The set up couldn’t be better for both Showtime and the Marlins. Ozzie Guillen is nuts, Marlins ownership is crazy, and the characters on the team are insecure little babies who need constant coddling. It’s a recipe for a train wreck, and according to the article that’s what we get. The content is priceless as we see the behind-the-scenes goings on. There are discussions about how horrible closer Heath Bell has been, why does Hanley’s agent want to see us, the whole Guillen/Fidel Castro love affair, and other juicy tid-bits you won’t see in the headlines.

Even so, Miami is averaging 28,543 fans per game in 2012 through 26 home games – a number that puts the Marlins at #15 in per-game attendance in the Majors. Miami will never touch the numbers of the Yankees, Red Sox, and Cardinals, but compared to last season’s dead last average attendance of 17,180, the improvement is fantastic. The Marlins’ increase in attendance over 2011 is 11,363, outdistancing the Detroit Tigers’ improvement of 9,109.

Though it shouldn’t really surprise anybody that the new stadium has helped boost attendance, many will be keeping their eyes on the numbers throughout the season to see if the team is able to turn some of the newer fans into regulars, and build upon the team’s success on the field in May.

At their current pace, the Marlins would hit approximately 2.31 million fans in attendance this season. Only twice in team history has Miami drawn more than that total – the inaugural season in 1993, and the 1997 World Series championship team. Even 2003′s World Series championship team drew a dismal 1.3 million for the season, ranking only ahead of the Montreal Expos (who moved two seasons later to Washington, and became the Nationals).

Marlins management probably had dreams of getting to at least 2.5 million, but the improvement so far has made Miami much more watchable to fans outside Marlins fandom. No longer are fans tuning in to a Marlins home game to see a sea of empty orange seats in a football stadium.

A general view during a game between the Washington Nationals and the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium. (Image: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE)

The ESPN Sports Center jokes are gone – for now, at least. Management did state before the season that they hoped fans would come to the new ballpark, have a great time, tell their friends, and come again later in the season

If the team continues to win, and Giancarlo Stanton continues to provide plenty of offensive bluster, fans should continue to flock to Marlins Park. Being in contention in September to win the division or have a shot at the wild card would be a big boost. Might not hurt that the Miami Heat wouldn’t be in the middle of a playoff run in September, too.

Attendance the last 10 games has averaged a little over 26,500, boosted considerably by a 4-game series with the San Francisco Giants. The June outlook should be good, with the Red Sox, Cardinals, Braves, and Phillies all visiting Marlins Park this month.

July 8, 2011; Miami, FL, USA; Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez (2) is congratulated by Bryan Petersen (16) and Logan Morrison (right) after a two run home run against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lou Novick-US PRESSWIRE

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“We’re still planning for 2015,” said Marlins president David Samson “We’re going to work with the Commissioner and apply.”

Feb 2, 2012; Jupiter, FL, USA; A general view of a Miami Marlins welcome sign at the entrance to Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

With a brand new stadium located in an appealing area of attractions, it defiantly makes perfect since to bring the All-Star Game to Miami. Not only are the Marlins one of the few teams that still hasn’t hosted the games, but they also lack a bit of national exposure. Bringing the events and games to Miami would not only give us more national attention, but it would give baseball fan’s a chance to check out the new stadium and find out what Marlins baseball is really about. Plus with a brand new stadium located in a very popular US city, it may be hard for the MLB to turn down the opportunity. With a retractable roof, a number of entertainment zones, and exotic fish and celebration pieces built inside the stadium, the game will also offer more of a  ”behind the scene” look at the new ball park.

“We’re fully prepared and excited to host it,” Samson said.

If the deal gets finalized, this would be big news for the Marlins. Coming into a year with a new name, uniforms, stadium, and player pieces, this will add on to the excitement. Not only would we get to look forward to potential championships, but also hosting the Midsummer Classic!

Luckily, this guy was born in the United States and did not lie about his name and age. Who is this player?

It is no other then Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton.

Feb 27 2012, Jupiter, FL, USA: Miami Marlins right fielder Mike Stanton (27) during photo day at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE.

That is the Marlins slugging right fielder. Giancarlo is the name Stanton went by until the 5th grade. But by the fifth grade, he decided to go by “Mike’’ because teachers and students kept mispronouncing his birth name.

It got really annoying having seven classes having to correct seven different people every single day. I figure if I have a unique name like that, I should not hide it.

Marlins players still have 25 other names that Stanton responds to, so he will not mind if you still want to call him Mike.