It's been a heady summer for the Florida Marlins. People are attending their games; the local papers are running loving, wistful features comparing them with the 1997 World Champions; and first-year pitcher Dontrelle Willis is being talked up as a potential Rookie of the Year. Last weekend they even tied the Philadelphia Phillies for the wild-card position in the National League playoff race, despite their heartbreaking loss to the hapless Milwaukee Brewers. But in addition to the Phillies, who spent plenty on free-agent talent this offseason, the Marlins are up against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who now have a healthy Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who grabbed two veteran hitters at the trade deadline; all this doesn't bode well for the team's all-important September drive.
So what does their upcoming series with the San Diego Padres have to do with all this? Not much. Sure, manager Jack McKeon was once the Padres' general manager and field manager, earning the nickname "Trader Jack." But in contrast to the surging Marlins, the Padres sit at the bottom of the league standings; ergo, these games should be a must-win.
Perhaps, then, this is a time to turn our thoughts to the simple pleasures of baseball -- the long, discursive conversations engendered by its leisurely pace, the seventh-inning stretch, and the never-ending appeal of teamwork at play. The game begins at 7:35 p.m. at Pro Player Stadium, 2269 NW 199th St. Tickets range from $3 to $60. Call 305-623-6100. -- By Mosi Reeves
Saturday August 16
Seabird Soiree
Watery benefit for Audubon
You're on a boat in the Florida Keys. You ogle a magnificent pair of brown boobies and now a beautiful band-rumped storm petrel. That's not an exotic dancer, just one of the many birds frolicking in their watery oasis. Larry Manfredi's Pelagic Birding Tour is an enjoyable way to collect seabird sightings. A lifelong bird aficionado, Manfredi is experienced in finding and attracting beaked buddies. His boat will cruise to choice locations where you'll not only see the main attractions but spot some of the amazing Florida Bay fauna. The boat departs from Key Largo's Mandalay Marina (mile marker 97.5) at 8:00 a.m. Cost is $125. Reservations required. Call 305-258-9607. -- By Margaret Griffis
