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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Concerts the draw in Miami

Mike Phillips Miami Herald

MIAMI – The Phillies are here for a weekend series with the Marlins.

That’s the World Series-champion Phillies, the team the Marlins consider their biggest rival, and the team they likely will have to unseat to win the National League East.

The Marlins have the best record in baseball, sit atop the National League East and still are the talk of baseball.

So what kind of crowds will show up this weekend to see the hottest team in baseball play the defending World Series champions?

When that question was asked this week, the response was: “Who is in the concert Saturday night?”

The country is talking about the Marlins and their abundance of good, young starters, their new-found speed and superstar Hanley Ramirez.

But in South Florida, it’s all about who is performing in the Saturday night concert. This week, it is Cuban singer Albita.

In fact, the concerts are so important to the Marlins that the team moved up the start of its April 11 game against the New York Mets from 7:10 p.m. to 6:25 p.m.

That time conflicted with Fox’s exclusive Saturday national telecast window, which prevents local broadcasts of games scheduled to start from 1:10-7 p.m. The Marlins said the early start was to accommodate the postgame concert by rapper Flo Rida.

But don’t blame the players – who were in the playoff hunt a year ago and are in first place today – for fan apathy. And don’t blame the marketing people, who have tried innovative ways to increase attendance.

The truth is, the Marlins have the Saturday night concerts for the same reason they have scantily dressed young women dancing atop the dugouts and the Manatees dancing team. You won’t find those at any other ballpark.

Marlins officials said they are just trying to find a way to draw people to watch the team with the lowest attendance in baseball.

But will the Marlins’ fast start help change the apathy South Florida has for this franchise?

“It would be great to play in front of big crowds this weekend,” Marlins right fielder Cody Ross said. “We love to play in front of big crowds, and it would be nice to have them at home.

“It’s the Phillies. We’re excited. It’s a big series, and it would be great to have big crowds. But if we don’t get them it won’t change the way we approach the Phillies. We know we have to beat them.”

They did a year ago.

The Marlins – head-to-head – were better than the World Series champions last year, finishing 10-8 in the regular season. Phillies fans know that, and the Marlins draw sellout crowds in Philadelphia.

This is their first meeting this season, and the Marlins are only home for three days before hitting the road for a tough stretch against the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs, who sell out every game. That alone gives this series even more significance. And these are the Phillies.

“I think the fans understand it’s a big series for us,” Marlins catcher John Baker said. “We’re playing the World Series champs. Of course, we would love to have big crowds at home, and I think it would mean even more now due to the tough economy.”

The Marlins are coming home riding a three-game losing streak, but none of the players seemed to be worried because the overall start has been so impressive.

The idea of playing in front of 40,000 at home would be more impressive.

It also would make an early statement about how South Florida feels about this team. Did the 11-1 start convert the nonbelievers? Did the three-game losing streak in Pittsburgh make fans believe the Marlins are a fluke?

“It would be awesome to have big crowds against the Phillies this weekend,” said Chris Volstad, who will pitch today – before the concert.

“We always appreciate the crowds.”