Happy Birthday Giancarlo Stanton!!

Happy Birthday Giancarlo Stanton!!

Giancarlo Stanton turns 25 years old today.

In a very short amount of time, Giancarlo Stanton has become the centerpiece of the Miami Marlins run production squad.  Batting anywhere from 3-5 in the batting order, Stanton has been the team’s main source of home run and RBI production.

While some may label Stanton as a ‘Slugger’ due to his ability to hit the ball 500+ feet, he has also shown the ability to learn while at the plate and use what he is learning to become a more patient and skilled hitter.  In 2011, Stanton hit .262 in 150 games.  In 2012, he hit .290 in 123 games.  And in a down year in 2013, he hit .249.  He rebounded in 2014 with his best offensive season to date going .288/37/105 in his most consistent year.

The sport took notice of Stanton’s all-around game in 2014.  And I cannot wait to see what he does as a follow-up in 2015.

Happy Birthday Giancarlo.  Keep doing what you’re doing!!

1997 HEADLINE: Renteria’s 11th Inning Hit Clinches The World Series For The Florida Marlins!!!

1997 HEADLINE: Renteria’s 11th Inning Hit Clinches The World Series For The Florida Marlins!!!

On this day in 1997 Edgar Rentaria’s single in the bottom of the 11th inning in Game 7 of the World Series was the game winning hit that delivered the Florida Marlins their first ever World Series title!!!

Another boyhood dream was realized when under the ultimate amount of pressure Edgar shined and both he, the team, and the fans of the Florida Marlins reaped the benefits.

I was at Game 1 of this World Series and the atmosphere was incredible.  I could only imagine how much more intense it was on this night when the championship was finally won.

Happy Anniversary Edgar!!!

1996 HEADLINE: Andre Dawson’s Final Major League Game Of His 21-Season Career

1996 HEADLINE: Andre Dawson’s Final Major League Game Of His 21-Season Career

On this day in 1996, Andre Dawson played in his final major league game capping a 21-season career.

Dawson and his Marlins teammates were on the road in Houston taking on the Astros.  Regulated to a bench role in his final season, Dawson did not make start in the game, but he did make an appearance as a pinch hitter.

Dawson did not get a hit, he popped out in foul territory to record the final out of his major league career.

The Marlins lost the game 5-4 and Andre Dawson’s career was over.  Dawson was one of the most well-rounded players from his generation – a guy that displayed all of baseball’s ‘5 Tools’ en route to being a Rookie of the Year Award winner, an MVP, an 8-time All-Star, an 8-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a 7-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

Congratulations on a fantastic major league career Andre.  And ‘THANK YOU’ so much for the amazing memories!!!

1996 HEADLINE: Andre Dawson Captures The Final Hit & Final RBI Of His Major League Career

1996 HEADLINE: Andre Dawson Captures The Final Hit & Final RBI Of His Major League Career

On this day in 1996, Andre Dawson connected for the final hit and drove in the last RBI of his major league career.

At home and hosting their divisional rivals, the Atlanta Braves, the Florida Marlins were looking to eclipse the .500 mark by the end of the 1996 baseball season.  With just 4 games to go, and a record of 79-80, the Marlins were hosting the leaders of the NL East, the Braves.

In front of a home crowd of more than 25,000 fans, Andre Dawson put on one last ‘show’ for the home team and the baseball world.

‘Hawk’ went 3-for-4 in the game driving in one run and scoring two times.  All three hits were singles, with them all coming off of Braves’ hurler, Denny Neagle.   The final player to score courtesy of an Andre Dawson RBI was Edgar Renteria who scored on a Dawson single in the bottom of the first inning.

The Marlins won the game 7-0.

Happy Anniversary Andre!!!

While Sorting & Organizing, I Found Some Pretty Neat Miguel Cabrera & Gary Sheffield Cards In My Marlins Box!

While Sorting & Organizing, I Found Some Pretty Neat Miguel Cabrera & Gary Sheffield Cards In My Marlins Box!

Last weekend I spent my evenings going through all of my cards.  I really dug in deep as I felt that my organized ways were starting to fray.

The end result is that my need for two more 3-row boxes would allow me to keep my cards in perfect order, so I went to the local card shop and picked up the boxes so I could complete my task.

One of the last tasks I did was sift through all of my Marlins cards.  I was not doing this with a certain goal or purpose, but I wanted to just get a better feel of what was in there.

And lo and behold, I found a handful of pretty nice-looking Miguel Cabrera cards.

Check them out:

I know it is just 8 cards, but I’d rather have 8 cards of the 2-time MVP than have no cards of him from his time with the Marlins…

I also found a healthy dose of Gary Sheffield cards from his days with the team too.

Here they are:

Super cool stuff right there!

And while I do not have the desire at this time to focus a lot more attention to either of these players, I will keep my eyes peeled for cards of either of them in Marlins uniforms when I dig into the bargain bins at future card shows.

For now, I will sit back and enjoy a few more memories of these two great players and their times wearing Teal & Black!

Have a nice night.

Happy Birthday Jose Fernandez!

Happy Birthday Jose Fernandez!

The Miami Marlins phenom turns 22-years old today.

