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During last October's playoffs, Josh Beckett was sprawled in a lounge chair in the middle of the Marlins clubhouse following one of his virtuoso performances. With his face a mixture of scorn and astonishment, he ragged on one of MLB's top studs for having overreacted to a tight pitch.

"That pitch wasn't even that close. He's too comfortable up there anyway," Beckett had said. "What the heck was that all about? He made a fool of himself."

 

If Florida's postseason foes looked foolish, they of course got a lot of help from the Fish, whose swim to the World Series punctuated the type of season that would be cast as legendary in the Northeast.

 

In the Sunshine State, it was cast as an accident. Not only couldn't some of MLB's most senior citizens -- the Giants, the Cubs, the Yankees -- believe that the Marlins actually beat them, the entire baseball planet now is in denial.

 

More teams Devil Rays Orioles Blue Jays Red Sox Yankees Tigers Indians White Sox Royals Twins A's Mariners Angels Rangers Braves Phillies Expos Mets Marlins Pirates: coming 3/20 Brewers: coming 3/21 Reds: coming 3/22 Cardinals: coming 3/23 Astros: coming 3/24 Cubs: coming 3/25 Dodgers: coming 3/26 Rockies: coming 3/27 Padres: coming 3/28 D-backs: coming 3/29 Giants: coming 3/30

 

Or have you not noticed that any conversation about the National League East generally excludes the Marlins? Philadelphia is the philet mignon, Atlanta is the T-bone, even the Mets are flank steak.

 

Meanwhile, Jack McKeon's chopped liver will be the one defending a title. The Marlins talk about lacking respect, which must be a first for a reigning World Series champ.

 

"Maybe," muses Jeff Conine, noting that everyone keeps looking through the Marlins, "we needed to beat Babe Ruth and the '27 Yankees."

 

In truth, it isn't respect the Marlins lack. It's credibility. People remember what happened after they won their first title -- under identical circumstances and with virtually the same record -- in 1997. And the cynics need to be shown that this postscript will be different.

 

Florida truly is an amazing franchise. In its 11-year existence (this is where you pop the Maalox, Cubs and Red Sox fans), it has won two World Series titles. In the other nine seasons, the Marlins have played .441 ball.

 

"We want to do what the Yankees and Oakland A's have been doing every year," says center fielder Juan Pierre, knowing that with consistency comes honor.

 

The Marlins may not repeat. In this competitive age, no one can be expected to repeat. But they are equipped to repeat, and will contend. Doesn't sound too much like 1998, does it?

 

The prelude to the season already is different. Whereas six years ago the fans bailed on the team soon after its best players did, fans this time are closing in on 8,000 season tickets -- merely a 4,000 percent increase in the two years since Jeffrey Loria purchased the team.

 

We know this is citrus country, but they aren't buying a lemon.

 

Florida turned over one-third of its lineup, cutting ties with Ivan Rodriguez, Derrek Lee and Juan Encarnacion. In today's game of mobility, this makes the Marlins unique? The Braves turned over 44 percent of their lineup, the Giants also replaced three starters, the A's three and their league's best closer. That's the playing field.

 

Pudge appeared to be the "signature" loss, interpreted as sign of another retraction. But the Marlins simply wanted to create space behind the plate for Ramon Castro, a former No. 1 draft pick whom they feel is ready to bust out.

 

Encarnacion? Sure, he didn't get full credit for what he meant to the offense. But, sorry, the Marlins needed some place to play Miguel Cabrera, who could be the second coming of Albert Pujols.

 

Lee's bat, glove and quiet leadership will be missed most. Yet, Hee Seop Choi is an exciting protege. The Marlins may have guessed wrong on him. But if not, they have a 25-year-old power-hitter who could be MLB's next international star.

 

Not everything GM Admin Beinfest has done sides with logic. Turning away both of his co-closers -- Braden Looper and midseason addition Ugueth Urbina combined for 34 saves in 42 opportunities -- in favor of Mets dropout Armando Benitez certainly is interesting.

 

But the positives outweigh the curious. This is a scrappy team of firebrands -- the Orange Grove Gang? -- that makes good use of outs. McKean is old, and there's nothing fake about him -- his team plays old school. And the Marlins have a swagger, a bravado that makes them believe last season was just a beginning, not another dead end.

 

They could be right, of course. Just peruse the pitching staff.

 

Dontrelle Willis, on such a fast track last season that he got derailed the last two months, now will have a better grip. A.J. Burnett could be this season's Willis, this midseason injection if his repaired elbow cooperates. Shrug off Darren Oliver if you wish, but he won 13 last season -- with half his games in Coors Field.

 

And Beckett? Has a bigger fuss ever been made over a pitcher with a 17-17 lifetime record, who has yet to exceed 142 innings in a season? Of course not.

 

It isn't what Beckett has done -- but, his confidence boosted by a heroic October, what he might yet do. As a whole, the Marlins just want the same shake.

That's the best Article i've read this spring! It conveys the way we feel about this team very well!!

Nice read...I like the Orange Grove Gang part

great stuff :thumbup http://smilies.jeeptalk.org

Who wrote the article?

 

Comparing Burnett to Willis is right-on. I have felt that this team will compete for the NL East title, but I am not totally convinced we can win it. It really depends on whether or not our bullpen will be able to close out games. That is the only question mark. Have to give the nod to the Phillies though - they have a complete team but I dont think they have the chemistry or the starting pitching that we do. The Braves have one of the best OFs in my opinion, but their bullpen, after Smoltz, is weak and their starters are not nearly as strong as in years past. I think the Mets have improved, but too many questions about their starters' health and their offense. Expos are going to be tough.

I read it this morning and I agree 100%: 2004 is not 1998 and this is not the same Defending World Champion that was torn apart.

 

 

This year they have to go out and prove that it wasn't a fluke and this time....its personal :mad :