Lowell sets the story straight

`I always had faith in my team'

By GEORGE RICHARDS

grichards@herald.com

 

The day after Florida beat division-rival Atlanta 20-1, a story appeared in a Los Angeles newspaper concerning third baseman Mike Lowell and his reported disappointment over being taken off the trading block by the Marlins.

 

Lowell, who had been linked to trade talks with the Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs, was taken off the market as the Marlins pledged to make a run at a wild-card berth.

 

On July 2, The Los Angeles Times reported that Lowell ''seemed almost sad he wasn't winging west'' and was ``resigned to a full year in Pro Player Purgatory.''

 

The Marlins, 43-42 at the time, have since gone 21-12 while the Dodgers went 16-20. Florida on Monday dropped a half-game behind Philadelphia for the top spot in the wild-card standings; the Dodgers are three games back.

 

''I always had faith in my team,'' said Lowell, who claims he never saw the story. ``Obviously, those are not my quotes but the words of the writer. Whoever wrote it would probably write something different right now.

 

``It's good to change things. It's nice to throw things back in people's faces.''

 

Lowell, a Florida International University graduate who visited with Golden Panthers coach Danny Price before Monday's game, said he is thrilled to be part of a winning team in South Florida.

 

So much for the Times' piece.

 

''The National League home run leader,'' the story read, ``was hoping to get traded to a legitimate playoff contender.''

 

First baseman Derrek Lee said the Marlins did the right thing by keeping Lowell.

 

''Now you can see why we didn't want to trade him,'' Lee said. ``He is our MVP. He's carrying us this year, and the front office made a great decision to keep him here and make a run for it. They made the right move, obviously.''

 

OLSEN ON THE MEND

 

Reliever Kevin Olsen, on the disabled list since being struck by a line drive at Boston on June 27, participated in long toss Monday and plans to throw off the mound today.

 

Olsen, who sustained a concussion and a laceration on his right ear, said he's feeling better.

 

''We haven't set a date for my return, but I just want to keep progressing forward and get close to game-ready,'' he said. ``I definitely want to be back, but I need to be 100 percent.''

 

LEE HITS OFF TEE

 

Lee, out of the lineup for the fifth straight game Monday, took 25 swings off a tee and said he feels ``a lot better -- really good today.''

 

Lee hurt his right shoulder July 28 against Arizona, then aggravated the injury at St. Louis. He hopes to return by Wednesday.

 

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i was going to post that article myself. all i can say is that the people of LA are full of themselves. just because its hollywood doesnt mean everyone wants to go there (unless i can stay over at Halle Berry's house, hear shes having marital problems).