Finally in the pink, Floyd hitting stride

By BRANT JAMES and Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 9, 2000

Cliff Floyd, like many supertalented prospects before and since, was anointed the next this or next that -- in his case Willie McCovey -- before he made his big-league debut in 1993.

But a career-threatening broken wrist in 1995 and subsequent Achilles' and knee ailments have kept him from even being the first Cliff Floyd -- perhaps until now.

With home runs in three consecutive games and in six in his past 11, the Marlins leftfielder is enjoying one of longest uninterrupted power surges of his star-crossed major-league career. After eliciting comparisons with the Giants Hall of Famer by flashing power and speed in the Montreal minor-league system, Floyd finally may be attaining his potential.

"This is the real Cliff Floyd," Marlins manager John Boles told Fort Lauderdale's Sun-Sentinel. "He's on fire. In my opinion, he's just scratched the surface. He's not even in the prime years of his career yet. He's just coming into it. I think we're going to see some spectacular things from him."

Frugal Florida hopes so. The club acquired him in a deal for Dustin Hermanson in 1997 and made him its cornerstone player before last season with a four-year, $19-million deal.

Floyd, 27, says he is ready to earn that cash after seasons of promise tainted by frustration.

That health is the key to his season is no secret.

"The big thing for me is I have to stay healthy," he said. "I think if I do, the numbers will come."

They've come in droves so far.

That Floyd is batting .291 with 39 RBI, 12 home runs and 13 stolen bases is dwarfed by the fact he has 10 home runs and 30 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 33 games since May 1, not coincidently when he overcame his lastest injuries.

Floyd batted .348 in May, is hitting .400 (24-for-60) with 9 homers, 5 doubles and 20 RBI in his past 17 games.

He is one of three big-leaguers with double-digit totals in homers, RBI and steals, and lately has made a habit of throwing his linebacker frame into highlight-reel catches.

The Marlins have wasted much of that production, however.

Floyd's three-run shot off Boston's Brian Rose gave the Marlins a 6-2 lead Wednesday and helped them avoid a three-game sweep. The win was Florida's fifth in 19 games.

Florida enters the series tonight 27-33 and 11 games behind Atlanta in the National League East.

RYAN EXPRESS: Right-hander Ryan Dempster, who faces Steve Trachsel in the opener, is fourth in the National League in earned-run average (3.18), tied for fifth in strikeouts (78) and tied for eighth in wins (6).

KIND OF HOT: Reid Cornelius, scheduled to start Saturday against Esteban Yan, has not won in three starts since being recalled from Triple-A Calgary, but has pitched well. Cornelius (0-1, 4.86 ERA) has a 1.35 ERA and has pitched at least 6 1/3 innings in his past two outings.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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