Throughout the season, the club will have various events and promotions to honor the '97 season. First of all, an anniversary patch will be on the sleeve of the team uniform.

For the April 6 home opener against the Phillies, two members of that championship team will take part in the ceremonial first pitch. Alex Fernandez will be throwing that pitch to Charles Johnson.

As part of Interleague Play, the Marlins fittingly will be playing their '97 World Series opponent, the Cleveland Indians, at Dolphin Stadium from June 12-14. The June 14 game, which falls on a Thursday, will feature the Marlins wearing throwback uniforms -- a replica teal-striped uniform they sported in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.

I've been a Marlins fan since '93, and I've been with the team through the good and bad. Now my question is: With the 12th pick in the draft, at what position do you think the team should draft? More pitching? I think they should draft a position player.
-- Hector D., Lancaster, Pa.

Since this current ownership took over in 2002, the only year they took a position player in the first round was Jeremy Hermida in that same season. Even in '05, with five first-round picks (two were sandwich picks), all were spent on pitching. This may indeed be the year the club looks in another direction and goes for a position player.

Traditionally, the Marlins take the best available player, and in case of ties, they lean toward pitching. The organization also feels that it can trade pitching more easily to fill other needs. Because the Marlins don't have any sandwich picks, they have a big gap between their first and second choices. Adding a quality bat, especially a left-handed hitter, would certainly boost the depth in the organization. Another area they will look to address in the draft is catching.

I noticed that in a few recent pictures how many of the Marlins players are regrowing goatees and other bits of facial hair. Has Joe Girardi's "clean shave" rule been rescinded this year by manager Fredi Gonzalez?
-- Robert G., Miami

Have a question about the Marlins? E-mail your query to MLB.com Marlins beat reporter Joe Frisaro for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

Yes. Gonzalez is allowing goatees that are neatly trimmed. He isn't allowing anything unruly looking. Girardi had his idea on facial hair -- mainly it is something the Yankees do -- and he brought it here. Gonzalez has his own style, and you can see by the number of players with facial hair now that many prefer that look. It's not that big a deal, in my opinion. It's common for companies to have dress policies, and baseball organizations really are no different. But it is a topic that fans seem to care about.

Jason Wood is a good story. What are the chances that he makes the team?
-- Brian W., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

At 37, Wood is a great example of how people should follow their dreams and not give up on what they love. Right now, it would appear that Aaron Boone and Alfredo Amezaga will be the backup infielders. But you never know. Even if Wood opens the season at Triple-A Albuquerque, he could find himself being called up at any point during the season.

Wood can play all four infield spots, and he seems to have a good grasp on how to come off the bench as a pinch-hitter if he were asked to be used in that role. You can't help but cheer for players such as Wood.

I saw the Marlins sent Reggie Abercrombie down to the Minor Leagues again. What did the team see in Abercrombie again to think we could pin our center-field hopes on him? I saw him play in '06 briefly and he clearly does not have the skills to compete. What are the Marlins' options now, and doesn't it look like we should have gone out and addressed this issue in free agency?
-- James S., Miami

Athletically, Abercrombie is so gifted that the team isn't giving up on him. Abercrombie has this option year, meaning he can be called up and sent down as often as the team feels fit. So if Abercrombie gets those regular at-bats in Triple-A and he shows progress, he could become an asset. If he doesn't, the team can move on after the season.

Right now, Alex Sanchez and Eric Reed are the front-runners. Since they are similar players, the club likely won't keep both. Reed also has an option, so he could be sent to Triple-A as well. Sanchez is now getting his chance to show he belongs. It would have been difficult to fill center field through free agency because of the rising cost of players' salaries. Juan Pierre signed for more than $40 million, which is way out of the Marlins' reach, considering the club is hopeful to someday sign Miguel Cabrera to a long-term deal.

The team feels that it can compete without an elite center fielder, but that means other players have to step up. Florida is continuing to look at long-term options for center, but as of now, it is seeing if either Sanchez or Reed can seize the opportunity.

What is the status of Logan Kensing at this time? Has he started throwing? Is there a timetable for his return?
-- Leighton H., San Antonio, Texas

The earliest return for Kensing would be after the All-Star break, and probably in August. Yes, he is on a throwing schedule. Kensing was tossing off flat ground just the other day, but rebounding from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery takes time. Right now, everything is moving slowly with him. It would definitely be a plus if Kensing can return in the second half. As of now, everything is progressing, but at a cautious pace.