As per the usual, the Marlins are once again attempting to rewrite history.
Never in baseball history has one team's infielders each hit as many as 25 home runs in one season. But Jacobs, Uggla, Ramirez and Cantu are on pace to become the first foursome to pound out that many.
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According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only six infield units ever -- none of them in the National League -- have had all four of its members smack as many as 20 home runs in one season.
The 1940 Boston Red Sox were the original. The 2005 Texas Rangers were the most recent and came closest to getting 25 home runs from each of their four infielders, with only shortstop Michael Young falling short at 24.
But the Marlins think they can carve out a new spot in the record books.
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• Jacobs, the first baseman, has hit 17 home runs and is on track for 38.
• Uggla, the second baseman, has clubbed 21, which would give him a franchise-record 47 if he keeps it up.
• Ramirez, the shortstop, has knocked 15 out to put him on line for 33.
• Cantu, the third baseman, has 14 homers, a pace that would leave him with 31.
Even if the two home runs Jacobs and Cantu each have hit as designated hitters are discounted, all four are still swatting long balls at an unprecedented pace.
''It's amazing to have three guys on pace to hit 25 or more,'' Marlins hitting coach Jim Presley said. ``To think four of them are doing it is unimaginable.''
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Catcher Matt Treanor said one hitter for the Seattle Mariners, after stepping into the batter's box on Monday, turned to him and said ``You guys rake.''
It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Marlins achieve the all-time record for home runs by the infielders. The way it is looking right now, the only way they won't achieve the mark is if there are a rash of injuries.
I didn't highlight the portion of the article that says they are also on a record pace for errors by an infield. If they do what they did in 2006 and 2007, the errors should decline in the second-half of the season. IIRC.
Also, if I had to guess, (I'm not privileged to the Elias Sports Bureau data and there ain't no way I'm going to research it myself) the Marlins infielders are also on a pace to set the record in strikeouts. Like I said, it's just a guess.
The good news about strikeouts is the team grounds into fewer, momentum stealing, curse word inducing, rally killing double plays. In fact the Marlins are last in the NL in grounding into double plays and are first in the fewest AB/HR.
Not saying strikeouts are good, but when you have a team that comes out of their shoes when they swing -- there are worst alternatives.
But back to the home run thing, rewriting the history book is nothing new to the Marlins and I fully expect they will do it once again.