There is no joy in Mudville!

Before a paltry crowd gathered at Dolphins Stadium, the Florida Marlins did what they seemingly do best these days; they won. They took on an Astros team that showed very little signs of life other than the spurts that came off of the bat of Hunter Pence.

The size of the crowd apparently did not matter to a young team who has become accustomed to see a sea of orange around a baseball field that doesn’t quite seem to fit in the cavernous walls of a football stadium. But is a new stadium the answer? Will some new bells and whistles be enough to attract fans that could otherwise care less about the festivities associated with the national pastime?

While those answers remain to be seen, one thing is for sure, the people who are not noticing what this team is doing is truly missing out. This is a team whose most marketable piece is a 40 year old Luis Gonzalez, surrounded by what should be the best team in the minor leagues. Sure they are young, but at this point in the season they are too naïve as ball players to know that they are not supposed to be making a run.

It would take many things going their way in order to make the playoffs, however the Marlins are putting in their part. This team is riding a 7 game win streak all the way past mediocre and hoping to land somewhere in the hunt. While they are still 5 games out of the wildcard race, this team is playing with something that George Steinbrenners’ millions can’t buy; heart.

Last night was destined to be special; it started with Hanley Ramirez sending the second pitch of the game for a wild ride to the club level. Fourteen runs later the Marlins and starter Ricky Nolasco had shown what little fans they had left in the stands why people in South Florida should take note as to the proceedings taking place on the field.

The Marlins have never been the sexy team, usually grinding and gutting their way through the playoffs to the two World Series Titles they have.

(Side note) yes I said Two World Series Titles!

In ten years this team has accomplished what many teams in the realm that is Major League Baseball could only dream about. But it doesn’t quite seem to be enough for a fan base who is as much about winning as any city in the country. When they are winning they love them, and when they are not the fans seems to crawl back to the safety of being a sports fan from afar.

This town could never be confused for Wrigleyville; it doesn’t have the tenacity to be Hockeytown U.S.A, and it can’t quite even live up to Dogertown. One thing this place does have is a group of guys who won’t settle for going through the motions during this last couple of weeks.

So take note South Florida, the bandwagon that is Tropicana Field and the Rays can no longer support the capacity crowd which suddenly appeared as the Rays attempt to make the playoffs for the first time in the history of the franchise. If you want a young upstart team to support, you have one right in your own backyard. Give these guys a chance and they likely will not disappoint.

These men are YOUR Florida Marlins.