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09/07/2006: "Tell Your Payroll to Shut Up"

As a Florida Marlins fan, this was supposed to be our season to forget. With 23 of last year's 25 players shipped out of town, and a total payroll of somewhere around $15 million - $10 million less than the Yankees' Alex Rodriquez alone - these guys were supposed to be the laughingtocks of MLB.

Apparently, someone forgot to tell the Fish. All year long, they've been overachieving, and the parade just keeps coming. Last night, it was Anibal Sanchez's turn, as he threw the first no-hitter in the majors in over 2 1/2 years. The Diamondbacks never really got close to getting a hit, as the traditionally weak Marlins defense made several spectatular plays to back up Sanchez. "Old Guys" Joe Borchard and Miguel Cabrera each homered, giving the Marlins all the offense they would need.

Sanchez, who came to the Marlins along with Hanley Ramirez from the Red Sox in the Lowell-Beckett deal, started the year at Double AA Carolina, where his manager believed he didn't have the mental toughness to make it at this level. I'm thinking you got that one wrong, Skip ...

As special as the no-hitter is, it may be even more important to have it come now when the team is hip-deep in the race for the wild card slot. If anyone thought Girardi's kids were going to fold, this serves as an emphatic "NO".