'"Sometimes the talent of the young guys exceeds the experience
advantage held by veterans," (Wes) Helms said. "And sometimes, when you get
a high-payroll team, the chemistry isn't there. They're just a bunch of
superstars on one team and don't' play well together. Here, with all
this youth, it's like one big family."
'And because they aren't performing on a stage in which their every
mistake and move is scrutinized to the level it would in a large
market, the younger players can relax and perform at their best.
'"That's why I think all these kids play so well here, because they
don't have any pressure on them," (Jeff) Conine said. "They don't have a
Yankee Stadium full of people screaming at them every time they strike
out. They can go out there and play and develop their baseball skills
without a lot of outside influence."
'Helms said he has seen young players in other cities melt from the
pressure, from fans and media alike. He noticed it last season with
Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick.
'"I'm not going to lie -- they're harsh up there," Helms said of fans
and media in Philadelphia, where he lasted for little more than one
season before returning to the Marlins. "I know Kendrick went through
it last year. He was taking a beating in the papers, and it hurt his
year. A young guy, it can really get to them."' (MiamiHerald)
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