Florida’s unbelievable start is difficult to comprehend, but the numbers back up the fact that Marlins have been a damn good team 35 games in

SCOTT JACOBS

There’s been some fun stories lately coming out of the sporting ranks, but none is as bizarre, confusing, and downright compelling as Florida’s rise to the top of the National League East. In case you’re anti-family and don’t know what baseball is, you’re probably aware of Florida’s unbelievably low 21 million dollar payroll. Teams don’t win with that little support from their owner. But would you look at that. No, not the shooting star, I’m talking about the baby Marlins jumping out to the greatest start in team history!

With 21 wins to their name in just 35 games, the Marlins, the Marlins!, are not only leading the NL East, but they’re amongst the best in all of BASEBALL. Let me repeat that. The Marlins have one of the best records in baseball.

It’s stunning, and absolutely devastating news to teams like Pittsburgh who have lost and lost and lost some more over the span of a decade, all while trying to develop young cheap talent. The Marlins, who pay to lose, are winning. A lot.

Florida’s 7-3 win over Washington on Friday not only extended the Marlins win streak to five but it pushed their road record to six games above .500. Generally young teams have success at home, but to be this good on the road? All kinds of crazy.

Florida’s opening day starter Mark Hendrickson is 5-1. Question: did you know who he was before this season started? I didn’t. The Marlins have scored 20 runs in their last three games, and have won five out of their last six, but what’s most impressive is the way they’re pitching. The Marlins have allowed the opposition to put more then four runs on the board just once in their last 10 games! The Pads, Brewers and Nats scored a combined 12 runs on the Fish in Florida’s last six game. Anyone a math major? That’s 2 runs a game. Absolutely amazing from a team that was getting torched earlier in the year.

So, here’s the deal. The Marlins have 21 wins faster then any season in team history. They’re playing with house money. No one expected anything from this team. Washington National fans have to be sick to their stomach, watching their team in their new ballpark, fall to the team who’s owner doesn’t care. Tigers fans have to be a little nauseas. They wrangled away Florida’s last two cogs from their World Series championship team in 2003, and they’re in last place in the AL Central. Their payroll, well, let’s not get into specifics. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings here.

What’s even more amazing, is that the Marlins have been successful without two quality players of late: Josh Willingham and Mike Jacobs. Jacobs believe it or not has nine home runs. But that’s okay, because this team is loaded with fresh faced youngsters, and classy veterans (mainly Luis Gonzalez) who have been there to pick up the slack.

With the Marlins up 3-1 late in the game, Luis Gonzalez delivered with a clutch double with the bases loaded to break open a tight game. How good have the Marlins been lately? Well, I haven’t even mentioned Hanley Ramirez, and he’s the superstar on the team.

Scott Olsen is 4-1, Kevin Gregg, their closer has had so little work recently that Florida put him in a non-save situation against the Nats just to give him some work! Even Jorge Cantu, the former Devil Rays great, is contributing.

Its even more startling when you take a look at some of the players who have been on Florida’s lineup card this season. We’re not just talking about players who played a couple games either. Take a look with games played in parentheses.

C: Mike Rabelo (17), Matt Treanor (15), Paul Hoover (2)
1B: Wes Helms (22)
3B: Jorge Cantu (32)
CF: Alfredo Amezaga (28), Cody Ross (14)

Did we mention that the Marlins have sent out Burk Badenhop and Rick VandenHurk to start games?

So there’s that too.

Anyway you look at it, the Marlins are, well, they’re leaving the baseball world speechless.

It’s a stunning turnaround for a team expected to get trampled in the National League East.

In contrast the Marlins were 71-91 last year.

They look a heck of a lot closer to their 91-71 2003 record this year.

That team won the World Series.

This team is already defying the odds. But if they ever sustained this, and gulp, made the playoffs… would that be the most unbelievable cinderella story in pro sports history? Afterall, the team that tries not to win, some how refuses to lose, and with nothing to lose, this year’s Florida Marlins are quickly becoming one hell of a story.

It’s early, just five weeks in to a long season. But the Marlins have the chance to make a mockery of New York’s crazy payroll, and the Mets’ ludicrous spending. Could you imagine if the Marlins win the division and the Yanks don’t make the playoffs? It’s a crazy thought, but the hottest team in the National League, and this season’s greatest surprise, is no longer a cute story.

The 2008 Marlins, built with the idea of winning years away, just might be legit.

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