of course that may be a factor of the lack of sleep, more than anything else...

But no!  It's opening day, baby!  

And somehow I contrived to get the day off.  It will be a veritable orgy of baseball here at the casa de Wiggins.  And we are only a couple of hours away from the first pitch of the first game!

But most importantly - we are only eight hours away from the first pitch of the new-look Marlins season.  

Seriously - I am excited.  My body is doing things that I probably shouldn't describe in polite company... but let's put it this way - the headlights are on, people.  

I hope that everyone here, if they can't actually go to the game (like that lucky bastard Craig), can get to a TV, or at least watch it on MLB.tv (which will be my option, I think) or listen somehow.  It's finally time!

It's here!

It's opening day, people!  Get excited!!!