HOUSTON _ As the Miami Marlins prepare to continue their unexpected playoff run, a message popped up in the players' group chat from Francisco Cervelli.
The veteran catcher had just announced his retirement from the sport after 13 seasons and was sidelined the final month of the season with a concussion but still remains heavily involved with the team.
The message, summarized Monday by shortstop Miguel Rojas: "Our game is fun. Our game is not the same as everyone else. We play our game like it's the Little League World Series, and we're going to keep it that way."
They're playing loose. They're playing confident. And they're still playing with a chip on their shoulder as their playoff run continues. Few expected them to make it this far, let alone make the playoffs even with the field expanded to 16 teams.
The next step starts Tuesday, with a best-of-5 National League Division Series matchup with the Atlanta Braves at Houston's Minute Maid Park.
They made it with their old school style of speed, small ball, pitching and defense, all while keeping the mood lighthearted as they navigated through a coronavirus outbreak, 18 players making debuts and 28 games over the final 24 days of the season.
The veterans are providing needed guidance. The rookies are keeping the clubhouse light. The results are still coming.
Why change now just because the stage is getting bigger?
"It's just fun," outfielder Monte Harrison said. "Just go play baseball and take the pressure off yourself. As a kid, you don't think about getting two hits this game because they're gonna help me in arbitration or do this or do that. Man, just go out and have fun. The dude's on our team, we're joking and laughing all the time. That's just guys on the team being themselves. I hope that culture stays here because it attracts winning and attracts a calm culture to be yourself."
