May 18, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins mascot Bill the Marlin performs prior to a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

On May 17, 2013 my wife and I hopped into our car and began our 3 ½ hour drive down to South Florida from Orlando. Why did we do this? Well to catch the 3 game home stand of the Miami Marlins vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks! Now people might be asking themselves why would I drive down to Miami to watch the Marlins when I have the Rays only an hour away… 1. I’m a Marlins fan, 2. I love the city of Miami, 3. I can go visit family (who were in Gainesville visiting my older brother and didn’t tell me), 4. I always have fun at Marlins Park, and 5. I LOVE THE MARLINS! So let’s break down what happened on this trip which made it so much fun.

Aug 17, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Livan Hernandez (61) pitches in the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1

I pulled up to my parents place around 2 pm when my phone rang. On the other side of the line was a Marlins employee, who said that since I bought a Cuban Heritage ticket I won a chance to meet a former Marlin of Cuban descent. I said cool and asked who it was. LIVAN HERNANDEZ!!!! I flipped!! Livan is my all time favorite Marlins player and I finally get a chance to meet him. As soon as we unpacked the car we headed down to Marlins Park. Once I got there I got there I got to meet former Marlins Cuban player Livan Hernandez and current Marlins Cuban player Jose Fernandez. Afterwards we headed into the park where I got the coolest giveaway ever— a Miami Marlins Cuban Heritage café mug. This thing is so cool! When we headed to our seats we saw that our area had a Cuban band, kids from schools all over Miami-Dade County, and fellow Cubans. We lost 9-2, but oh my was the Cuban section loud! The band never stopped and the kids were jumping up and down having a blast. The night finally ended with an amazing fireworks show.

Game 2

The day started with a quick trip to the Swap Shop where I picked up a Marlins Bobble head and a Marlins Lawn Gnome. Then it was off to the park. We stopped by the Marlins store first because every Friday and Saturday there are players signing autographs. While we waited, my wife and I got into a conversation about who is currently the best Marlins player not on the DL. I said to that each player brings something to the club (I know very PC answer), but my wife said Justin Ruggiano. Not 30 seconds later Justin shows up to sign autographs! She had a good laugh at the perfect timing talked about how she thinks he is the best player on the team. Justin disagreed and said it is Miguel Olivo. We continued into the park where we met up with some friends and started watch the game. This was my kind of game. Despite the first pitch being out of the park, from there on out it was a pitching dual. I love those kinds of games! Marlins ended up losing 1-0, but the time I had with my friends and wife during the game, and it being a pitching dual to the very end, was just so much fun.

May 18, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Marcell Ozuna (48) dives to first base safely past Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) as first base umpire Brian O

Game 3

We headed to Davie to pick up some friends before the game. We parked and walked into the park where we got free MLB Network/Marlins draw string bag (you can never have to many Marlins bags). We sat and talked for a good while about the future of the team, what needs to be done to have a winning team again, and more baseball stuff. Then the game started and what a game! Boy was Ricky Nolasco on point today. It was great to see him pitch that well, and to be in the park as it happened was even better. He struck out 11 Diamondbacks. 11! To see Marcell Ozuna crush that double to give us the lead was awesome as well. The crowd was really into this game! The Marlins won 2-1. After the game we headed out to stand by where the players leave. Rob Brantly and Marcell Ozuna stopped and talked to everyone signed everyone’s stuff. They are two very classy young men. We ended our night enjoy a nice dinner talking about the Marlins. The next day we headed back home to Orlando.

So what is the point to all this? These were 3 very different games, and each had it own form of fun. According to everyone, the Marlins aren’t going to do anything this year. Maybe they are right, maybe they are wrong, but they are still our Marlins and it is still such a blast to go watch a game at Marlins park! Win or lose the experience at the game is amazing. The park itself is beautiful, we get to watch baseball, and the people at the games always seem to be in a talkative mood. And to be honest tickets are not that much. The Marlins are always giving away tickets, and stub hub has tickets for as low as $6. So go out and enjoy a night at Marlins Park; win or lose you will have fun.

Number 29 Satchel Paige

While Paige never played for the Florida Marlins, he actually played from 1956 to 1960 on the Triple A team based out of the Orange Bowl called the Miami Marlins. They were affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1956-1958 and the Baltimore Orioles from 1959-1960. From 1956-1957 Paige pitched for the Marlins to help out Bill Veeck’s struggling Minor League team. Over that span Paige had a record of 21-14, 155 S/O, an ERA of 1.86 in 1956, and an ERA of 2.42 in 1957. Nice numbers, but the reason we should retire his number is because on August 7, 1956 57,000 people came to see him play, the biggest crowd in Minor League history. This also proved that baseball can survive in Miami. Now I know he has never played for the MLB Miami Marlins, but that has never stopped the Nationals from retiring numbers of players that have never put on a Nationals jersey.

