Marlins Land On SI's Cover
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – All it took was some serious free agent spending, a brand new stadium, and a new outspoken manager and the new look Miami Marlins have made the cover of Sports Illustrated this week.
The cover also manages to poke a little fun at the "Lin"sanity by calling the Marlins, "Marlin"sanity.
For the Marlins, the publicity couldn't come at a better time with the season set to begin in a little over a month.
Owner Jeffrey Loria wouldn't spend much on a new stadium, but did sink more than $100 million into several free agents this year, which is giving the team and the city optimism for the future.
The SI cover features new Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen and the Marlins' richest free agent target in years, shortstop Jose Reyes minus his once famous dreadlocks.
Reyes is expected to bat leadoff for the Marlins and form a potent left side of the infield with third baseman Hanley Ramirez.
Guillen has been brought in for his no-nonsense approach and to hopefully connect better with the sometimes petulant Ramirez.
So far, the Marlins entire roster is healthy in spring training and Guillen seems to have forged a bond with Ramirez as the onetime shortstop has moved to third base without throwing much of a fit this spring.
Only time will tell if the addition of Reyes, Guillen, pitchers Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell, plus a healthy Ramirez can take the team to the next level.
Still, with a new logo, stadium, and overall outlook of the franchise, the future has never looked brighter for the Marlins.
