Seeing Penny, Choi: Hugs and greetings were exchanged Wednesday morning when Florida players and coaches saw former Marlins Brad Penny and Hee Seop Choi.

 

Penny is sporting longer whiskers on his chin this season, prompting Marlins manager Jack McKeon to say the right-handed pitcher may be mistaken for one of the animals in the Amazon. A year ago, Penny went on a fishing and hunting trip there.

 

"That's Brad Penny, he can do what he wants," said Burnett, his close friend.

 

Like Penny, Burnett has chin hairs, but only much shorter. Asked if he plans on growing his whiskers longer, Burnett said: "No, I'm good."

 

Choi was popular in his half season with the Marlins. McKeon feels Choi will develop into a quality first baseman if he is allowed to develop at the position.

 

"He's a kid who hadn't played much," McKeon said. "We wish we could have had him a little longer. He was so popular with the guys, you had a tear in your eye when you told him he was traded."

 

Home cooking: Lo Duca, reliever Guillermo Mota and right fielder Juan Encarnacion each received warm welcomes from the Dodgers fans Wednesday.

 

The three were traded to the Marlins last July for Brad Penny, Hee-Seop Choi and minor league pitcher Bill Murphy.

 

"It's fun to see guys I've grown to have great friendships with," said Lo Duca, who received a warm ovation his first at-bat.

 

Lo Duca spent Tuesday night in Vero Beach, seeing some of his former teammates. Before Wednesday's game, he mingled with his old friends and chatted briefly with Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax.

 

Mota threw a scoreless inning of relief, striking out one and walking one. Before the game, the closer signed a number of autographs for the fans.

 

"They still love me here," Mota said. "They were good to me. When the people support you like that, you have to take care of them."

I still miss Brad. :confused He's such a sweetheart and treated fans with much respect. I wish him the best in his career and I hope to see him soon again someday.

Yeah, Brad always seemed like a great guy. I am rooting for him to make a full recovery and have another great season.

 

Hee Seop Choi is the man. He is a very likeable person. I wish him the best as well, and I hope he finally gets full playing time so that he can continue to develop.

I only met Choi once and he seemed very down to earth.

I miss Penny. We need to get him back next offseason if we lose AJ. :notworthy