Florida Marlins News

MIAMI (AP) _ Short on pitching all season, the Marlins are now looking for a pitching coach. The organization sought to retain Rick Kranitz for next season, but he wanted to explore other options, general manager Larry Beinfest said Monday. Kranitz won't be with the team for its final six games. Bullpen coach Steve Foster will be pitching coach for the final week. The rest of manager Fredi Gonzalez's staff will return next season, Beinfest said. Florida is last ...

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) _ New Florida Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez knew long ago Dontrelle Willis would likely be his first opening day starter. And throughout spring training, it was assumed that the plan hadn't changed. So when Gonzalez finally announced the decision on Monday, only one guy seemed taken aback. ``Of course I'm surprised,'' Willis said. ``I'm excited. I wanted it, but that doesn't mean I'll have it next year. ...

Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins and Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander have won their league's respective rookie of the year awards. Ramirez beat out Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman by only four points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America to win the NL award. Three of the top four NL finishers were Marlins. Second baseman Dan Uggla came in third, getting the other six first-place ...

Joe Girardi, considered a leading candidate for the Chicago Cubs' managing job, interviewed for the position on Monday. The Florida Marlins fired Girardi last week. Girardi guided them to a 78-84 record and kept them in contention for a playoff spot until late September despite having the majors' youngest team and lowest payroll. The Cubs chose not to bring back manager Dusty Baker when his contract expired after going 66-96. ...

Now that he has come home to manage the Florida Marlins, Fredi Gonzalez expects to give the team's woeful attendance a boost. ``Ticket sales will go up by at least two _ my mom and dad,'' he said. Born in Cuba, Gonzalez grew up in Miami. He began his managerial career with the Miami Miracle of the Florida State League in 1990, became the first manager in the Marlins' organization ...

Once the runner-up to Joe Girardi for the job of managing the Florida Marlins, Fredi Gonzalez became his successor Tuesday. The Marlins fired Girardi, and five hours later announced that he'll be replaced by Gonzalez, third-base coach for the Atlanta Braves the past four years. Girardi's departure after only one season had been expected after his rift with owner Jeffrey Loria boiled over in an on-field confrontation two months ago. ...

Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi was fired Tuesday, a move that had been expected after his rift with owner Jeffrey Loria boiled over in an on-field confrontation two months ago. Girardi lost his job even though he's considered a strong candidate for NL manager of the year. The Marlins had baseball's youngest team and lowest payroll at US$15 million, but Girardi led them to a 78-84 record, and they were ...

Three hours before the Florida Marlins' final game, the only activity on the field involved manager Joe Girardi and his four-year-old son, Dante, who tried out catcher's gear, took a few swings at the plate and shagged flies in the outfield. ``This year he has learned to catch popups over his head,'' dad said proudly. Everyone agrees the Marlins' manager works well with young players. General manager Larry Beinfest conceded ...

Dontrelle Willis' season ended Sunday with an animated conversation on the mound. He lobbied Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi to stay in the game but lost the debate, leaving in the second inning against Philadelphia because of a sore left triceps. X-rays were negative, and Girardi and Willis said the injury wasn't serious. But afterward, Willis acknowledged that leaving the game was the right move. ``Skip didn't want to risk ...

The Florida Marlins kept manager Joe Girardi around for at least a couple of extra innings Sunday. Jason Wood's bases-loaded, one-out grounder was booted for an error by shortstop Danny Sandoval in the 11th inning, allowing the winning run to score in a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. With balmy weather, a festive crowd and plentiful lineup changes, the game was reminiscent of spring training. And it was likely ...

Florida Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis left Sunday's season-ending game against Philadelphia in the second inning after the team trainer twice visited the mound. Willis threw only 19 pitches before departing after 1 1-3 innings. There was no immediate report on the nature of any injury. Manager Joe Girardi accompanied the trainer to the mound both times and pulled Willis after he gave up a single. Willis also walked and hit ...

The Philadelphia Phillies did what they could Saturday, and it wasn't enough. The Phillies averted elimination from the NL wild-card race for an hour by beating the Florida Marlins 4-3. But subsequent victories by the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres quashed Philadelphia's hopes of reaching the post-season for the first time since 1993. The results left Philadelphia trailing the Dodgers and Padres by two games with one to ...

The Philadelphia Phillies averted elimination from the NL wild-card race _ for a few hours, at least. The Phillies overcame an early deficit and nursed a one-run lead through the final seven innings to beat the Florida Marlins 4-3 Saturday. Tom Gordon pitched around a one-out double in the ninth, retiring Dan Uggla on a fly ball that Shane Victorino caught in deep centre field for the final out. Philadelphia ...