Number 7 Iván Rodríguez

July 14, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Florida Marlins former catcher Ivan Rodriguez waves a baseball to the crowd as he is honored during a ceremony before a game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Pudge only played for one season, but what a season. Before the season started he said we were going to make the playoffs. His play at the plate against the Giants in the Playoffs, his NLCS performance, and his leadership in the club house all helped his young team win its second World Series. Though the most important thing of all is his love for the fans and the love that we have for him. I went to the last game in Sun Life Stadium against the Nationals and when Pudge came up to bat the crowd started chanting his name. He called for time, stepped out of the batter box, and tipped his hat to the crowd. What class. It doesn’t stop there. After the game the Marlins had a big celebration with former players and current players and videos of the past. Pudge came out wearing a number 7 Marlins Jersey and said a few words to the crowd. What a great player. He might have been a Marlin for only one year but man did he make such a difference.

Number 18 or 19 Jeff Conine

I love Pudge and Satchel, but if anybody is going to have the honor of being the first Marlins player to have his number retired, it’s going to be Mr. Marlin himself Jeff Conine. Jeff might not have the numbers Pudge and Satchel have but when you think of the face of the Marlins Jeff is the person you think of. He was part of the 1993 Marlins, has an All-Star MVP award as a Marlin, was part of the 1997 World Series team, was part of the 2003 World Series team, retired as a Marlin, and was the first to hoist the World Series banners in Marlins Park. He is still with the organization and is a commentator for FSN. You cannot find one Marlins fan who has something bad to say about Mr. Marlin. He has been and will always be the face of this team and he deserves to be the first Marlin to have his number retired.

Now this is just my opinion. There are plenty of other Marlins who should get their numbers retired; such as Charlie Hough, Liván Hernández (when he retires), Jack McKeon, Gary Sheffield, and so much more. By retiring numbers the Marlins will show that they do have history and have had great players on their team. Beside, that new stadium would look good with some great players’ numbers around it.

Sign P Liván Hernández 1 year 750,000

August 27, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Livan Hernandez (61) celebrates a victory with catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Brewers beat the Cubs 15-4. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

It has been stated that Liván wants to continue pitching, so why not bring him back to the team that made him famous? The Marlins don’t have many players they can call their own, but Liván is one of them. This is what the Marlins need to do; they need to call up Liván and come to an understanding with him that after this season he will retire and the Marlins will have a big Retirement tour similar to what the Braves did with Chipper Jones (now I’m not comparing Liván to Chipper just saying what the Marlins could do). Can you imagine Liván Hernández World Series MVP Night, Liván Hernández 15 S/O night, I Love You Miami night, and ending it all with Good Bye Liván Hernández night? This feel good return would drum up some business for the Marlins at a low cost.

Sign P Carl Pavano 1 year 3,000,000

As stated in my “Free Stuff” article, this will be the 10 year anniversary for the 2003 world series team. With Juan and Mike on the team, why not bring back a pitcher who was vital to that team? Carl went undefeated in the ‘03 post seasons, had a 2.35 ERA in the NLCS, and a 1.00 ERA in the World Series. If the Marlins do due something to remember the 2003 World Series, Carl, Mike, Jeff, and Juan would be great in house people to have to remind the fans of our history and to show the club that things will get better.

Sign 1B Jim Thome 2 Years 1,500,000

If you want history, go no further than Jim Thome. Jim is currently at 612 HR for his career. Wouldn’t you like to see a Marlin go for 700, putting him in history with only with 3 other players? Do I think he will get it? Only if he becomes a DH; but think of the spin that the Marlins can pull with this one. Imagine a “Jim Count Down” board in Marlins Park.  It might take a little longer than 2 years (I personally believe it would take at least 4), but when that day comes the Marlins’ name will be in the history books once again. But only if they sign Jim.

Sign OF Johnny Damon 2 Year 3,000,000

July 27, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA: Cleveland Indians left fielder Johnny Damon (33) warms up during batting practice before a game between the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s stay with history. Johnny is at 2769 hits right now. Can you imagine if he hits 3000 in Marlins Orange? With the exemption of last season and 1995, Johnny has played in over 140 games and has over 130 hits each season. No Marlin has ever reached 3000 hits while wearing a fish uniform. The build up to him doing this would be extraordinary. If they also sign Jim, there could be two countdown signs in Marlins Park. The fans will go nuts with excitement because they are going to be part of history. What if HR 700 and Hit 3000 happen the same day? We would be the talk of sports forever.

Alright, time to come back down to Earth. Is any of that a good idea? Besides the “Liván Hernández Farewell,” no. Look, the Marlins are going into a new direction and in the long run, they have to win to get the fans back. Would I like to see all that happen that I just wrote? Of course! The Marlins have a young team and with time will be a power house in MLB. If the Marlins just want to make money, by all means sign those players, milk those accomplishment for all they’re worth, and promote the heck out of them. But if you want a team that will win, you need to come out to the park and support the young talent we have now. Who knows, we could have another 2006 mixed in with a little 2003 on our hands this season.

Without any further ado, here is a look at the chat that Tom and I had last night, regarding this upcoming series:

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• Catcher: Ivan Rodriguez
• First Base: Derrick Lee
• Second Base: Luis Castillo
• Short Stop: Edgar Renteria
• Third Base: Mike Lowell
• Left Field: Miguel Cabrera
• Center Field: Juan Pierre
• Right Field: Gary Sheffield
• Designated Hitter: Jeff Conine

Then two weeks ago, we completed the poll for the first two starters on this team. Here are they as they stand now:

1. Josh Beckett
2. Kevin Brown

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