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06-08-2002, 07:19 PM
Interleague play brings back old memories for Marlins' manager Jeff Torborg.
Criss-crossing leagues Friday, Florida makes its first ever appearance against the Twins at the Metrodome.
Life in the dome will be a new experience for a number of Marlins, but not to Torborg, who last managed there as a visitor with the White Sox in 1991.
"It will be exciting for our guys," Torborg said of facing American League competition. "A lot of our guys will be going to stadiums they've never been to before."
What to expect in Minnesota? Tricky lighting.
"We're going to have to do some work in there," Torborg said. "The lighting in day games goes right through the fabric (Metrodome roof)."
Then there's the very slick artificial turf. Speed is essential in the outfield to cut off balls in the gap, especially shots driven into the right-field corner.
So Torborg is faced with some lineup possibilities. Does he give Cliff Floyd's tired knees a break and use the slugger as the designated hitter? Or, does he take advantage of Floyd's speed for defensive purposes?
"That would be a consideration," Torborg said when asked about using Floyd as DH.
If Floyd does DH, Eric Owens would likely take over in right field and Kevin Millar would move to left field. Remaining in center would be Preston Wilson, who covers a lot of ground.
Keeping legs fresh on the turf is a concern.
"I would think a couple of sets of legs would be barking," Torborg said.
While the Marlins did face the Twins in Spring Training, neither team knows much about each other.
"We're getting the (reports) in as we speak," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We played them in Spring Training and that's all we know about them and that's not much. You don't see a lot.
"They're a good baseball team and they've got great pitching. We saw that in Spring Training. They got some really good arms and very good players. It ought to be a very good series."
After three games in Minnesota, the Marlins travel to Kansas City for three games before returning home to face the Devil Rays on June 14. After taking on their state rivals, Florida squares off for three games against the Indians (June 18-20). It will be the first time these teams meet since the Marlins took the 1997 World Series in seven games.
Wrapping up Interleague action is a three-game series against Detroit, a team now under the supervision of former Marlins' GM Dave Dombrowski.
If past history is any indication, the Marlins will not be happy bidding farewell to A.L. competition. Florida's all-time Interleague record is 51-33, the highest win total of any team in the league.
Oakland, with 50 wins, is second in victories.
Millar has a theory as to why the Marlins are so successful against the A.L.
"Maybe it's because it's in the middle of the season," he said. "It's probably because we've played well in June. If Interleague was played in April, I'm sure you would see some different results. Because it's in the middle of the season, I think guys that have good Junes are swinging the bats well. I think that's one of the main reasons."
Criss-crossing leagues Friday, Florida makes its first ever appearance against the Twins at the Metrodome.
Life in the dome will be a new experience for a number of Marlins, but not to Torborg, who last managed there as a visitor with the White Sox in 1991.
"It will be exciting for our guys," Torborg said of facing American League competition. "A lot of our guys will be going to stadiums they've never been to before."
What to expect in Minnesota? Tricky lighting.
"We're going to have to do some work in there," Torborg said. "The lighting in day games goes right through the fabric (Metrodome roof)."
Then there's the very slick artificial turf. Speed is essential in the outfield to cut off balls in the gap, especially shots driven into the right-field corner.
So Torborg is faced with some lineup possibilities. Does he give Cliff Floyd's tired knees a break and use the slugger as the designated hitter? Or, does he take advantage of Floyd's speed for defensive purposes?
"That would be a consideration," Torborg said when asked about using Floyd as DH.
If Floyd does DH, Eric Owens would likely take over in right field and Kevin Millar would move to left field. Remaining in center would be Preston Wilson, who covers a lot of ground.
Keeping legs fresh on the turf is a concern.
"I would think a couple of sets of legs would be barking," Torborg said.
While the Marlins did face the Twins in Spring Training, neither team knows much about each other.
"We're getting the (reports) in as we speak," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We played them in Spring Training and that's all we know about them and that's not much. You don't see a lot.
"They're a good baseball team and they've got great pitching. We saw that in Spring Training. They got some really good arms and very good players. It ought to be a very good series."
After three games in Minnesota, the Marlins travel to Kansas City for three games before returning home to face the Devil Rays on June 14. After taking on their state rivals, Florida squares off for three games against the Indians (June 18-20). It will be the first time these teams meet since the Marlins took the 1997 World Series in seven games.
Wrapping up Interleague action is a three-game series against Detroit, a team now under the supervision of former Marlins' GM Dave Dombrowski.
If past history is any indication, the Marlins will not be happy bidding farewell to A.L. competition. Florida's all-time Interleague record is 51-33, the highest win total of any team in the league.
Oakland, with 50 wins, is second in victories.
Millar has a theory as to why the Marlins are so successful against the A.L.
"Maybe it's because it's in the middle of the season," he said. "It's probably because we've played well in June. If Interleague was played in April, I'm sure you would see some different results. Because it's in the middle of the season, I think guys that have good Junes are swinging the bats well. I think that's one of the main reasons."