It's the weekend, but the favorite player contest continues anyway. We'll see how this goes. If there isn't much activity, this entry will remani "active" throughout the weekend. But if there are votes, we'll have another set of matchups posted tomorrow.
If you're just joining us, check out the entry from Day One, which gives something of an overview for the whole process.
Yesterday's Results
Teal (93-96) Bracket: Alex Arias advances
97 World Champs Bracket: Craig Counsell advances
Ugly Years (98-02) Bracket: Matt Mantei advances
03 World Champs Bracket: Dontrelle Willis advances
Today's Matchups
Teal Bracket
#3 - Orestes Destrade - Maybe it's just me, but I can't think of the 1993 Marlins without thinking of Destrade. Orestes debuted with the Yankees at the age of 25 in 1987; he managed 19 total at bats. In 1988 he got 47 more with the Pirates. Then he disappeared from the Majors - until 1993. When the Marlins came into existence, Destrade came back to the Majors. He hit 20 homers and drove in 87 runs in that inaugural year.
#14 Pat Rapp - Rapp was a Marlins regular from 1993 through 1997 - well, really just 1994 through 1996. He had a nice Major League career, but it wasn't as distinguished as many of his contemporaries. He was 5th in the league in wins in 1995.
1997 World Champions
#7 Robb Nen - I still don't understand how someone with the given name of "Robert" becomes "Robb" but I've accepted it. 1997 wasn't Nen's best year (his 3.89 ERA was nearly double 1996's 1.95) but he still saved 35 games and appeared in a total of 65. He also totaled 4 saves in the post-season, but his 7.71 ERA in the World Series was not as impressive as his perfect 0.00 ERA in the LDS and LCS.
#10 Devon White - White always played great defense. His 1997 season was limited due to injuries, but he was still able to participate - although he didn't put up any great numbers - in the post-season.
Ugly Years
#7 Kevin Millar - Millar's most significant impact on the game may be his introduction of naked batting practice. I've never seen it (and I don't want to) but it sounds interesting (or maybe just odd). Millar can also hit. Actually, it's about all he can do (at least as a Major Leaguer). His 2001 line of .314/.374/.557 was pretty sweet.
#10 Mark Kotsay - Kotsay debuted in 1997, but didn't become a regular until 1998. Kotsay has always been better known for his defense and his arm than for his power and ability to hit for average - although he did hit for a reasonable average as a Fish.
2003 World Champions
#7 Derrek Lee - By 2003, Lee was a Marlin veteran and a team leader. He was also only 27. Lee put up his best year (up to that point) in 2003 with 31 homers, 92 RBI, 21 steals, and a line of .271/.379/.508. The 50 Cent anthem that played prior to his JRS at bats still rings in my head whenever I see Lee bat.
#10 Miguel Cabrera - Cabrera did not debut in the Majors until June 20th, but he came on with a bang - literally: Cabrera homered in his first Major League debut, which earned a win for the Marlins. Cabrera didn't stop there - he went on to hit twelve homers and drive in sixty-two runs in just over 62 at bats. His most memorable moment likely came in the World Series: Roger Clemens tried to brush him back with a high and tight pitch. Later in the at bat, Cabrera homered. Oh yeah, and he was 20.
Voting
Use the links below to vote for your favorites in today's matchups. Even if you weren't a fan of the team in 1993 or 1997, you can still vote for someone in each pairing. Also, please feel free to spread the word and to encourage others to vote.
Who is your favorite Marlin?
Teal (93 - 96) Bracket: Destrade vs. Rapp
1997 World Champs Bracket: Nen vs. White
Ugly Years (98 - 02) Bracket: Millar vs. Kotsay
2003 World Champs Bracket: Lee vs. Cabrera (featured matchup - main poll)
Special Note
If you'd like to write the brief description for a particular player (or players), send me an email or create a diary with your text. I'll be happy to use it.
Thoughts/Discussion
Feel free to use this thread to discuss who you voted for, who you think others should vote for, etc. Or, if you'd prefer, you can create a separate diary too. You can also feel free to include any objections/suggestions/criticsm in the comments.