Jonathan Broxton looks like giant of a man to Marlins

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I’m pretty sure people do prison terms for that kind of maltreatment. I mean, it was pure nasty. Don’t-mess-with-me-I’m-the-man nasty.

Jonathan Broxton told us not to be concerned because the radar gun was clocking him at 91 mph in his last preseason appearance against the Angels. The man doesn’t say much, but it might be best to believe him when he does talk.

He absolutely abused the final two Marlins hitters Friday night. He might as well have been Muhammad Ali standing defiantly over Sonny Liston.

He wasn’t even supposed to be in the game, the Dodgers seemingly cruising to a 7-1 victory heading into the ninth. Broxton, who had been warming up until the Dodgers scored three times in the top of the inning, sat down and Russ Ortiz was summoned.

That would be Russ Ortiz, now the undisputed leading candidate to be sent down when either Hong-Chih Kuo or Ronald Belisario are ready. Ortiz loaded the bases on a single and two one-out walks.

So the call went to Broxton, who quickly gave up a two-run double to Wes Helms.

Apparently, the Marlins had never heard about not tugging on Superman’s cape. Or heard Jimmy Dean’s classic ‘Big, Bad John.’

Every mornin’ at the mine you could see him arrive
He stood six foot six and weighed two forty-five
Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
Everybody knew you didn’t give no lip, to Big John

Actually, Broxton is listed at 6-4 and 300. But it is best not to give him no lip, particularly via the bat.

What he did next made mothers cover their children’s eyes. He reared back and fired, and then fired a little harder. Not that any hitter saw anything. Could swear I saw smoke coming from his head.

Each pitch seemed to be thrown with more determination. Chris Coghlan, the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, weakly struck out swinging.

The radar gun was going 96 mph, then 97 mph. Then Broxton dropped in an 88-mph slider on Cameron Maybin. Really, it wasn’t fair.

Finally, Broxton reared back and threw a 98-mph fastball. Maybin swung, but his eyes were closed. Probably figured, what did he have to lose?

Now the Dodgers wait to see if any Marlin files abuse charges.

-- Steve Dilbeck