Zaun Sits but Would Rather Squat

The Florida Marlins are six games into the National League playoffs and backup catcher Gregg Zaun has played exactly one inning, catching at the end of Wednesday’s 7-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

But Zaun is accustomed to watching games from the bench.

The St. Francis High graduate has watched starter Charles Johnson become the first NL catcher to play more than 100 games in a season without committing an error.

Zaun says he was inspired.

“I consider myself a pretty darn good defensive catcher,” he said. “But I’ve learned a lot from [Johnson’s] approach to the defensive game.”

Zaun batted .301 in 143 at-bats this season.

“I’ve always been the kind of person who wants to be in tough situations--3 and 2, two outs, bottom of the ninth,” he said. “I’ve always had dreams.”

His dream now is the World Series. The Marlins’ 5-2 victory on Friday gave them a 2-1 lead in the league championship series.