clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Larry Beinfest is hating errors

Actually, no one likes errors, not the management, the players or the fans, but they happen.

In yesterday's Spring Opener the Marlins made 4 errors, much to the ire of Beinfest.

Improving defensively is a major objective for the Marlins this season. A year ago, the team finished third in the Major Leagues in errors committed. The goal is to improve, but right from the first batter, an error was made when first baseman Gaby Sanchez dropped Anibal Sanchez's throw, allowing Skip Schumaker to reach safely. The error led to an unearned run.

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez, second baseman Dan Uggla and catcher Brett Hayes each committed errors.

"It's unacceptable," Beinfest said. "I don't care if it's the first day or the last day. It's unacceptable. We need to play better defense, right from the start. Set the tone.

Of course, everyone who follows the Fish would like to see improvement in the defensive part of the game, but is early.  I mean after all the Yankees, with their billion dollar payroll, made 4 errors too, in their first spring game.

In fact, there were 23 errors committed in 13 games yesterday.

I have no problem with them staying on the players case about fielding -- Lord knows Perry Hill did that each and every spring.  It is the spring, after all, and this is where you work on improvement and whatever motivates the players to improve, is fine by me.

However, just to refresh your memory:

In 2003 during the first game of the season, not the spring, the actual season, the Marlins made 3 errors.  The errors were made by Mikey Lowell, Luis Castillo and Alex Gonzalez.  And they were a part of the best infield defense the Marlins have ever had and maybe will ever have.  In fact, Lee, Castillo, Gonzalez and Lowell were the best infield defense I have ever seen.

I guess the point of this is it happens and I wouldn't read too much into it at this time in the season.  Let's see how they progress.