Hanley Ramirez is Getting a Reality Check: The Florida Marlins Hired Jack McKeon

I'd like to open with this: I have no idea, absolutely no clue, how a team with as much talent as the Florida Marlins manages to be only one game down in the very competitive NL East and then flat out flop the entire month of June. Honestly, as an objective journalist, I don't know what to say. I think that the firing of Fredi Gonzalez was probably a step in the right direction for the club, but then to hire 80 year old Jack McKeon, it raised my eyebrows.

The Marlins have one of the youngest teams in MLB, and they bring in the oldest possible candidate to coach the team. I know that as an owner, all you want is for your team to succeed. But after one bad month, albeit a terrible one, I don't know if it is time to break out what Beard and Stache like to call, 'The Extreme.' Bringing in the single oldest coach to take on a team that is so young they could pass as college kids is just radical.

Not only did the Marlins get the attention of other MLB teams, but maybe they were trying to draw some attention from their hometown. After all, the Marlins boast the worst attendance of any team, and are getting desperate to sell some seats. In the big picture, this was not a move to sell seats, but could have worked out well as an alternative agenda, or an added bonus. As an owner, when your hometown is selling around 16,000 seats a game, you take anything you can get.

On the actual field, this is a much different situation. The Marlins brought in an 80 year old coach that is going to stay true to his 'old-school' fundamentals, and go head on against a cocky and young team. Keep in mind this team is led by a man named Hanley Ramirez, who as talented as he is, has a totally nasty attitude. He is the type of player who knows he is good, and has that swagger that allows him to act like a rebel.

You know what McKeon did about that?

He benched Ramirez.

It wasn't because Ramirez mouthed off, or had a bad attitude this time around, it was because he was not running hard enough to first base. There are people in and around MLB organizations that have a lot of respect for McKeon as a person, and as a coach. However, some of the words tossed around when discussing his style: 'Doesn't give a crap,' 'Bull-Headed,' 'Bring it on.'

Those are things that won't mix well with Ramirez, who is the teams best player and clear leader.
If I was Ramirez, I would have felt like I was run over by a train. There had been rumors following Gonzalez being fired that Ramirez had been a key cog in the eventual firing, although all reports of course were denied by the Marlins. Now that Ramirez and McKeon have already had one altercation, it seems that the tables have turned. As just one week ago, Ramirez held all the power on that team, and now it has been stripped by some old dude?

This should not come as a surprise to anyone really. This happens whenever a diva, or an athlete with an inflated ego get's a reality check. Ramirez will stomp around, be unhappy, claim he didn't do anything wrong, and then things will simmer down. It may not be the most fun for a star shortstop, but it is -- what it is.

Also, Hanley -- Trust me, McKeon will keep you on the bench all season if he has too.

Be sure to follow Beard and Stache on Twitter @BeardAndStache, and also Troy @TroyBallards, Like our Facebook page HERE!