Posted March 27, 200519 yr comment_459504 This is a great article: VIERA - They were young and wide-eyed, hardly weighed down by expectations or the pressure to produce right away. The home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium in 1999 and even 2000 should have been as carefree as a kindergarten class. But that wasn't necessarily the case. "My first year (1999) Kevin Orie and I were battling for third, Alex Gonzalez kind of had the job at shortstop but you weren't sure he was going to pan out," Florida Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell said. "Craig Counsell and Luis Castillo were battling for second and Derrek Lee and Kevin Millar were battling for first. It was loose because you were with your friends, but it was intense because you were battling for your life." Lowell survived those battles, not to mention one with testicular cancer. He now is one of the leaders in a veteran clubhouse where expectations are as high as they've ever been for a franchise that already has won two World Championships. Last week, Lowell returned to the stadium where he spent several springs as a promising prospect, but hardly a finished product. As he reflected from the visiting dugout at Space Coast Stadium, even Lowell had to marvel at how much things had changed. For him and the Marlins, who trained in Brevard County from their inception in 1993 until 2002 before leaving for Jupiter. Lowell has developed into a premier if a bit under-the-radar third baseman. He has made the All-Star team the past three years and is the only player in franchise history to drive in 100 runs in a season more than once. What the 31-year-old lacks in flash, he makes up for in substance. He is a rock in the middle of the lineup and at third base, and is a good influence in the clubhouse. During the Marlins' postseason run two years ago, it was Lowell who graciously accepted a backup role for part of the playoffs since he was coming off an injury and rookie Miguel Cabrera was playing so well at third base. Lowell ultimately reclaimed his starting job when Cabrera moved to right field and helped the Marlins win the World Series. Just don't ask Lowell if his accomplishments and tenure make the Marlins "his" team. "I don't buy that for a second," Lowell said. "We could be great, but if I'm hitting .210, they're going to find someone else to do my job. When everything's clicking I think that's the beauty of the team coming together and jelling and that's what happened in 2003." The Marlins hope to conjure up the same mixture of magic and mojo that carried them to an unlikely World Championship two years ago. The ingredients certainly are there. Florida has a player that has made at least one All-Star team at just about all of the everyday positions. It has speed, it has power and it has balance in the middle of the lineup, thanks to the addition of first baseman Carlos Delgado. The starting pitching also compares favorably to Atlanta's staff and could even eclipse that group if Josh Beckett finally stays healthy for an entire season. "Paper is a beautiful thing," Lowell said smiling, "but we've got to do it on the field. I think we have all the right pieces to make a serious run at the playoffs. I'd be very surprised if we're not right in it." In spite of such expectations, Lowell said spring training has actually been more relaxed than those years when the Marlins had been ticketed for last place even before the first tickets to Grapefruit League games had been sold. "In 2000, there were probably 20 roster sports open," Lowell said. "Here, we come into spring training and there's maybe three spots open. This is more conducive to really getting ready for the season, rooting for guys, being a little more loose and that comes with experience, having established players." No one on the Marlins is more established than Lowell and it would he hard to find someone who has meant more to the organization. Lowell, who is Cuban, has provided a link between the Marlins and the large Latin community in South Florida. He also has provided hope for a franchise whose future in South Florida has been precarious since former owner Wayne Huizenga's infamous salary dump following the 1997 World Series. He did the latter last November by signing a revised contract that keeps him with Florida through the 2007 season even though the team couldn't guarantee him it would get a new stadium. Could Lowell, dare we say, now be the face of the Marlins? "You never know what the road brings," Lowell said. "I thought I could drive in runs and be productive. I was just trying to keep getting better and I can't say I'm too upset with how my career has turned out." http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...326/1061/sports Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459505 Nice article. I believe Lowell will be a great leader. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459505 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459506 Lowell isn't the best offensive player or defensive player. However he is a proven leader. He could also potentially be the next Ripken/Larkin, a player who played his entire career for the team in the area he grew up in. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459506 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459507 Nice Sunday morning read! Lowell has really come around this year and you have to love his attitude. I hope he remains a Fish for his entire career....yet you never know. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459507 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459508 Great article. He is the guy that most people look towards on this team and it couldn't have happend to a nicer guy. Hope he stays with the Fish for a LONG time. :thumbup Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459508 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459509 In about 10-15 years: Mike Lowell - 500 HR's I wouldn't mind seeing that wouldn't you guys? Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459509 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459510 In about 10-15 years: Mike Lowell - 500 HR's I wouldn't mind seeing that wouldn't you guys? 721717[/snapback] I think shooting for 300 would be a better idea. :mischief Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459510 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459511 In about 10-15 years: Mike Lowell - 500 HR's I wouldn't mind seeing that wouldn't you guys? 721717[/snapback] I think shooting for 300 would be a better idea. :mischief 721728[/snapback] I think shooting for 3-4 world series victories would be a better idea. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459511 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459512 In about 10-15 years: Mike Lowell - 500 HR's I wouldn't mind seeing that wouldn't you guys? 721717[/snapback] I think shooting for 300 would be a better idea. :mischief 721728[/snapback] I think shooting for 3-4 world series victories would be a better idea. 721729[/snapback] Why not 10 World Series victories? :mischief Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459512 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459513 Lowell is great. He may not be the best defensive/offensive player, but he has what it takes to be a great leader. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459513 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr comment_459514 In about 10-15 years: Mike Lowell - 500 HR's I wouldn't mind seeing that wouldn't you guys? 721717[/snapback] I think shooting for 300 would be a better idea. :mischief 721728[/snapback] Hey, if we put Lowell infront of Delgado he could hit 40 homeruns. Miguel can too. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459514 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 27, 200519 yr Author comment_459515 In about 10-15 years: Mike Lowell - 500 HR's I wouldn't mind seeing that wouldn't you guys? 721717[/snapback] Lowell would be 45 years old in 15 years... there's no way he's getting to 500 homers unless he averages ~36 HR's over the next 10 years. Link to comment https://www.marlinsbaseball.com/topic/26500-battle-tested-lowell-is-now-a-proven-leader/?&do=findComment&comment=459515 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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