Marlins Manatees Endeared, Not Endangered

This isn't the first time we've written about the Marlins Manatees, but it merits repeating. Yesterday, the Manatees (the over-sized all male cheerleading squad) was an unmitigated success. Considering how the game went, they may have been the crowning moment of the day.

And the story keeps getting larger and larger. As the Palm Beach Post reports, these lovable moonlighters will be making an appearance on Jay Leno Thursday night. Make sure to set your DVR.

Among my favorite quotes from the Palm Beach Post story:

"It said, 'Fat guys with no experience.' That's me," said Bauer, 33, a peanut vendor at Marlins games who is 5-foot-11 and 275 pounds. "And I thought there was going to be a buffet."

The team wanted big bellies with "the biggest jiggle." "I showed it to my wife, and she said, 'Yep, you have those qualifications,' " said electronics salesman Tim Koteff, 47, the trimmest member of the group at 5-foot-8 and 225 pounds.

Nelson "Tiny" Clark, a 24-year-old security guard who stands 5-foot-5 and weighs 435 pounds, was the main event. He wore one sequined glove, executed a 360-degree spin and broke out in a little moonwalk. "I thought it'd be a good thing just to let other big men know you don't have to sit back and be shy," Clark said. "You love to dance? Hey, break it down, don't be shy."

Maybe I'm a bit too enamored by this story, but I can't help myself. Creativity of this kind ought to be applauded, and heavy people deserve a chance. Here's one for the big boys.