Marlins giving away season tickets if you can homer

By: Andy Slater

If you have home-run power, you'll also have free Miami Marlins season tickets for 2017.

While MLB's Home Run Derby is happening in San Diego, the Marlins are holding their own "Swing For Your Seats" contest at Marlins Park. 

The Marlins say anyone who places a $250 deposit on a season ticket plan will be able to participate in the event on July 11. 

Those who aren't lucky enough to set off the home-run sculpture will still be able to enjoy complimentary food and beverages while watching the MLB All-Star festivities on the Marlins' big screen.

For more information on the event, contact the Marlins at 305-480-2521 or via email at seasontickets@marlins.com.

Marlins Park will host the All-Star game in 2017.

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Exclusive details: O.J. Simpson's best friend, part of Vegas robbery, talks

By: Andy Slater

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One of O.J. Simpson's best friends was part of the 2007 armed robbery inside a Las Vegas hotel room. Now, nine years later, he's talking about it.

Charlie Ehrlich provided exclusive details on the night he was in the Vegas hotel room with Simpson. He described what led up to the armed robbery and what happened the hours and days after it.

Ehrlich also said he asked Simpson if he committed the murders in 1994.

The exclusively detailed, four-part interview can be heard below. It originally aired June 16-17 on my weekday radio show on 940-AM WINZ and iHeartRadio.

Part One: Ehrlich describes his friendship with Simpson, what happens when he's out with him, and how he asked him about the murders (9:09)

Part Two: Ehrlich talks about meeting Simpson in Vegas, the plans to go to the hotel room, and how the plans quickly changed. (10:44)

Part Three: Ehrlich discusses everything that happened in the Vegas hotel room after the door opened, also details the hours after the armed robbery (14:01)

Part Four: Ehrlich discusses how the police eventually got involved, how the arrests happened, the trial, and future contact with Simpson. (15:48)

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(Photo: Charlie Ehrlich/KVVU)

Duke Johnson wishes he was at UM playing for Mark Richt

By: Andy Slater

The University of Miami's all-time leading rusher, Duke Johnson, wishes he was still playing for the Hurricanes now that Mark Richt is their head football coach. 

"I definitely wish I could have been in college...just to play with the guys that are still there, but also get a new outlook on football from a different coach just to see where he's taking these guys," Johnson said when asked Thursday on my weekday radio show on 940-AM WINZ and iHeartRadio.

Johnson also discussed the way he sees Johnny Manziel, his belief on why Miami fired Al Golden, his rooting interest in the NBA Finals, and his inaugural 7-on-7 football challenge in South Florida.

You can hear the entire interview here.

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(Photo: Miami Herald)

Walton's trial postponed, state says they're not ready

By: Andy Slater

Wednesday morning in a Miami-Dade courtroom, the State Attorney's Office said they need more time to investigate their case against Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Walton.  

"Despite the fact of everything that's been publicized by the City of Miami Police in the news, they're still not ready," Walton's attorney Joey McCall said.

McCall told Judge Fred Seraphin that the state produced a list of 15 key witnesses and wondered what they could still be investigating. Seraphin said he didn't know, doesn't have to ask, and then granted the state's request for more time.

"Anytime that someone is accused of something that they didn't do, justice should see that the process is expeditious and not one that drags on and lingers, "McCall said after the hearing. "Hopefully the state will investigate further what we already know, that these charges are invalid, that there's nothing there, and they drop the charges against [Walton]." 

The trial had been scheduled to begin June 20. 

The Canes running back was arrested on April 23 and charged with DUI and knowingly driving with a suspended license.

The University of Miami suspended Walton indefinitely immediately after his arrest. As I reported, though, Walton was recently reinstated. The school has yet to release any updated statement regarding his status.

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(Photo: Palm Beach Post)

Bonds vs. Fernandez being discussed

By: Andy Slater

Jose Fernandez wants a chance to strikeout MLB's all-time home run leader, his batting coach, Barry Bonds. 

Bonds, 51, thinks he can take the Marlins' 23-year-old ace deep. 

We may soon find out the result. 

Fernandez joined me Friday on my radio show on 940 WINZ and iHeartRadio and told me the exhibition could happen.

"We're waiting a little bit I think on that one," Fernandez said. "Something probably that we'll talk about."

Fernandez said if it happened, they'd most likely sell tickets for charity.

Full interview: Jose Fernandez on The Andy Slater Show

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(Photo: AP)