State of embarrassment

Why are there professional baseball teams in Florida? The state, known for flawed elections, tacky theme parks, and Ben Vereen, simply dislikes the sport. As of yesterday, the Tampa Bay Rays and Florida Marlins led their respective divisions but were 27th and 30th in average home attendance. In their 11th season of existence, the Rays have never had a winning record, finishing last nine times out of 10. Tampans, at least, have an excuse. But the people of Miami are a bunch of ingrates. Despite two World Series championships, in 1997 and 2003, and an overflow of charismatic young talent, Miamians have never embraced the Fish. Philadelphia, meanwhile, is one more Flyers loss (book it) away from a quarter-century without a championship. Woe is Philly.

Hank speaks, we listen

Hank Steinbrenner delivered another salvo to his struggling team, but the Yankees boss tempered his comments yesterday one day after ruffling some pinstripes in a New York Post story. "This is going to get turned around," said Steinbrenner, according to the Post. "If it's not turned around this year, then it will be turned around next year, by force if we have to." The son of George went on to say that his players needed to "earn that money." The Yankees entered yesterday 19-21 and alone in fourth place in the American League East. Last year at the same point, New York was 18-22 and 10 games out of first place. The Yankees eventually came back to win the wild card. Hank lightened his mood yesterday, saying that the players needed to play with hunger. (Bobby Abreu apparently got the message, and stayed away from the pregame buffet like he does the right-field wall.)

Nailed down

It may sound like just another pampered athlete milking a prima-donna injury, but when Boston Red Sox righthander Clay Buchholz was put on the 15-day disabled list yesterday because of a broken nail on his right middle finger, it made perfect sense. "I've had a fingernail bend, but never one that just came off," Buchholz said. "It went all the way off, and I just had to end up tearing it off." If you doubt the severity of the wound, rip the nail off, grip a baseball, and try to throw 75 two-seam fastballs. Buchholz plans on showing the injury to every Yankees fan who asks to see it.

Notable

Tampa Bay lefthander Scott Kazmir, 24, agreed to a $28.5 million, three-year extension through 2011. He is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA this season. . . . The Orioles' Jim Hoey, who pitched in 23 games last year, is out for the season following shoulder surgery.

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Contact staff writer Jeff McLane at 215-854-4745

or jmclane@phillynews.com.