In just a few more days, the "Florida" Marlins will be no more. Jeffrey Loria, David Samson, and the rest of the ownership of the Marlins will switch to a new era beginning in 2012: the era of the "Miami" Marlins. But what will become of the "Florida" aspect of the team? As most Marlins fans are likely aware of, the team actually has a rich and vibrant history from which to draw, and that history will feel a bit swept under the rug when the "Florida" in the team's name disappears.
As appreciators of history here at Fish Stripes, we will not be allowing the changeover to the Miami Marlins change how the old Florida Marlins are viewed. Marlins of the past will not fade quietly in these months leading up to the 2012 season. Not only will Ted Hill cover a good amount of history about the team that will allow Fish Stripes readers to continue to appreciate the past, but the crew at Fish Stripes wants to put together a final symbolic award to the players that have donned the "F" on their caps at some point. To that end, we introduce to you readers the Fish Stripes All-Time Florida Marlins Team!
Oh no, the team has not yet been decided. Rather, all of you will get to join the crew and I in inducting players to the team's all-time pantheon. That's right, you Fish Stripes readers will play an equivalent role in determining who we honor as the all-time Florida Marlins. Here's how.
The RulesStarting tomorrow and every Tuesday until the team is assembled, you readers will get a chance to vote between the various candidates presented for the best at each of the following positions:
Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Third Base, Shortstop, Center Field, Corner Outfield (two players selected), Starting Pitcher (five players selected), Reliever (three players selected)
How will those candidates be determined? The Fish Stripes crew, including myself, will vote prior to the public voting for their three top players. Any players mentioned in those ballots (up to a currently-undetermined limit) will be featured in an article for their position every Tuesday. Those players will be available for voting from Tuesday until Thursday evening. The fans will perform the final vote on these players.
Position players who place first, second, or third in any of the three ballots (mine, the crew's, or the reader's) will receive five, four, or three points respectively. The points will be totaled together, and the player with the most points will be the blog's selection for the all-time Florida Marlin at that position. Pitchers will be handled in a similar fashion that has yet to be determined.
The voting begins tomorrow with the catcher position. The crew's and my votes have already been tallied, so it will be up to the Fish Stripes readers to decide who will be the first member inducted into the Fish Stripes All-Time Florida Marlins Team. Stay tuned tomorrow morning to read about the candidates and vote!