NOTEBOOK From the World Series

Bandwagon jumping normal: Florida drew 1.3 million fans at home during the regular season, an average of 16,290. But big crowds are expected for the Marlins' three World Series home games. "Sure, there's been a little bandwagon jumping, but I think that's only normal," third baseman Mike Lowell said. "If we don't fill it up in the World Series, you can probably put a grenade under Pro Player Stadium. But it's a good feeling. It's much [better] playing in front of 65,000 than playing in front of 6,000. Hopefully, there's a big carryover effect next year."
Lumber Co.: Roger Clemens wasn't looking forward to hitting when he starts Game 4 Wednesday night. Clemens is 4-for-20 with three sacrifices as a batter during the regular season in his career, driving in his only run with a single at Coors Field on June 20, 2002. In the postseason, he's 0-for-6 with one sacrifice and two strikeouts. "I hope that when I have to hit, someone's on," Clemens said. "It's not something you do." Clemens did not start taking batting practice until the World Series began.
Shortstop's slump: Marlins manager Jack McKeon says Alex Gonzalez's glovework makes him indispensable, so he'll remain in the lineup despite an .087 postseason average. Gonzalez is 4-for-46 with 12 strikeouts. He went 0-for-6 in the first two games of the World Series. "He's going through a little period where he's not hitting," McKeon said. "But he's so valuable out there playing shortstop that you don't have any thoughts of taking him out of the ball game, unless it would be a situation where you were down a few runs near the end." Gonzalez's struggles at the plate actually date to the All-Star break. He batted .288 with 53 RBIs before the break, but .208 with 24 RBIs the second half of the regular season.
Comforting colleague: Yankees manager Joe Torre defended the decision by Boston manager Grady Little to leave in Pedro Martinez during the eighth inning of ALCS Game 7 last Thursday. Martinez allowed the Yankees to score three runs and tie the game, and New York won 6-5 in 11 innings. "Bob Gibson was visiting me the other day. I said, 'What chance you think Red Schoendienst had to take the ball out of your hand in that game?' " Torre said. "He says, 'None.' To have a manager be questioned about leaving the best pitcher in baseball in a ball game when he's thrown 115, 120 pitches, when probably capping it with fumes and everything, to throw 130 or 140, it's tough. Our game is about winning. A lot of people don't necessarily care what the reasons are, it's just the bottom line that makes things happen like that. But, yeah, it's unfortunate. Grady did a great job with that ball club. You talk to every player and they'll tell you. He dealt with some discipline problems during the season and handled them, I thought, very well. Leaving Pedro Martinez in the game, if that's a wrong decision, then that's a tough way to go."
-- Associated Press