By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

With the Fort Myers Miracle having opened their 14th season at the Lee County
Sports Complex on Saturday night, here are the answers to 10 questions fans
might have about the Florida State League.

1. How many teams are in the league?

There are 12: The Dunedin Blue Jays, Clearwater Threshers (Phillies), Tampa
Yankees, Sarasota Reds, Palm Beach Cardinals, Jupiter Hammerheads (Marlins),
Port St. Lucie Mets, Vero Beach Dodgers, Daytona Cubs, Lakeland Tigers, Brevard
County Manatees (Brewers) and the Miracle (Twins).

They are divided into the East and West divisions.

2. What happened to the Sarasota Red Sox?

The Boston Red Sox decided to move their Class A affiliate to the Carolina
League. The team is now known as the Wilmington (Del.) Blue Rocks.

3. How long is the FSL season?

Each team plays 140 games, 70 at home and 70 on the road. The season's first
half will end Tuesday, June 21. The second half will end Sunday, Sept. 4. The
FSL playoffs will start Monday, Sept. 5.

4. How do the playoffs work?

Four teams participate. The winners of both halves in each division will play
each other in a best-of-3 series for the division championships. The two
winners will move on to play a best-of-5 championship series.

5. What does the championship team receive?

The Watson Spoelstra Florida State League Championship Trophy is named for a
former Detroit sports writer who approached baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn
in 1973 about organizing weekly chapel services for every major-league team.

6. How many players from the FSL have reached the big leagues?

More than 1,200 players have made their way to the big leagues since the FSL
began in 1919.

7. Are there any Hall-of-Famers who played in the league?

Yes. Stan Musial, Johnny Bench, Jim Palmer, Rod Carew, Ferguson Jenkins and
Rollie Fingers are among them.

8. How many players from the Miracle have reached the big leagues?

Since the team moved to Hammond Stadium in 1992, 56 players have advanced
from the Miracle to the majors.

9. Who are some notable players?

Notables include current Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, right fielder
Jacque Jones, first baseman Justin Morneau, third baseman Michael Cuddyer,
second
baseman Luis Rivas, shortstop Jason Bartlett and catcher Joe Mauer; Red Sox
designated hitter David Ortiz; Mets first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz; White Sox
catcher A.J. Pierzynski; Pirates outfielder Matt Lawton; and Cubs second
baseman Todd Walker.

10. Does the FSL have an All-Star Game?

Yes, and it will be played Saturday, June 18, at Bright House Networks Field,
the spring-training home of the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater.

Published on April 10, 2005


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