Though the Marlins’ organization is still young compared to its Major League counterparts, some of baseball’s most iconic moments over the past few decades are thanks to the team from South Florida.
I’m certainly not the first person to compile the best plays in Marlins history. For my list, I took into account everything from record-breaking achievements to historical and emotional significance.
Here are my Top 10 moments in Marlins history:
10. Miguel Cabrera’s walk-off homer in his MLB debut (June 20, 2003)
Cabrera opened what is almost guaranteed to be a first-ballot Hall of Fame career in memorable fashion. After going hitless in his first four at-bats, the 20-year-old -- who skipped the Triple-A level -- crushed Tampa Bay righty Al Levine's pitch over the center-field wall for a two-run walk-off homer in the 11th inning. Cabrera became just the second Major Leaguer to hit a walk-off homer in extras for his first hit, joining Billy Parker (Sept. 9, 1971).
9. Henderson Alvarez’s walk-off no-hitter (Sept. 29, 2013)
The Marlins have six no-hitters in franchise history, but one stands out in particular for its uniqueness. After striking out Matt Tuiasosopo to complete nine hitless innings, Alvarez raised his arms in celebration before realizing the game was still scoreless. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom half of the frame, Alvarez stood in the on-deck circle waiting to celebrate or prepare for the 10th. The first pitch to Greg Dobbs got away, scoring Giancarlo Stanton for the walk-off win to close out the season. It marked just the fourth no-hitter to be clinched in walk-off fashion.
8. Ichiro Suzuki’s 3,000th hit (Aug. 7, 2016)
Only 33 players have accumulated 3,000 hits in the Major Leagues, and Hall of Famer Ichiro accomplished the feat while wearing a Marlins uniform. Ichiro, who served as a fourth outfielder for the Marlins from 2015-17, tallied 236 of his 3,089 hits with Miami. Rather than slap a 2-0 pitch from Rockies left-hander Chris Rusin, Ichiro nearly homered for the milestone knock. Instead, he settled for a triple that caromed off the right-field wall at Coors Field before on-field celebrations ensued.
7. Alex Gonzalez’s walk-off homer World Series Game 4 (Oct. 22, 2003)
The same game that saw rookie Cabrera take veteran Roger Clemens deep to right field after being brushed back by a pitch ended in the 12th when defense-first shortstop Gonzalez pulled Yankees right-hander Jeff Weaver's full-count pitch just over the left-field wall for a leadoff homer. Gonzalez, who hit eighth in the lineup in front of the pitcher's spot, had been 1-for-13 in the World Series entering that at-bat. Gonzalez's lone career postseason homer evened the series at two games apiece, as the Marlins went on to win the next two in the Bronx to clinch the championship.
6. Jeff Conine’s game-ending assist in NL Division Series Game 4 (Oct. 4, 2003)
Walk-offs don't just come via hitting. With the Marlins nursing a 7-6 lead with two runners on and two outs in the ninth, Conine fielded a flare into left and fired a one-hopper to the plate, where Hall of Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez braced for impact. J.T. Snow barreled into Rodriguez, who tagged him. In case there was any question as to whether Rodriguez held onto the ball, he lifted it with his right hand as midseason acquisition Ugueth Urbina hugged him. The Marlins advanced to the NL Championship Series on the play.
5. Steve Bartman’s twist of fate (Oct. 14, 2003)
Trailing 3-0 with a runner on second and five outs remaining in their season, the Marlins needed a spark. It came in the form of Cubs fan Steve Bartman, who deflected Luis Castillo's foul ball into the left-field seats out of Moises Alou's reach. Castillo reached on a walk and the Marlins went on to score eight runs in the eighth inning to force a Game 7 in the NLCS. Bartman received death threats, the Cubs' Billy Goat Curse lasted for another 12 years and the Marlins advanced to their second World Series.
4. Dee Strange-Gordon’s improbable home run (Sept. 26, 2016)
With the entire team wearing Jose Fernández's No. 16 jersey in the first game after his death, Strange-Gordon led off by wearing Fernández's batting helmet and imitating his right-handed stance for a pitch. Strange-Gordon then deposited Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon's next offering into the second deck in right field for his only long ball of the season. An emotional Strange-Gordon broke down into tears after crossing home plate and was consoled by the Marlins in the dugout in an eventual 7-3 victory.
3. First game for an MLB club in Florida (April 5, 1993)
The birth of a franchise, in particular the first Major League team in Florida, is a big deal. The Marlins sent out 45-year-old Charlie Hough to the mound for their inaugural game. The Hialeah High alumnus threw a first-pitch knuckleball for a strike in a six-inning outing. In a 6-3 win over the Dodgers in front of 42,334, Joe DiMaggio threw out the first pitch, Conine (Mr. Marlin) went 4-for-4 with the first steal, Bret Barberie recorded the first hit and Walt Weiss drove in the first runs.
2. Josh Beckett’s World Series complete game (Oct. 23, 2003)
In a modern day David and Goliath matchup, Beckett easily fielded Jorge Posada's slow roller and tagged him for the final out of Game 6 to complete the shutout and silence the original Yankee Stadium crowd. Beckett, who was working on three days' rest, is the last pitcher to record a shutout in a World Series clincher since 1991. The Marlins also became just the second expansion franchise to win two World Series titles with the upset.
1. World Series Game 7 walk-off (Oct. 26, 1997)
Only three World Series have gone to a Game 7 and been decided via walk-off fashion in extras, and the Marlins were involved in one of them. With the bases loaded and two outs in the 11th, Edgar Renteria's line drive glanced off Cleveland pitcher Charles Nagy's glove and into center field for the winning hit. Rookie Craig Counsell leapt into the air after touching home plate to the roar of 67,204 fans. Thanks to Renteria's heroics, the Marlins became the first Wild Card team to win the Fall Classic, and the quickest expansion club to capture the title until the 2001 D-backs.