The Miami Marlins have had some great big-league players pull on the uniform since the franchise was founded. Mike Piazza, Trevor Hoffman, and more recently, Giancarlo Stanton are just three of the big-name stars to play for the club. Baseball fans can read the Tipico review by Silentbet to learn all about the sportsbook before betting on baseball in 2020.
The Marlins last won the World Series in 2003. Since then, Miami hasn’t had the same success on the field but a number of stars have still played for the Fish. Here is a look at the top 5 Marlins players in franchise history.
5. Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett made a name for himself while playing for the Marlins. The 2003 World Series MVP was one of the reasons the Fish were such a formidable team during the early aughts. Beckett was drafted by the Marlins and came up through the club’s farm system. Although he would have further success with the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, Beckett’s early career brilliance should never be forgotten. He is eighth in all-time wins (41), second in lowest ERA (3.46), and first in strikeouts per nine innings (8.97).
4. Ivan Rodriguez
Ivan Rodriguez would be higher on this list had he played more than just one season in Miami. The catcher signed a one-year, $10 million contract in 2003 and despite a slow start, he caught fire and led the Marlins to their second World Series win. Rodriguez not only produced at the plate, but mentored Beckett and the rest of the pitching staff making it a dangerous corps of hurlers in the playoffs.
3. Moises Alou
Moises Alou’s time in Miami was similarly fleeting like Rodriguez’s season in South Florida. He spent 1997 with the Marlins helping them to their first-ever World Series win. Alou crushed 23 home runs that season to lead the team and knocked in 115 RBI. Alou continued his great play in the World Series hitting three home runs and nine RBI. Alou should have been named World Series MVP but that honor went to Livan Hernandez.
2. Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield arrived from the San Diego Padres midway through the 1993 season in a five-player trade that saw closer Trevor Hoffman go the opposite way. He hit 10 home runs in that first half-season which was enough to earn a new four-year deal making him the highest-paid third baseman in baseball. Sheffield was a home run machine for the Fish hitting 122 home runs during his time in Miami. Sheffield is the Marlins all-time leader in on-base percentage. His hitting is one reason the Marlins won the 1997 World Series against the Cleveland Indians.
1. Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera rose to prominence as a member of the Marlins. He debuted as a 20-year-old midway through the 2003 season and was part of the reason the Marlins made a strong second half of the season run. Cabera was a steady player for his entire time in South Florida. Cabera is fifth all-time in home runs for the Marlins with 138, second in on-base percentage at .388, and sixth in hits with 842.