Marlins Get Rings, Another Loss

This may have been the Florida Marlins’ last chance to celebrate their World Series championship.

A pregame ring ceremony and accompanying highlight video brought back wonderful memories for the Marlins and their fans. But Florida’s fifth consecutive loss, 5-2 to the Milwaukee Brewers, served notice that this is a new team.

“The World Series will always live in your heart,” Marlin catcher Charles Johnson said. “Nobody will ever forget Edgar [Renteria’s] big hit, but life goes on. But you can’t take away those memories.”

Cliff Floyd, one of 17 Marlin players and staff to receive a ring--retired Darren Daulton received his--hit his fourth homer for the Marlins for a brief 2-1 lead in the sixth, but he struck out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

“I usually get jitters before a game but the emotion of the ceremony was unbelievable and it wipes everything away,” Floyd said. “I said to myself, no matter what happens I’m going to enjoy this day.”