The beginning of the 2010 baseball season was filled with so much promise for Florida Marlins fans. They had legitimate up-and-coming stars such as Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson. They had reigning NL Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan. The ownership even boldly predicted a playoff berth for the Fish. Then, of course, the season began.
Early on, Ramirez ran afoul of then-manager Fredi Gonzalez when he accidentally kicked the ball into the outfield and lazily retrieved it as runners scored. Then the Marlins abruptly fired Gonzalez with the promise of hiring Bobby Valentine, only to have that possibility publicly implode before our very eyes. And now, Coghlan is out for the season after tearing a knee ligament during a postgame shaving-cream celebration. Adding to all of that shame, Josh Johnson has been stellar all year, but he cant even get a win thanks to the atrocious Marlins bullpen.
The good news, though, is the Marlins arent the worst team in the league. Sure, there will be no playoffs. Sure, our club is a laughingstock. But, hey, we should be thankful the Fish arent the Houston Astros, who visit Sun Life Stadium this weekend for a three-game series.
Fri., Aug. 20, 7:10 p.m., 2010