Greatest Moments in Marlins History: #57 A Florida First

April 4, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins mascot Billy the Marlin prepares to take the field during opening day game between the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to the Greatest Moments in Marlins History. Yesterday we talked about the first hit in Miami Marlins history, but what about the first hit for the Florida Marlins? I won’t ever forget that game. Before Marlins baseball was brought to South Florida, I rooted for whichever team my grandfather rooted for (mostly the Cardinals). When finally baseball came to Florida you knew that I was going to be a die-hard fan. Moment 57 is Bret Barberie getting the first hit in Florida Marlins history.

Picture this if you will, Joe Robbie Stadium filled with 42,000 plus screaming Marlins fans who have been waiting for years to get a team to Miami and they finally have one. For some this was their first ever live baseball game (like myself), others it was a moment that they have waited for ever since they moved to South Florida. It was an electric atmosphere. When Scott Pose came up to the plate, the first Marlins batter ever, we all held our breath waiting for Orel Hershiser’s pitch. Ball one. Then came the second pitch. Scott made contact, but it was foul. We are at the edge of our seats. Actually, who am I kidding?  We were still on our feet from the 1-2-3 top inning from Charlie Hough! Pitch number 3, ball 2. The fourth pitch made contact, was in fair territory, went off the glove of Orel and into the glove of Jody Reed, who threw it to Eric Karros who couldn’t make the catch. The first hit! Nope E4. Up next was Bret.

Bret came up thinking that Scott got the first hit, so he took the first pitch, ball 1. Before the second pitch came up the official scorer changed the hit to E4, but the only people who would know this change would be the ones watching the game on tv or listening to it on their radios; the score board still had recorded as a hit. Without knowing it, Bret would have a chance to be a part of history. Second pitch, outside corner, strike one.  Of course, before the third pitch Orel threw the ball a few times to 1^st. Pitch 4 finally came and with a smack it got passed a diving Jose Offerman. The Florida Marlins had their official first hit!

What an at bat, what a game! Both first hits were pretty impressive, but tomorrow’s first, well, let’s just say it’s a little grand. Join me tomorrow and see what we have in store for you.