Marlins Maniacs

Chances are, if you're reading this, you watch as many Marlins games as you can and are very familiar with their history and situation. Assuming this, I will focus my language in future posts to those who are familiar with not only the game of baseball but the Marlins team as well. If anyone is reading this who is not familiar with either, questions or comments are very welcome! But first, let me tell you who I am, my relationship with the Marlins and a brief history of the team.

I grew up in Fort Lauderdale as, ::gasp::, a Braves fan. For the first eight years of my life, all I did was eat, sleep and breathe Atlanta Braves baseball. That is, until a 45 year old knuckleballer threw out the first pitch in Marlins' history against the Dodgers on April 5, 1993. From that point on, the Marlins have been a very large part of my life.

The early days weren't easy though. My family has been season ticket holders since day one, so I got to see many of those early year struggles as the Marlins fought to find an identity. However, through it all, I bled nothing but teal. After getting through what I affectionately call the "Chuck Carr Years," then-owner Wayne Huizenga decided to invest money into building a winner and the Marlins won the 1997 World Series. This was, however, before he became a pariah by gutting the team the following year.

The years in between 1997 and 2003 were rough to say the least. The Marlins were the doormat of the NL East and rarely put together a solid stretch of wins. However, the young core that was created amid the 1998 disaster began to mold together and develop. Finally in 2003, the Marlins won their second World Series. But, alas, history would repeat itself and the core of the team was gutted once again. In recent years, young players have begun to grow up together and compete for the NL East crown.

This is where we stand now, and the future cannot be any brighter. The Marlins are ready to mature and make some noise in the division. A new manager and young talent is on the verge of becoming something great. A new, state-of-the-art stadium is currently being constructed to house this Marlins revival. And best of all, I will be with you to enjoy it together!