Early on, Ramirez ran afoul of then-manager Fredi Gonzalez when he accidentally kicked the ball into the outfield and lazily retrieved it while runners scored. Then the Marlins abruptly fired Gonzalez with the promise of hiring Bobby Valentine only to have that possibility publicly implode before our very eyes. And now, Coghlan is out for the season after tearing a knee ligament during a postgame shaving-cream celebration. Adding to all that shame, Josh Johnson has been stellar all year, but he can’t even get a win thanks to the atrocious Marlins bullpen.
The good news, though, is that the Marlins aren’t the worst team in the league. Sure, there will be no playoffs. Sure, our club is a laughingstock. But hey, we should be thankful the Fish aren’t the Houston Astros, who visit Sun Life Stadium (2269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami Gardens) over the weekend for a three-game series. Friday’s game begins at 7:10 p.m., and tickets start at $9. Visit marlins.com.
Fri., Aug. 20, 7:10 p.m., 2010
