Florida Blog

The Panthers, still engaged in a decade long lawsuit with the hockey franchise that stole our name, look forward to forgetting about this unfortunate distraction come opening day. "Kids with freckles" night at the ballpark ensures fun for all at our home opener. The latest Panther promotion provides free tickets to kids with true freckles, although in the past team security has had to wrestle kids to the ground who try to dot their faces with speckles of black paint. Not to put a fine point on it, but customers who try to cheat will be arrested.

Regarding actual team news, the club is most excited about a starting pitching staff that features Roy Halladay, Adam Wainwright, Ervin Santana, Francisco Liriano and Edwin Jackson, Fausto Carmona, who had a great spring, is another option for the rotation, but will begin the season as part of a deep bullpen that includes Francisco Cordero (who we literally mortaged the farm for...), Trevor Hoffman and Scott Downs, with assistance from Gio Gonzalez, Chris Narveson and Manny Parra. There must be a reason for all the freaking left-handers on this team, but I'm guessing it's just dumb luck. The hitting, well, I hoped you wouldn't ask, but B.J. Upton has to be better than he was last year, doesn't he...and maybe even Stephen Drew can show some consistency, and of course, just to ensure maximum amounts of clubhouse chemistry: there's Uncle Milton Bradley, who will be having autograph sessions with the little ones right before every game. Let's play ball!!!!