August 3, 200323 yr Loria: South Fla. can hit big time Team owner: `I love this market' BY MIKE PHILLIPS mphillips@herald.com Can big-league baseball make it in South Florida? Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has seen enough lately to convince him that it not only can make it, but make it big. ''Without a doubt, I think this could potentially be one of the top-five or 10 markets in the country,'' said Loria as he sat in the dugout before Saturday's 5-2 victory against the Astros. ``It will take time and a lot of work, but we have the people who can do it. ''I love this market. It's unique. I'm from New York and we have a mix there, and you have a mix here,'' he said. ``I like the whole mix. I like the flavor of South Florida.'' The Marlins' surge in the standings hasn't gone unnoticed. Attendance is starting to increase and is up more than 45 percent over last year. The Marlins drew a crowd of 37,735 Wednesday when Dontrelle Willis faced Arizona's Randy Johnson, and the Marlins drew more than 80,000 for a three-game series against the Cubs last month. Loria said if the Marlins are still in the playoff race in September, he will not be surprised to see crowds of 20,000 a night. ''I would expect 20,000,'' he said. ``It's a heck of a product -- finally. The fans have been waiting for something like this.'' Local newspapers aren't running the Marlins' game stories far back in the sports sections, and local sports radio shows are talking about the Marlins. Loria said he has seen the difference winning can make and has heard the buzz surrounding his team. ''The buzz is getting to be a loud noise,'' Loria said. ``I'm seeing it everywhere. When I'm downtown, I see Marlins shirts and hats. People approach me all the time about the team, and everything is completely upbeat.'' BURNETT UPDATE The Marlins have been winning without A.J. Burnett, who would have been the opening-day starter. Burnett, who had Tommy John Surgery in April, is eager to throw a baseball again, especially because he knows he is less than a month away. Burnett is scheduled to see Dr. James Andrews on Sept. 1 and expects to start throwing after that visit. He won't pitch this season but will start a slow program back next month. ''It's fun to see this team do what it's doing,'' said Burnett. ``These are my friends. It's fun to root for them.'' Burnett is the one who gave Willis his nickname, ``D-Train.'' ''I came up with it after he got a win one day,'' Burnett said. 'I just said, `The D-Train just keeps going.' And that got to be his name. You think I would get something for that. I should have the patent on it.'' FOR THE RECORD The Marlins improved to 44-28 under manager Jack McKeon, who took over in May. The 1997 Marlins, who won the World Series, went 43-29 in their first 72 games under Jim Leyland.
August 3, 200323 yr lol. AJ came up with D-train. cool. Thats the third different origin I hear for the D-Train nickname.
August 3, 200323 yr Author Thats the third different origin I hear for the D-Train nickname. I originally heard his grand-ma gave him the name when he was a kid...
August 3, 200323 yr I originally heard his grand-ma gave him the name when he was a kid... I read that too, I think in the Mag not sure.
August 3, 200323 yr Thats the third different origin I hear for the D-Train nickname. I think it was AJ who came up with it.
August 3, 200323 yr I originally heard his grand-ma gave him the name when he was a kid... Yeah, that's what I heard, too.
August 3, 200323 yr Author I read that too, I think in the Mag not sure. I know I read it in an article, just do know for what paper. But it was a WHILE ago...
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