Marlin Mania Hits Streets in Miami

The Florida Marlins are literally stopping traffic all over this town, which still isn’t accustomed to baseball in October.

In restaurants, shopping malls, wherever the day takes you here, the Marlins are the topic. They’re signing autographs in grocery stores, gas stations, wherever the day takes them.

South Floridians simply can’t get enough of their fish. Though the big show hasn’t started yet, the excitement hasn’t stopped.

The National League champions play host to the American League champion Cleveland Indians tonight in Game 1 of the World Series at Pro Player Stadium. Finally, Marlin fans can focus on the games.

“The fans have been all over us everywhere we go,” said first baseman Jeff Conine, an original Marlin. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s been great, but now that the Series is starting, everyone will focus on that.

“I’ve obviously never seen the fans like this before and I can’t say I ever thought I would. It’s been crazy, just crazy.”

That’s to be expected when a fifth-year franchise earns one of only two tickets to baseball’s biggest event. The Marlins reached the World Series quicker than any other franchise, and they didn’t do anything to discourage their fans along the way.

Florida swept the San Francisco Giants in the division series and defeated the two-time defending champion Atlanta Braves in the league championship series. And as if the story line weren’t compelling enough, the Marlins also faced down injuries and illness in defeating their NL East foe.

“Beating Atlanta was very special for the organization, but I think it was just as special for South Florida,” Marlin General Manager Dave Dombrowski said. “The fans really became involved with how much we had to cope with to win and they were a big part of what happened.

“Everywhere I go around town now, everyone is alive. You can see how excited everyone is because they’ve watched what this team has done.”

Even the Indians are impressed.

“I think this is really neat for the Indian and Marlin fans,” said Cleveland’s David Justice, the former Atlanta outfielder. “I think everyone was getting tired of seeing the Braves in the World Series. The Indians against the Marlins, who would have ever thought that?

“We were eating in South Beach [Friday], and just to see the people here in Florida so excited about the Marlins is great. I like this type of stuff because so many people’s lives are affected because of the Marlins.”

Cleveland has more experience at this sort of thing, having lost to the Braves in the 1995 World Series. Cleveland is playing in its fifth World Series and the franchise won championships in 1920 and ’48.

But don’t try teaching history to the Marlins.

“We know that Cleveland is a great team or they wouldn’t be here,” said Marlin center fielder Devon White, who earned two World Series rings with the Toronto Blue Jays.

“But we know what we’ve done to get here. We’ve showed something too.”

The Marlins have treated their fans to several stirring games in their first postseason appearance, winning twice in their final at-bat in the division series. They also captivated their fans by displaying emotion that hadn’t previously characterized this team.

“No one in our clubhouse held anything back and the fans noticed that,” outfielder Gary Sheffield said. “Everyone saw how close this team is and how everybody is out there working together.”

Then there was the record-setting, 15-strikeout performance by rookie right-hander Livan Hernandez, who is scheduled to start tonight’s opener against Cleveland’s Orel Hershiser, in the Marlins’ 2-1 victory in Game 5 of the championship series.

A Cuban defector, Hernandez, the championship series’ most valuable player, already had been wildly popular with Miami’s large Cuban American community. And after pitching that playoff gem?

Well, Hernandez caused a traffic jam when he went to lunch with friends Wednesday at a Cuban restaurant here. As soon as people recognized him, they felt compelled to offer a few “attaboys” and wish him luck. Other Marlins have had similar experiences.

As a matter of policy, Miami officials frown on drivers leaving running vehicles to congratulate the Marlins. However, they’re looking away for now.

“This has been one of the best things that’s ever happened to me,” Hernandez said through an interpreter. “I love all the fans and I hope they will all yell [tonight]. This is something very, very special.”

And not only for players and fans. Owner Wayne Huizenga has behaved like a little kid during the Marlins’ inspirational run.

A billionaire kid, but a kid nonetheless.

“I’ve really hung on every pitch, every out,” said Huizenga, who will decide whether to sell the team after the World Series. “This is almost more fun than you can dream of having.”

It had been Huizenga’s hope to experience this feeling someday, which is why he committed $89 million in the off-season to improve the team. Huizenga also brought Jim Leyland aboard, which was what Leyland needed.

The highly respected manager had become disenchanted with the Pittsburgh Pirate way, watching his talented team torn apart for financial reasons. Instead of answering questions about slashed payrolls and budget deficits, Leyland is about to begin his first World Series and has been holding court around Miami with enthusiastic fans.

“I’m competitive and I wanted to be able to compete again,” Leyland said. “I came here because I wanted to get back that feeling I used to have.”

The Marlins have brought back that old feeling to Leyland, and they’ve given South Florida a new one.