02/02/2004 4:06 PM ET

Marlins' trophy making the rounds

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

 

JUPITER, Fla. -- On Oct. 25, the Marlins hoisted the World Series trophy after upsetting the Yankees in six thrilling games.

Over the next few days, Marlins fans are getting their moment of glory with the trophy.

 

Marlins president David Samson jokingly says the trophy is being attached to the weeklong caravan "like an appendage."

 

Hundreds of people on hand as part of the caravan tour Monday at Roger Dean Stadium were able to see the trophy at an autograph session.

 

"In addition to meeting the players, part of the caravan is touching the trophy," Samson said. "It's great for the people to witness the fruits of being World Series champions. This is a great highlight."

 

Displayed on a table near the front gate of the stadium, fans held and took pictures of the trophy.

 

"I think it's thrilling," said season ticket holder Chris Beaton, 47, of Lake Worth, Fla. "Some fans go their whole lifetime never winning a World Series."

 

Beaton and his wife, Sally, lined up for autographs and took pictures of the championship trophy. For the Beatons, it is their second experience winning it all.

 

Charter season ticket holders since the inaugural 1993 season, they were along for the ride when the 1997 Marlins captured the title.

 

Sally Beaton pointed out the 1997 team left Spring Training as a favorite to reach the playoffs. Virtually no one gave the Marlins much of a chance to make the postseason last season.

 

"In 1997, I knew we were going to go all the way," she said. "This was unexpected."

 

The caravan runs through Friday, making stops in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Saturday will be FanFest at Pro Player Stadium, which marks the first chance to purchase individual game tickets.

 

The trophy will be making stops somewhere every day this week, and it will be at FanFest.

 

"It's pretty much going everywhere," Samson said. "We want to take it to as many places as possible and show as many people as possible before it takes its permanent spot in our lobby. We want everybody to get out here and check it out."

 

Manager of the Year Jack McKeon, who was hired on May 11 of last year, will guide the Marlins through Spring Training for the first time. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report in Jupiter on Feb. 21.

 

The Marlins return a core of players from last season, including World Series MVP Josh Beckett, Rookie of the Year Dontrelle Willis and All-Stars Luis Castillo and Mike Lowell.

 

"We keep building the excitement," Samson said. "There are more people here this year than there were last year and there will be more people here next year. It's good."

 

2004 Caravan

 

(Note: Times, destinations and Marlins personnel tentatively scheduled to be at the events are subject to change.)

 

Tuesday, Feb. 3

 

10-11 a.m. Palmetto General Hospital at 2001 West 68th St., Hialeah.

11:30-12:30 p.m. Publix at 600 N. University Dr. Attending: Mordecai, Phelps, Taylor.

1-2 p.m. Pasadena Lakes Elementary at 8801 Pasadena Blvd., Pembroke Pines.

4-5 p.m. Office Depot at 11340 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. Attending: McKeon, Michael Tejera, Nate Bump, A.J. Burnett.

4-7 p.m. WQAM at Dave & Buster's at 3000 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood.

5-6 p.m. Autograph session at Dave & Buster's. Attending: McKeon, Tejera, Bump, Burnett.

 

Wednesday, Feb. 4

2-3 p.m. Florida Medical Center at 5000 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital at 1000 Joe DiMaggio Dr., Hollywood (33021).

5:30-7 p.m. Weston Youth Clinic at 20200 Saddle Club Dr., Weston 33327. Attending: McKeon, Banks, Tejera, Taylor.

7:30-8:30 p.m.: Hollywood Greyhound Track at 831 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach. Attending: Carl Pavano, Phelps, Spooneybarger, Neal, Bump.

9-10 p.m. Round-Up 99.9 KISS Country, 9020 W. State Rd. 84, Davie. Attending: Pavano, Phelps, Spooneybarger, Neal, Bump.

 

Thursday, Feb. 5

11-12 p.m. Bank United, Machado Ford, 1200 West 49th Street, Hialeah. Attending: Pierre, Willis, Mike Redmond, Mike Lowell.

1-2 p.m. Holmes Elementary, 1175 NW 67th Street, Miami.

3-4 p.m. Bank United, Kendall Branch, 12905 North Kendall Dr., Miami. Attending: Pierre, Willis, Redmond, Lowell.

3:30-5:30 p.m. Key Largo Community Park, 500 St. Croix. Attending: Pavano, Phelps, Bump, Mike Neu.

7:30-8:30 p.m. Miccosukee Resort, 500 SW 177 Ave., Miami. Attending: Pavano, Phelps, Bump, Neu.

7:30-9:30 p.m. Cafi Tu Tu Tango, Coco Walk, 3015 Grand Ave., Coconut Grove. Attending: Penny, Alex Gonzalez, Banks, Spooneybarger, Sciambi.

9:30-10:30 p.m. Autograph session at Coco Walk. Attending: Penny, Gonzalez, Banks, Spooneybarger.

 

Friday, Feb. 6

9-10 a.m. Springview Elementary, 1122 Bluebird Ave., Miami Springs.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Marlins en Miami Store, 3701 SW 8th Street, Coral Gables. Attending: Redmond, Gonzalez, Spooneybarger, Neal, Taylor.

11-12 p.m. Coral Gables Hospital, 3100 Douglas Road, Coral Gables (33134).

12-2 p.m. El Credito Cigar Company, 1100 SW 8th Street, Little Havana.

2-3 p.m. Bank United, Aventura Branch, 21155 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura (33180). Attending: Banks, Phelps, Bump, Rosenthal.

3:30-4:30 p.m. Publix, 1585 West 49th Street, Hialeah. Attending: Banks, Phelps, Bump, Rosenthal.

5:30-7:30 p.m. Frozen Ropes Clinic, 4390 SW 73rd Ave., Miami.

7-8 p.m. Aventura Mall, 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura. Attending autograph session: Redmond, Pavano, Penny, Gonzalez, Neu.

8-9 p.m. AMC 24 Theater, Aventura Mall. Attending: Redmond, Pavano, Penny, Gonzalez, Neu.

 

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

and don't forget to add the trophy and team will make an apperance in Albuquerque, NM on April 4th.

 

what? That only applies to me? oh ok..