The Florida Marlins will open their ninth season of Major League Baseball on Monday, April 2 at Pro Player Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies at 4:05 p.m. The 2001 home schedule features visits by the two-time defending World Champion New York Yankees on July 12-14 and visits by all 15 National League Clubs and three American League opponents. The 2001 home schedule is highlighted by nine series against 2000 playoff participants, including three visits each by the 2000 NL East Champion Atlanta Braves and 2000 Wild Card Champion New York Mets. The Marlins will host the Braves on April 6-8, May 21-23 and September 24-26, the New York Mets on May 31-June 3, July 23-25 and September 7-9, the NL Central Champion St. Louis Cardinals on May 1-3 and the NL West Champion San Francisco Giants on May 15-17. The Marlins will play an unbalanced schedule for the first time in Club history, featuring 19 games each against National League East opponents.

The South Florida Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) announced their annual Florida Marlins award winners today. The Most Valuable Player is outfielder Preston Wilson (six votes). The Rookie of the Year is pitcher Chuck Smith (eight votes). The Most Improved Marlin is first baseman Derrek Lee (six votes). The “Charlie Hough” Good Guy Award is given to the member of the Marlins who fosters the most positive relations with the media. The winner of this year’s award is Marlins third baseman Mike Lowell (five votes). Nine members of the South Florida Chapter of the BBWAA voted for this year’s awards. The results of the voting were announced by the president of the BBWAA South Florida Chapter David O’Brien.