Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
OPENING DAY WELCOME
Blue-haired Chisholm brings some flash to opener for Marlins. Hopefully his game’ ll draw notice too.
Nevaeh Rotella, 10, holds a sign that reads “We missed you guys!” as she walks with her family through the concourse at loanDepot park in Miami before the opening day baseball game between the Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Attendance was 7,062. The Marlins are able to operate at 27% capacity; not all tickets were sold, but tickets were sold in every available two- or four-seat pod.
Let’s start with Jazz Chisholm’s blue hair.
It was a show-stopper on Opening Day. It looked like someone plugged in the Miami Marlins second baseman and the charge went fully to his hair.
“I can’t get past the blue hair — nobody can,” said Marlins CEO Derek Jeter on television during the team’s 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay.
No one wanted to get by it too far Thursday either because then you’d have to talk about an opener game that delivered a script the Marlins might follow a lot this year.
The talking points:
▪ Right-hander Sandy Alcantara opened for a strong Marlins pitching staff in form while matching the six shutout innings of Tampa Bay star Tyler Glasnow.
▪ The Marlins offense was — well, it was a day for baseball optimism, so just say the pitchers were ahead of the hitters. Far ahead. This is the type of low-scoring game the Marlins expect to be in a lot this year — “and we’ve got to find a way to win,’’ manager Don Mattingly said. “I think we will.”
▪ With baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred watching, Glasnow became a statue-esque advertisement for bringing the designated hitter to the National League. The Rays pitcher not only didn’t swing at a pitch, he was told by coaches not to swing for fear of injury. Good selling point.
Given those options, wouldn’t you rather talk about the young Marlin who wasn’t afraid to show up for his first opener in (hair)style? The last blue hair to
get this much attention in Miami belonged to the Golden Girls at the early-bird special. (Ba-dabing!)
You know how some of these players say they bleed Marlins blue? Well, if they do, they won’t stain Chisholm’s hair. (Ba-daboom!)
I’ll be here all season, folks. Well, maybe, if the Marlins demand the attention. That depends on players like Chisholm being the next step in the master plan.
If he puts his package together, “he’ll be a superstar,’’ Mattingly said leading into the opener.
And on a team needing a public personality? Well, he’s got one. Alcantara suggested Chisholm dye his hair blue for the day.
“So I was like, ‘I got you, bro,’ ” Chisholm said. “You know me. I got it, I got the flow for you. No problem with that.”
Please, with quotes like that, let him be a star.
There was no grand entrance to his first Opening Day. He hit a couple of hard balls that became outs. That happens.
“I think he likes the energy and the lights,’’ Mattingly said.
Who are the successful, flamboyant South Florida athletes? In the last 50 years, there’s only been a handful.
There was Dolphins running back Mercury Morris, who drove a powder-blue Corvette. There was Ricky Williams, though he was more counterculture than flamboyant.
Shaquille O’Neal? He was a big personality with the Heat, just as pitcher Jose Fernandez was with the Marlins.
Dwyane Wade was a diva — a word used in only the most complimentary manner. He demanded the spotlight. He enjoyed the big moments. He had the game that made you watch him too.
Can Chisholm please grow so his game matches his personality?
“Honestly, I like guys with personality and have confidence and swagger,’’ Mattingly said. “As long as they prepare properly and get out to the game the right way, I’m good with all the kind of external stuff.”
The Marlins’ played the defending American League champs close in their first game. There were fans, there was strong pitching – and there was blue hair.
“I was happy he did it for me,’’ Alcantara said of Chisholm going blue. “He looked great.”
One suggestion: Next time, Alcantara should tell his teammates to get a few more hits too.