Red-hot Marlins keeping ‘lightning rod’ Jazz Chisholm in check

Don Mattingly got his Marlins together for a meeting at just the right time, inspiring perhaps their best game of the year (a 12-2 win Tuesday over the Nationals) and a winning streak. Jazz Chisholm has turned into a star in Miami. But Chisholm turned out to be the subject for criticism in the team meeting, according to sources, as teammates apparently aren’t always as enamored as fans who love the style and sizzle.

Mattingly said he didn’t want anyone talking behind anyone’s back, and perhaps a little up-front honesty worked. Quizzed on what specifically was said to Chisholm, Marlins GM Kim Ng declined to elaborate further: “Reluctant to provide further detail — happy everyone is responding.”

Chisholm went out and hit two home runs that game, and later in an interview on MLB Network said, “I have that tool that’s called, I don’t care. I just go out there and have fun.”

One person, who suggested teammates may be “jealous,” said, “Jazz is like Dennis Rodman. He will always be a lightning rod. But he works and plays hard.”

Ng had a simple explanation for Chisholm’s recent exploits: “He’s good.”