This is a blog written by Mario Cartaya about the Florida Marlins professional baseball team. South Florida has been home to the Marlins since 1993, and the team has won two World Series in its history (1997, 2003). This blog will be updated regularly to discuss various Marlins topics ranging from last night's game to personnel moves to the new stadium construction. Please feel free to comment on my posts and initiate a discussion. I hope you enjoy my blog!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
2003 Marlins Celebration
This is a very nice video recapping the 2003 Marlins' World Championship celebration.
This is perhaps one of my favorite moments in baseball history. The 2003 Marlins were a scrappy, young team set on proving doubters wrong. What are your favorite memories from this team?
Oh yea, he's definitely one of the greatest Marlins catchers ever, on a very prestigious list that includes Benito Santiago and Charles Johnson. But because he was only a Marlin for one year, does that detract from his Marlins legacy?
For example, Charles Johnson also won a World Series with the Marlins, but played here for many years. Not to mention, he was our first draft pick ever.
The year that he played with the Marlins made him the standard by which all Marlins catchers will always be measured against. Baseball people will always compare Marlins catchers to Pudge's legacy. Will we ever see a Pudge on the Marlins?
I doubt we will see another Pudge-like catcher on the Marlins, or maybe even in baseball history. But I do think that one's duration on a team impacts his legacy. For example, despite how fondly we remember Pudge, he would have been a much bigger figure had he stayed for a few years. Thoughts?
I would have loved for Pudge to be a Marlin for life, but the memories he gave us fans in one year are more than the average catcher gave their fans gave their fans during their entire career. I am thankful for the year he was with us. Don't you agree?
Every fan is thankful for what the Marlins did that year, from Miguel Cabrera to Lenny Harris. Pudge is undoubtedly the player that let everything come together for this team, and for that I will always be thankful. The way he handled the young pitching staff was instrumental for the team's improvement throughout the year and eventual World Series Championship.
What different paths the two rookies (Cabrera and Willis) took. To me they will always be Marlins and be associated with the greatest comeback story the Marlins ever scripted.
Good point. Cabrera is on his way to Cooperstown while Willis is trying to rebuild his career in Arizona. I think all Marlins fans wish Dontrelle nothing but the best, because he's one of the few good guys left in professional sports.
Anonymous mentions the rookies of that Marlin team, but how about the veterans? Harris, Pudge, Lee, Encarnacion, Lowell, Conine, Urbina etc. including their 150 year old manager-McKeon. That was the true leadership that helped the Marlins to become the 2003 kings of baseball.
Lee and Lowell are a bit of a stretch to call veterans. I believe it was their fourth year in the league. Also, Conine and Urbina were both acquired after the trade deadline that year, so their impact was only in the stretch run. This team was carried by Pudge and solid, young pitching to go with a savvy manager. This was a very special team.
This is perhaps one of my favorite moments in baseball history. The 2003 Marlins were a scrappy, young team set on proving doubters wrong. What are your favorite memories from this team?
ReplyDeletePudge's epic play at the plate to tag out J T Snow. In my opinion one of the greatest catchers in Marlins history.
ReplyDeleteOh yea, he's definitely one of the greatest Marlins catchers ever, on a very prestigious list that includes Benito Santiago and Charles Johnson. But because he was only a Marlin for one year, does that detract from his Marlins legacy?
ReplyDeleteFor example, Charles Johnson also won a World Series with the Marlins, but played here for many years. Not to mention, he was our first draft pick ever.
ReplyDeleteThe year that he played with the Marlins made him the standard by which all Marlins catchers will always be measured against. Baseball people will always compare Marlins catchers to Pudge's legacy. Will we ever see a Pudge on the Marlins?
ReplyDeleteI doubt we will see another Pudge-like catcher on the Marlins, or maybe even in baseball history. But I do think that one's duration on a team impacts his legacy. For example, despite how fondly we remember Pudge, he would have been a much bigger figure had he stayed for a few years. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI would have loved for Pudge to be a Marlin for life, but the memories he gave us fans in one year are more than the average catcher gave their fans gave their fans during their entire career. I am thankful for the year he was with us. Don't you agree?
ReplyDeleteEvery fan is thankful for what the Marlins did that year, from Miguel Cabrera to Lenny Harris. Pudge is undoubtedly the player that let everything come together for this team, and for that I will always be thankful. The way he handled the young pitching staff was instrumental for the team's improvement throughout the year and eventual World Series Championship.
ReplyDeleteWhat different paths the two rookies (Cabrera and Willis) took. To me they will always be Marlins and be associated with the greatest comeback story the Marlins ever scripted.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Cabrera is on his way to Cooperstown while Willis is trying to rebuild his career in Arizona. I think all Marlins fans wish Dontrelle nothing but the best, because he's one of the few good guys left in professional sports.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've always really liked Dontrell Willis!! He is such a classy player.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous mentions the rookies of that Marlin team, but how about the veterans? Harris, Pudge, Lee, Encarnacion, Lowell, Conine, Urbina etc. including their 150 year old manager-McKeon. That was the true leadership that helped the Marlins to become the 2003 kings of baseball.
ReplyDeleteLee and Lowell are a bit of a stretch to call veterans. I believe it was their fourth year in the league. Also, Conine and Urbina were both acquired after the trade deadline that year, so their impact was only in the stretch run. This team was carried by Pudge and solid, young pitching to go with a savvy manager. This was a very special team.
ReplyDelete