He stormed into the league early in the 2013 baseball season and he quickly became a name getting national attention.  Jose Fernandez has the ‘IT’ factor.

During his rookie campaign, Fernandez made 28 starts, going 12-6 with a 2.19 ERA.  In 172 innings of work, Jose stuck out 187 batters while walking just 58.  He averaged 9.7 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched and also had a WHIP of .979.

Best of all, the city of Miami embraced him.  Surely part was due to his Cuban heritage.  But, he also displays an obvious love for the game as the smile he sports both on the mound and in the dugout were captured quite often on television.  Often the first player out of the dugout to celebrate wins and start walk-off celebrations, Fernandez’s joy of the sport spread through the team’s clubhouse as the Marlins had some of the most exciting end-of-game celebrations led by #16.

As he prepares to battle back from Tommy John surgery so he can reclaim his spot as the team’s ‘Ace’ during the 2015 baseball season, ’30-YOC’ wants to wish Jose Fernandez a speedy recovery and of course, a Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Charles Johnson!!!

Happy Birthday Charles Johnson!!!

Charles Johnson turns 43 years old today.

Charles Johnson means a lot to Florida Marlins fans, and the people of Miami.

Johnson is a local product, having played his college baseball at the University of Miami. He was drafted by the Marlins during the first round of the 1992 draft. And a few years later, he was the starting catcher for the team – his team.

Johnson played in the big leagues for 12 seasons; 7 of which were in Miami. He helped lead the team to the 1997 World Series with his stellar defense. In total, Johnson collected four Gold Glove Awards for his defensive excellence at catcher.

Johnson is a 2-time All-Star and collected 940 hits during his career including 211 doubles and 167 home runs.

Happy Birthday CJ!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #7 – Awesome Lot Of Sweet Florida Marlins Vintage Memorabilia

Baseball Card Show Purchase #7 – Awesome Lot Of Sweet Florida Marlins Vintage Memorabilia

A new dealer at the show had a lot of large buckets of ‘stuff’ on one of his many tables.  He had a lot of stuff, and it was all very unorganized.  When I walked by and started peering into the buckets with really digging in, he told me that I could have ‘Any 3 items for $1.00’.  That got me to stop and look.  And I am glad that I did.

While pretty sloppy and unorganized, he did have a ‘Marlins bin’ so that is where I spent my time.

I pulled a total of nine items.  All vintage stuff from the original ‘Florida’ team.  And all neat additions to my Marlins collection.

First, I nabbed an inaugural team button and team pocket schedule.

Then, I pulled some stuff from the 1997 World Series – two mini pennants and a large souvenir button.

Lastly, I grabbed some player commemorative pins that were game-day giveaways during the early years of the team.

I was able to grab pins of Andre Dawson, Edgar Renteria, Livan Hernandez, and a special #715 pin of Hank Aaron.

I have to say that off all of my pick-ups at the card show, these Marlins treats are by far my favorite.  The vintage look and the conjured up memories take me right back to those days – and I love it!

For me, this was the best $3.00 purchase I made at the show.  I’ll definitely have to stop by this dealer’s table the next time I go to a show.

Happy Birthday Jeff Conine!!!

Happy Birthday Jeff Conine!!!

Jeff Conine turns 48 years old today.

Jeff Conine has been affectionately given the tag of ‘Mr. Marlin’ by the team’s fans. A testament to his playing days in South Florida, Conine’s performance and winning ways as a member of the Florida Marlins has solidified him as their most decorated player and one of it’s favorites.

A member of both World Series championship teams in 1997 and 2003, Conine was a key cog in the Marlins franchise for 8 seasons. Today, Conine holds a position as an instructor with the team and also does some television work for the local channel that covers ‘The Fish’.

For his birthday, I think it would be fitting to give Mr. Marlin the honor of the first retired jersey in franchise history. I know that these types of honors are normally held for players of a Hall of Fame type caliber, but Conine is certainly the most accomplished Florida Marlins player(so far)!!!

Happy Birthday Mr. Marlin!!!

1997 HEADLINE: Kevin Brown Fires No-Hitter For The Marlins!!

1997 HEADLINE: Kevin Brown Fires No-Hitter For The Marlins!!

On this day in 1997, Florida Marlins starting pitcher Kevin Brown threw a no-hitter!

On the road in San Francisco to take on the Giants, Brown and his teammates suited up to play in front of a small crowd of just over 10,000 spectators. But for those in attendance that stayed throughout the duration of the ballgame, history was witnessed.

In a battle of a 1st place team(the Giants) and a 2nd place team(the Marlins), it was 1 player that dominated the action from start to finish.

Throughout the night, Brown was amazing. He needed just 98 pitches to complete the game, allowing no hits in the process. Brown struck out 7 batters on the night while pitching almost flawlessly. He walked nobody, and faced just 28 batters.

The Marlins gave Brown all of the offensive support that he needed to remain confident on the hill. Tallying 9 runs, Edgar Renteria, Charles Johnson, and Moises Alou provided the firepower enabling Brown to remain calm during the course of the game.

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary Mr. Brown!!!

I have watched parts of a handful of no-hitters on television. This is the first one that I can recall watching the entire game.