Tuesday, July 01

(Left to right): Field coordinator Aaron Leanhardt, manager Clayton McCullough, bench coach Carson Vitale and 3B/OF coach Blake Lalli

MIAMI – “It’s a good day to have a good day.” 

Though a common mantra, it’s one that represents the 2025 Marlins.  

Miami has defied external expectations by going 11-13 into Thursday’s off-day. But in the midst of a season-high five-game skid last week, a shipment of T-shirts bearing that slogan fittingly arrived at loanDepot park. 

“Yesterday is what it was, and now today is a good day to have a good day,” manager Clayton McCullough said at the time. 

So who was behind the new merchandise? 

That would be bench coach Carson Vitale, who placed an order of 20-something T-shirts with Rake Baseball Company for the entire staff. He had been wearing the same shirt – just in Mariners colors – for the last five years in the Pacific Northwest.  

“They're very much like the JUCO grinder, good vibes, the epitome of what I view baseball: Play hard, run hard, love each other, support each other,” Vitale said. “That brand very much embodies that.” 

Entering the season with one of the Majors’ youngest coaching staffs and rosters, the Marlins knew the odds would be stacked against them. That doesn’t matter to the organization, which views 2025 as a chance for everyone -- coaches and players alike -- to grow with experience and surprise the baseball world.  

A self-described hippie, Vitale believes an uplifting mindset like the one depicted on the T-shirt can lead to positive results. But how can that type of vibe work in the high-stakes world of professional sports? 

“I think it fits well, right?” Vitale said. “There's so much negativity around this game, there's so much failure, that finding ways to love each other and celebrate positive things I think is just crucial to development and winning and all the things we're trying to do here, in the immediate, and then also over a long period of time.  

“I always choose to look at the positive. There's always room for truth. There's always time for that. But when it's crafted with love, I think it lands a whole lot better.” 

Max Meyer stopped by MLB Tonight to discuss his 14-strikeout game against the Reds and more.

The Marlins celebrated Earth Day this year through several initiatives. 

Marlins employees have been collecting new and gently used shoes and clothing in partnership with Miami Rescue Mission, Got Sneakers and Soles4Souls; books in partnership with the Miami Book Fair and Books for You Miami; and electronic waste in partnership with MobileMe. Not only do these drives provide support to the local community, but they also divert useful items from landfills. 

A dedicated box will also be available for employees to drop off worn-out gear, making sure these items are recycled rather than thrown away.  

These collections are on top of the Marlins prioritizing green operations at loanDepot park. Native plant species were selected for the grounds to reduce water consumption, and nearly one million square feet of stadium lighting is being converted to LEDs, helping lower energy costs by over 20 percent.  

Inside the ballpark, low-emitting paints and finishes support healthier air quality. After events, all waste is sorted on-site to maximize recycling and reuse. Aluminum and cardboard are baled, kitchen oil is collected for donation and leftover food is either composted or shared with local organizations like Fertile Earth and Food Rescue South Florida.  

• Sandy Alcantara feels he's starting to rediscover "Sandy Mode" after Wednesday's quality start.  

• Marlins No. 4 prospect Agustín Ramírez received the news of his callup from his 2-year-old daughter, then set a club record on Tuesday.  

• Javier Sanoja’s first Major League homer was a memorable one in Sunday’s victory.  

• Griffin Conine is on the 60-day injured list with a dislocated left shoulder. 

Injuries to outfielders Conine and Derek Hill over the weekend opened up an opportunity for utility player Ronny Simon’s first Major League callup.  

It was long-awaited news for Simon after spending seven seasons in the Minor Leagues with four organizations (Cubs, D-backs, Rays and Marlins) and a career slash line of .266/.341/.446 in 558 games. He also was named Toros del Este’s MVP during the 2023-24 Dominican Republic Winter League. 

“I’m crying out there because I know the process, what I did for a long time,” Simon said on Sunday in Philadelphia. “When I started, I signed when I was 18 years old. And now the process is going to be the dreams coming true. It’s just amazing.” 

Simon, who turned 25 last Thursday, made a strong impression during big league camp as a non-roster invitee by recording a .370 on-base percentage in 12 Grapefruit League games. He kept it up during his time at Triple-A Jacksonville, batting .354/.441/.521 with four extra-base hits and four steals in 15 contests. 

McCullough plugged Simon in left field for Wednesday’s series finale after he served as the designated hitter in his MLB debut. Like utility player Sanoja, Simon can play all over: He has appeared at second, third, short, left and right in his MiLB career. 

“Having another person on the roster that has the ability to bounce around positions, whether it's starting a game or entering a game, or how things factor during a game, the ability to maneuver around and give you more flexibility with options is a great thing,” McCullough said. 

“Offensively, Ronny had a good camp. Switch-hitter, can hit a fastball. He put together really good at-bats. He can run some, so Ronny stood out with how he performed. I think he was doing that as well in Triple-A. A lot of confidence in Ronny to come up here and do a lot of the same that he's been doing thus far.” 

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