Omar Infante 2012: He Gave Ozzie #13

[Swifty]

Throughout the course of the 2012 season, please use this thread to discuss all issues, including but not limited to, news articles, injuries, performance, rumors, and statistical analysis related to the named player.

[Swifty]

MIAMI -- Omar Infante's second-inning home run on Sunday made Marlins history.

The second baseman hit the first Marlins home run at Marlins Park. The solo shot set off the 75-foot home run sculpture beyond the left-field fence for the first time, and it gave Miami a 1-0 lead over Houston.

"From the moment I hit the ball, I knew it was going to go out," Infante said. "I'm very happy to hit our first home run here."

Infante, who has a team-high four home runs on the season, sent a 1-0 fastball from Astros starter J.A. Happ into the Clevelander seats beyond the left-field fence. That is where 32-year-old Doug Grey from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., became the lucky fan to catch the historic homer.

Fans roared when Infante's ball cleared the fence, and the 34,232 people in attendance were able to witness the home run sculpture in action for the first time. Many Marlins also looked to see what the sculpture would do, but one missed the jumping marlins and flashing lights.

"[Emilio] Bonifacio asked me if I saw the marlins and the water, but I told him I didn't, I was just focused on running," Infante said.

The Marlins had a friendly wager in the clubhouse where players tried to guess who would be the first to homer at their new ballpark. Giancarlo Stanton, Hanley Ramirez, Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez were all popular choices, but it was Infante who came away the winner.

"Nobody picked me," Infante said. "I told Bonifacio, 'I won the bet, because I hit the home run.'"

Infante has been the Marlins' hottest hitter so far this season. Along with hitting the first home run by a Marlin at Marlins Park, he hit the first home run of the season by a Miami hitter. That blast came on April 7 in Cincinnati against Reds starter Mat Latos.

Infante's home run came in the 31st inning played at Marlins Park. Ramirez joined Infante when he crushed a game-tying, two-run shot to center field in the eighth inning.

"I like the idea that it went off today quickly," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said. "The first one was a solo home run, and then Hanley hit the two-run homer. It could have gone off a third time. That would have made me happy too, but I'll take it twice a night."

Prior to Sunday's game, several Marlins had hit balls that looked like they had a chance to clear the fence, but none had been able to successfully homer at their new ballpark.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez became the first player to homer at Marlins Park when he hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning of Friday's 5-4 Marlins victory.

David Villavicencio is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/news/ar...251965246-1063

[MiamiHomer]

joe capozzi @joecapMARLINS

#Marlins 2b Omar infante said he will not play today or Thursday because of tight right hamstring. Hopes to return Friday in DC

...

[Jorge18]

There goes our offense.

[Fritz]

Giancarlo gon have to do his best Omar impersonation.

[TheMendozaLine]

Infante gets rid of #13 and ends up having the most productive start to the year of any player on the team.

Ozzie receives #13 and ends up embroiled in a controversy so heated that it almost costs him his job.

[MiamiHomer]

joe capozzi @joecapMARLINS

Omar infante said he probably won't play until Tuesday in new York. Groin feels better but still not 100 pct #Marlins

...

[MiamiHomer]

Manny Navarro @Manny_Navarro

#Marlins 2B Omar Infante being held out today and Sunday because of a hamstring. Ozzie Guillen a bit concerned

Just all seems to pile up when things aren't going well.

[Mainge]

Sell.

[MiamiHomer]

NFANTE, AS IN INFERNO



Who does Omar Infante think he is, Dan Uggla?

Maybe not, but the Marlins’ second baseman, after entering the season with a .711 career OPS, is 14th in the NL with a .920 mark. Uggla, whom the Braves acquired for Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn in Nov. 2010, is 29th at .805.

Infante, 30, is indeed reaching another level, Marlins hitting coach Eduardo Perez says.

“He knows who he is,” Perez says. “He’s taller in his stance. He’s not swinging at balls outside of the zone as much as he used to. And he’s also laying off pitches in the lower part of the zone.”

“It comes with maturity. He’s more disciplined. It’s not like he’s stronger. He’s just putting the fat part of the bat on the ball.”

The Marlins are hitting better as a team, averaging 4.9 runs over their past 10 games. Yes, their new park is pitcher-friendly. Yes, the sample sizes are still small. But for the season, the Marlins are averaging 4.3 runs in 15 games at home and 3.3 runs in 20 games on the road.

Shortstop Jose Reyes is reviving by returning to an up-the-middle approach, and first baseman Gaby Sanchez and third baseman Hanley Ramirez are due for better luck – they own the NL’s seventh and eight lowest batting averages on balls in play, respectively.

Perez says the Marlins are starting to understand that the way to succeed at their new park is by hitting more line drives than home runs – which, of course, is a better approach to begin with.

“If we’re able to do that, we’ll be OK,” Perez says.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/M...eatment-051512