6/1/2008: New Orleans, LA – The Featherheads have been surging as of late, but lost a key component of their success: SS Kevin McNeill, whose wrist fracture will leave him out for nearly a month.

At 27-24, the young Featherheads have been the surprise team of the year in PEBA.  Much of the success can be attributed to the breakouts of 2B Mark Richardson and 1B Tsumemasa Morimoto – who both have slammed twelve round trippers – and a surprisingly effective pitching staff.   Before the season, most Florida fans would have been content to finish out of the cellar in their division.  Now, many quietly express playoff aspirations.

If Florida expects to make the playoffs, however, they are going to have to do it without a key member of their team in McNeill.  Everyone was surprised when Mark Richardson was shifted to 2B to make room for the unknown infielder, but McNeill has made good on the opportunity, sporting a .322 average at the time of his injury.  He was becoming the feel-good story of the year on a team that may receive that label as well.  Now, it may be a while before Kevin McNeill feels good at all.

"You just hate to see something like this happen to a guy like Kevin," said manager Jaime Sánchez.  "My ex-wife – now there's someone you'd like to see something bad happen to.  Nothing major.  Just maybe someone hits her with a rock or something.  I hate her."

Sánchez's ex-wife is reportedly in good condition.  As for the Featherheads, they have called up SS António Toro to fill the void left by McNeill's injury.  Toro saw some time with the major league club last year, where he batted a slim .182 in very limited action.  He is expected to start the bulk of games at SS in McNeill's absence, with backup infielder David Goode (.257 in 136 AB) continuing to fill a bench role.