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With neither Dee Gordon nor Giancarlo Stanton able to represent the Miami Marlins Tuesday night in Cincinnati at the All-Star game, it begs the question, who would make an All-Star team comprised only of former and current Miami Marlins players? The players evaluated for this team are judged solely on their careers as Marlins. Any success outside of a Marlins uniform does not count towards making this team.
Pitching Rotation:
Kevin Brown: While Brown only spent two seasons of his lengthy career with the Marlins, during his time in Florida he was an ace. In two seasons, he won 33 games and posted an ERA under three both seasons, including a 1.89 ERA during his breakout 1996 campaign. Following the 1997 season, Brown was off to San Diego.
Josh Beckett: Who better than Beckett to anchor the Marlins All-Time rotation? Beckett, a young hot shot first overall pick made an immediate impact and impression with the Marlins. While the young flamethrower had a mediocre first few seasons, his final season with the Fish was a breakout campaign. In 2005 Beckett compiled a 15-8 record and posted 3.38 ERA.
Josh Johnson: Believe it or not, Josh Johnson was an ace only five years ago. In 2010, Johnson went 11-6 and posted a career low 2.30 ERA. The 2009 season was solid as well, winning 15 games, posting a 15-5 record and a 3.23 ERA. Unfortunate for Johnson, those two season will be all he can hold onto as poor performance and injuries derailed what looked to be a promising career.
Dontrelle Willis: Dontrelle Willis would be the ace of a staff comprised of the biggest Marlins fan favorites of all-time. "D-Train," known for his high leg kick and charisma, put together plenty of good seasons in South Beach while lighting up Landshark Stadium. He most notably thrived throughout the 2005 season, during which Willis posted a 22-10 record, and a 2.63 ERA in 236.1 Innings pitched. While the lefty struggled after departing Miami, his seasons in Miami were by far his best and his outstanding production makes him worthy of breaking into the Marlins All-Time rotation.
Starting Lineup
Ivan Rodriguez, Catcher: In one of the lists' easiest choicest, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez gets the spot behind the dish. Rodriguez only spent one season in Miami, but that was enough to collect a World Series ring as part of the 2003 Marlins, and put together a stellar offensive season including a .297 batting average, 16 homers and 85 runs batted in. While South Florida was just one stop in Rodriguez's extensive career he made his one season count.
Derrek Lee, First Base: Derrek Lee spent six years in Miami and during that time earned a reputation as a solid player. In four of the six full seasons Lee enjoyed in Miami, he topped 20 home runs and 70 RBIs in each, and never batting below the .270 mark. Lee is the easy choice for the Marlins All-Time First Base spot.
Luis Castillo, Second Base: Coming up in the Marlins organization, Luis Castillo spent the 1996-2005 season with the Marlins. During those nine seasons, Castillo was the driving force of the 2003 World Series team. From 1999-2005, Castillo's lowest batting average was .263. Known as a dynamic base thief, Castillo stole 62 bases during the 2000 season and 48 in 2000.
Hanley Ramirez, Shortstop: Before wearing out his welcome in Florida and eventually being dealt to Los Angeles. During his banner 2009 season, Ramirez batted .342, hit 24 homers, stole 27 bases, and drove in 106 runs. During the 2009 season, Hanley's .342 batting average was good enough to take the batting title. On the bases, Hanley swiped over 50 bags in 2006 and 2007. While at the end of his career Hanley became generally disliked by Marlins fans, you can't ignore what he did in a Florida Marlins uniform.
Miguel Cabrera, Third Base: While Cabrera is best known for his success in Detroit, you can't ignore his work in a Marlins uniform. During his breakout 2006 season, Cabrera hit .339, smashed 26 homers and batted in 114 runs. In four of his five seasons in Miami, Cabrera hit over 25 homers in each and batted in above 100 runs during those years.
Jeff Conine, Left Field: A member of the Marlins "Franchise Four," Conine was solid in each of his first five seasons with the Fish. During the 1995 campaign, Conine topped 100 RBIs driving in 105, the only time in his career he would top the 100 RBI mark. Conine's solid 1995 campaign also included 25 dingers and and a .302 batting average
Juan Pierre, Center Field: No doubt, Juan Pierre is the greatest Marlin Center Fielder of all-time, and one of the organization's greatest. Although he stood only 5'10, he made the most of his size and capitalized on every opportunity proving to be irreplaceable in the Marlins' 2003 World Series victory. During the championship season, Juan Pierre posted a .305 batting average.
Giancarlo Stanton, Right Field: The only current Marlin on the list, Stanton is easily the best Right Fielder to wear a Marlins uniform already. Since bursting onto the scene in 2010, Stanton has been a franchise play for the Marlins and continues to get better every year. Stanton has never hit below 20 home runs in his entire career, and continues to lead the majors in home runs. Stanton hit 37 home runs last year, drove in 105 runs in what looked to be a MVP season until a wild pitch from Mike Fiers ended Stanton's dream season. Even though he was injured, Stanton put up full-season production in just 145 games.
Anyone missing from the list? Comment below who you believe should make the All-Time Miami Marlins All-Star team.