fishywishy Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 IN MY OPINION Marlins' desire outweighs the wins DAN LE BATARD [email protected] They didn't lose or quit or get vanquished as much as they ran out of calendar. These broken, winded, bloodied Marlins will keep playing doubleheaders without rest until April if you give them even a microscopic sliver of hope. But that appears to be all but gone today, after Monday produced only one victory instead of two against the Cubs, and the remaining schedule seems to do what not even a short-circuited pitching staff, natural disasters (plural) and Barry Bonds could. It buries the Marlins alive. Oh, they still will kick and scream and claw down there until their very last breath because that's who they are. But there is too much weight above them and not enough oxygen left to overcome it. NEVER GIVE UP They essentially have to win all 13 of their remaining games, and even that offers no guarantees. The Giants, Cubs, Astros and Padres would all have to play .500 baseball or worse while the Marlins are going undefeated in order for Florida to climb this mountain. And Florida doesn't have any games remaining against any of them, so they don't have much control over any of the last two weeks, relying on bottom-feeders like the Reds and Rockies. The Marlins might lead the league in don't-ever-count-them-out, but they are woozy and on their knees now, groping at their mouthpiece through the concussed haze like Mike Tyson against Buster Douglas. But they tried. This is both the lament of the loser and the highest compliment you can pay a team of fighters. There are no moral victories this late in September, so Monday's doubleheader split against a better Cubs team can't be that, but the Marlins did again Monday what they have been doing for two full seasons now. They took us along for the ride. Made baseball matter down here late in the season. First, they lost the game they were supposed to win with their best pitcher on the mound. Then, despite being dispirited, they won the one they weren't supposed to with a middle reliever who was unemployed a couple of weeks ago and had not made a start in more than half a decade. Makes perfect sense, if you have been watching this season. The fact the Marlins still are playing meaningful games this late is more of a tribute than losing one of them Monday is an indictment. During the next three days, the last ones at home this season, South Florida should do what the crowd did for David Weathers upon his exit Monday -- stand up and applaud. Because the Marlins defended their championship throne with pride and zeal and everything else they had. ''Left everything on the field,'' said outfielder Juan Pierre, who always does. From the top of the organization to the bottom of the bullpen, from the beginning of the lineup to the end of the bench, from the front of the rotation to the front office, the Marlins did everything they could. And then they gave you a little bit more. And some more after that. And more and more and more. STILL BATTLING There was Armando Benitez, the best reliever in the sport this season, shutting down another triumph despite a screaming elbow. And weary Mike Lowell, who wanted to play here so much that he turned down possible millions elsewhere for a contract tied to a stadium that may or may not be built. And catcher Paul Lo Duca, so sick he wouldn't be playing if the team didn't need him so badly, brought here in the trade that showed that management, too, did all it could to defend that throne. ''It's going to be very, very hard to win this thing,'' first baseman Jeff Conine said after yet another cortisone shot. This is what a fighting fish does. It keeps floundering on the deck, wheezing and hooked, spitting out what little life it has left even as the anglers stand over it with smiles and cameras and weapons too big to overcome. Time ticks away on the Marlins now. But they will stop fighting only on the day that the schedule says they must. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotcorner Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 ain't going down without a fight.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnylons Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Better than Berardino's pezzo di merda... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snilram Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 Thanks for posting that FW. I cried though. Especially about this part: "This is what a fighting fish does." "It keeps floundering on the deck, wheezing and hooked, spitting out what little life it has left even as the anglers stand over it with smiles and cameras and weapons too big to overcome." :crying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitanX Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 We seriously have to be the most spoiled fans since the beginning of the 2002 season when the FO started to make moves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuickGold Posted September 21, 2004 Share Posted September 21, 2004 We seriously have to be the most spoiled fans since the beginning of the 2002 season when the FO started to make moves 567242[/snapback] That's not spoiled. Thats the way it should be. If you're not competitive (read: spend money), then what's the point? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bman8316 Posted September 22, 2004 Share Posted September 22, 2004 Great article, you have to love the fighting attitude of this team. I do have to agree that we are a little spoiled, if we would have had a season like this last year we would have been thrilled but being the defending champs we had higher expectations this year. But through all of this I'm not giving up and will continue to BELIEVE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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