Happy Birthday Livan Hernandez!!!

Happy Birthday Livan Hernandez!!!

Livan Hernandez turns 39 years old today!!!

Livan was the primary reason that the Florida Marlins won the World Series title in 1997.  If it wasn’t for his amazing pitching in the NLCS and World Series who knows if the Marlins would have been able to prevail.  I can still remember Livan screaming ‘I Love You Miami’ as he put the team on his back on the way to the title.

He had a very solid major league career, and he certainly left his mark on the sport and the Marlins franchise.

In 17 big league seasons, Livan compiled a 178-177 record in 474 starts.  He has a career ERA of 4.44 with 1,976 strikeouts and 1,066 walks.  Livan is a 2-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger Award winner, and a runner-up for the Rookie Of The Year Award.

Happy Birthday to the 1997 World Series MVP!!!

Happy Birthday Livan Hernandez!!!

Happy Birthday Livan Hernandez!!!

Livan Hernandez turns 38 years old today!!!

Livan was the primary reason that the Florida Marlins won the World Series title in 1997.  If it wasn’t for his amazing pitching in the NLCS and World Series who knows if the Marlins would have been able to prevail.  I can still remember Livan screaming ‘I Love You Miami’ as he put the team on his back on the way to the title.

For Livan’s birthday I am going to give him a treat.  This is certainly not something you should give a professional athlete that is tuning up his body for another season, but I want Livan to enjoy himself.  I’m going to get him a $25 gift card to McDonalds.  Silly you say?  NO!!!  Livan loves fast food.  Hell, in the months after winning the World Series in 1997, it was rumored that Livan gained up to 43 pounds from his constant trips to the drive-thru window at McD’s!!!

Livan Hernandez 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes

Livan Hernandez 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes

If you were a baseball fan back in 1997 and you were watching the playoffs, it was hard to escape the effect that Livan Hernandez was having on the sport.

Simply stated, Livan was dominating all comers!!

I have often said that watching Livan Hernandez pitch while living in the South Florida area is the closest thing to ‘Fernando-Mania’ that Dodgers fans experienced in the very early 1980’s.

I picked up this card of Livan from the 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes set.  And it instantly becomes one of my favorites so thus far.

Have a look:

Livan Hernandez Signed Baseball With 1997 World Series MVP Inscription!!!!

Livan Hernandez Signed Baseball With 1997 World Series MVP Inscription!!!!

I have been on a Florida Marlins memorial kick for a little bit now…

Not only am I paying tribute to them by collecting each and every Topps issued team set in franchise history.

But I am also trying to scoop up some pretty neat collectibles too…

Like this signed baseball by Charlie Hough!!

And let’s not forget my sweet Al Leiter No-Hitter collection.

And now I can add another great item to my collection, a signed baseball by 1997 World Series MVP, Livan Hernandez.

The story goes like this – in a matter of hours, Livan was cut by the Astros and signed by the Braves.  The Braves train at Disney World for Spring Training and one of the guys that I am buddies with on one of the autograph collectors sites that I visit frequently got Livan to sign a ball for him.  He later questioned if he wanted it, so I swooped in with an offer that he was happy to accept.

And now, I have another great Marlins piece for my collection!!!!

Thanks for reading!!