One of the main reasons for the Florida Marlins recent ass-kicking ways has been the out-of-his-gourd play of 28-year-old second baseman Dan Uggla. He finished May atop the NL homerun leader board alongside stalwarts such as Lance Berkman and Ryan Howard. Yet for all of his bad-assery, Uggla has remained humble.
Im just trying to stay aggressive, he says. Thats all I can tell you. But dont confuse his diffident postgame disposition with weakness, for Uggla also says, Once I see the ball ... Im not swinging for a single. Im trying to hit that thing as hard as I can. That he is. Hes the first Marlin in franchise history to belt 12 homeruns in a single month. His batting average for May was .435, with 15 HR and more than 20 RBI. And his family crest is a picture of a bear eating Chuck Norris. Witness the awesome that is Dan Uggla Monday night as he and the Fish face the Cincinnati Reds at Dolphin Stadium. First pitch flies at 7:10. Order bullpen box tickets online at www.florida.marlins.mlb.com.
Mon., June 9, 7:10 p.m., 2008