:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66661195/469978862.jpg.0.jpg)
Although he never made the playoffs or played for a team that had a winning record during his time in South Florida, Giancarlo Stanton provided many great memories for Miami Marlins fans.
The only player in franchise history to win National League MVP, Stanton was known for his ability to hit the long ball. On this day five years ago, he surpassed Dan Uggla for the most in franchise history.
Stanton was tied with Uggla with 154 career home runs as the Marlins opened up a four-game set against the New York Mets at Citi Field on April 16, 2015. The contest was just minutes old when Stanton cemented himself atop the club’s all-time home run list.
With Christian Yelich at second base, Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee elected not to pitch around Stanton in the top of the first inning. After working the count full, Stanton went the other way off Gee for a home run to right-center field. The blast gave Miami a 2-0 lead.
Unfortunately for the Marlins, the lead would not hold up as New York won, 7-5.
Martín Prado added a solo home run in the top of the fourth to push the lead to 3-0, but the Mets drew even on Wilmer Flores’ three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth.
Miami added one run apiece in the tops of both the sixth and seventh innings, but New York scored two runs in the bottom half of each of those innings. With the score tied at five in the bottom of the seventh, the Mets went ahead for good on back-to-back RBI singles from Lucas Duda and Michael Cuddyer.
By the time his career with the Marlins was over, Stanton left the yard 267 times, beating Uggla’s franchise record for home runs by 123. In addition to homers, Stanton remains the team’s all-time leader in wins above replacement, slugging percentage, total bases and RBIs. He is also the only Marlin ever to win Home Run Derby (2016).
Among all of Stanton’s accolades, his Marlins HR total is perhaps the best reflection of his extraordinary talent. He’s been standing along atop the franchise list ever since this day five years ago.