Not to remind you too much of last night, but if Miami is going to win a major sports championship in the calendar year of 2014, our only hope remains -- gulp -- the Marlins.
Oddly, a recent scientific survey by political polling firm Public Policy Polling reveals that a full 19 percent of Floridians think the Marlins will somehow win the World Series this year. Perhaps the last thing those people read about the Marlins was that old The Onion classic "This Apparently That Year Marlins Win World Series Again."
Another 19 percent in the poll think the Marlins will win the NL pennant but not the World Series, while 27 percent think the Marlins will make the playoffs but not win the pennant.
All in all, that's a full 65 percent of Floridians who think the Marlins will at least make it somewhere into the playoffs. Only 12 percent think the Marlins won't make the playoffs, and 23 percent say they're "not sure."
Which, uh, seriously, what? This is the Marlins we're talking about. Sure, they're tied for second in the NL East. Sure, their playoff history has made us think anything is possible. (It's the only team in MLB history that has never lost a postseason series. Which seems impressive until you realize the Marlins have made the postseason only two times in their entire existence, and both times they won it all.)
Perhaps people just thought, Why the hell is a political polling firm asking me about baseball anyway? Oh, sure, yeah, whatever, the Marlins will totally win the series. Whatever.
To put it in context, only 12 percent think the Tampa Bay Rays will win the World Series, and 28 percent think that team won't make the postseason at all.
The poll also asked Floridians about other sports questions.
Here's the scientific breakdown of which college football team is Florida's favorite:
Central Florida ................................................ 11%
Florida............................................................. 22%
Florida Atlantic ................................................ 5%
Florida International ........................................ 2%
Florida State ................................................... 19%
Miami .............................................................. 10%
South Florida .................................................. 4%
Not sure .......................................................... 27%
Sort of sad that somehow UCF has overtaken Miami in popularity, but not surprising given the results of the team's last seasons (and overall number of alumni).
Meanwhile, here's the breakdown of Florida's favorite baseball teams. A Florida team didn't even make the top spots:
Braves ............................................................ 17%
Red Sox .......................................................... 8%
Cubs ............................................................... 5%
Marlins ............................................................ 14%
Mets ................................................................ 2%
Yankees .......................................................... 11%
Phillies ............................................................ 2%
Rays ............................................................... 10%
Someone else / Not a baseball fan ................. 32%
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
