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!!!

1998 HEADLINE: Blockbuster Trade Sends Mike Piazza To The Florida Marlins!!!

1998 HEADLINE: Blockbuster Trade Sends Mike Piazza To The Florida Marlins!!!

In 1998, the term ‘fire-sale’ and the Florida Marlins were linked like peanut butter and jelly. Coming off of a World Series championship the prior season, the Marlins management team was dumping all of the players and salaries that took them to the pinnacle just a few months prior.

And on this day in 1998, the Marlins made a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mike Piazza was traded by the Dodgers with Todd Ziele for Manuel Barrios, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenriech, Charles Johnson, and Gary Sheffield.

Piazza’s stay in Miami was short-lived as he was dealt just 8 days later to the New York Mets.

Piazza’s time as a Marlins’ player included 5 games in which he tallied 5 hits and 5 RBI in 18 at-bats.

Happy Birthday Bobby Bonilla!!!

Happy Birthday Bobby Bonilla!!!

Bobby Bonilla turns 50 years old today.

One of my favorite Marlins from the 1997 championship team, ‘Bobby Bo’ was a fan-friendly, and very funny member of the team.  I remember Bobby coming into the local sporting goods store that I was working at years ago.  It was 1997, but it was very early in the season before any of us thought that we had a chance to win the title.  He joked and kidded with several of us, and was genuinely a nice guy.  He signed a few autographs and had a few conversations with us prior to leaving.

It was a thrill for all of us to meet ‘Bobby Bo’ on that day 17 years ago, so today I want to again say ‘THANKS!!!!’ to the man that helped the Florida Marlins win the World Series in 1997 and helped make a few fans extra happy on that day when he stopped by and hung out for a few minutes!!!

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – Sports Illustrated 1997 Florida Marlins World Series Celebration

Baseball Card Show Purchase #8 – Sports Illustrated 1997 Florida Marlins World Series Celebration

I’ve been wanting to add a few more Marlins commemorative pieces to my collection.  Maybe a few inaugural pieces for both the 1993 and 2012 teams would be fun to go after.  And certainly stuff from the 1997 and 2003 World Series championships would be a blast as well.

Well, a dealer that I have never bought from before had a stack of magazines on his table, and they all appeared to be in pretty solid condition.

Thankfully, the top of the stack featured the November 1, 1997 issue of Sports Illustrated that celebrates the Marlins winning the World Series in walk-off style against the Indians in extra innings of Game 7.

And the issue was mint!!!

 

There was no way that I was not going to bring this home.  I have so many memories of this series, and this team is easily one of my favorites of all-time.

More than 15 years after the event, I still vividly recall this game and exactly where I was and who I was with while watching it all unfold.

A perfect collectible for my collection and a great way to end the card show!!!

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!!!

1998 HEADLINE: Blockbuster Trade Sends Mike Piazza To The Florida Marlins!!!

1998 HEADLINE: Blockbuster Trade Sends Mike Piazza To The Florida Marlins!!!

In 1998, the term ‘fire-sale’ and the Florida Marlins were linked like peanut butter and jelly. Coming off of a World Series championship the prior season, the Marlins management team was dumping all of the players and salaries that took them to the pinnacle just a few months prior.

And on this day in 1998, the Marlins made a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mike Piazza was traded by the Dodgers with Todd Ziele for Manuel Barrios, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenriech, Charles Johnson, and Gary Sheffield.

Piazza’s stay in Miami was short-lived as he was dealt just 8 days later to the New York Mets.

Piazza’s time as a Marlins’ player included 5 games in which he tallied 5 hits and 5 RBI in 18 at-bats.

Happy Birthday Bobby Bonilla!!!

Happy Birthday Bobby Bonilla!!!

Bobby Bonilla turns 49 years old today.

One of my favorite Marlins from the 1997 championship team, ‘Bobby Bo’ was a fan-friendly, and very funny member of the team.  I remember Bobby coming into the local sporting goods store that I was working at years ago.  It was 1997, but it was very early in the season before any of us thought that we had a chance to win the title.  He joked and kidded with several of us, and was genuinely a nice guy.  He signed a few autographs and had a few conversations with us prior to leaving.

It was a thrill for all of us to meet ‘Bobby Bo’ on that day 16 years ago, so today I want to again say ‘THANKS!!!!’ to the man that helped the Florida Marlins win the World Series in 1997 and helped make a few fans extra happy on that day when he stopped by and hung out for a few minutes!!! 

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!!!

TTM SUCCESS – Bobby Bonilla Signed Baseball!!! YES!!!

TTM SUCCESS – Bobby Bonilla Signed Baseball!!!  YES!!!

I thought this one was a goner…  So you have to imagine that I was very, very happy when I saw a familiar bubble mailer in my mailbox when I got home from work this evening.

And while I have about 3-4 baseballs in the mail right now in hopes of adding a few more signed balls to my collection, I had no idea which one was returned to me until I ripped it open.

I am happy the ball is from Bonilla.  I am trying to bulk up on my Marlins signed balls, and Bonilla was on the 1997 World Series team – one of my favorite teams of all-time!!

Have a look:

Bobby Bo has always been a solid signer TTM.  I have a few cards in my collection that he signed for me a few years back.  And all of those cards were signed pretty quickly too – we’re talking less than two weeks!

I got worried that I was not going to get this one back.  But now, 2+ months later, I can be at ease – the ball is home, and in my collection.

And it is signed beautifully!!!

Thank you Mr. Bonilla!

Edgar Renteria 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes

Edgar Renteria 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes

Yes, yet another ‘shout-out’ to one of my favorite sets from the 2000’s.

And while I have yet to declare my desire to scoop up the entire set of cards from this 2002 Upper Deck World Series Heroes set, I am not at all interested in halting my desire to grab a few more either…

My most recent haul from this issue brought me a lot of cards of the guys that I vividly recall doing great things in the World Series.

Guys like Gary Carter.  And Livan Hernandez.  And Kirby Puckett as well.

And my latest addition?  Edgar Renteria!!!

Here is the card:

How sweet is that, huh??

Many recall Edgar’s more recent World Series success as he led the Giants to the 2010 title.  But for this fan and collector, Edgar Renteria is a Marlin.  And his hit in the 11th inning of Game 7 of the 1997 World Series is a baseball memory I will never forget!!!

Thanks for the memories Edgar!!!