Play the game right.

I have been a baseball fan my entire life, and a Florida Marlins fan since their inception. I have witnessed various members of this team not hustling throughout the years but yesterday (Sunday, September 21, 2008 virsus the Phillies) was the worst.

I find it hard to accept under any circumstances (but especially considering the playoff possibilities this year) that two starters (Jacobs and Cantu) would not run out balls hit during yesterday's game.

Jacobs stood at the plate and watched his hard hit ball to first base misplayed by the first baseman to the extent that when the ball was recovered and thrown to the covering player at first base - Jacobs was barely in the picture!

Cantu hit a pop fly to third and did not run it out so the Phillies shortstop hollered DROP IT! When the ball hit the ground Cantu was fortunate it was misplayed or he would have been doubled up at first.

I know Fredi Gonzolez would never show up one of his players in public but this is totally unacceptable play and I fault the manager and coaching staff for allowing it to continue. As I said at the beginning of this rant, this is not the first (or second) time I have witnessed this behavior this season.

Both these players should be called into the manager's office and told why they are being sat down for todays game.

For you older fans out there- when Billy Martin was managing (and playing for that matter) how long do you think he would have stood for this? Remember how he handled Reggie Jackson's lacadasical play in the field?

Sorry for ranting, I feel better now (but not much better).