Top 10

So as 2012 comes to an end, we think of this past season for the Miami Marlins as a complete failure. Well Yea! I’m of the thought that if you don’t win the last game of the season it’s a failure (thank you Billie Bean). Still, I can look back and see some of the positive things that came from 2012 Miami Marlins. So today I’m going to share my Top 10 Miami Marlins Moments of 2012. Yes, I understand many people won’t agree with them, this is just my opinion. If you have a different opinion please let me know by Twitter @latinoloco4rwf, or leave a comment.

10. Not signing Albert Pujols

1. I know “How can you say not signing Albert is a top moment for the Marlins?” 2. He signed in 2011 with the Angels. Two very good points, but I’m going to use my hindsight machine and look at this from today’s perspective. We come to find out that one of the reasons that he did not sign with the Marlins is because they didn’t offer him a No-Trade Clause. So let’s go with the theory that Miami did give him a No-Trade Clause, Pujols did come to Miami, and everything still happened this year how it happened. Look how mad Giancarlo got when all the trades went down. How happy do you think Albert would be to be on a 70 win team looking into 2013 without a certainty of a starting lineup? Now we have a mad $250 million dollar player on our team. Not something to look forward to in 2013.

9. Justin Ruggiano

Justin had a good year in 2012 – .313/.374/.535, 13 HRs and 36 RBIs in only 91 games; but that is not the reason he is on this list. “Uh, by the way, #Marlins also need a CFer. Would love to trade for #Angels’ Bourjos (unlikely), or maybe sign FA like McLouth.” – Ken Rosenthal “@Ken_Rosenthal no we don’t. I got this.” – Justin Ruggiano. That’s Awesome! That day Miami was the talk of baseball again, this time in a good way. Twitter, ESPN, MLB Network, and Fox Sport could not stop talking about Justin. Do I think we need a “CFer”? Who cares what I think, Justin gots this.

8. 2,219,444

So what is so important about that number? That is how many people “went” to the first season of the Miami Marlins. I quote went because I think the number might be just people who bought tickets, but who cares. This past year was one of the biggest attendance numbers in Marlins’ history. Let’s compare: in 2003 only 1,303,214 people came to the games during the season, in 1997 2,364,387 people came to the games. This is in Joe Robbie Stadium, a stadium that can hold up to 80,000 people and are two championship years. For a losing season, 2,219,444 is a great number. Might not be like that next year, but what a way to start a franchise.

7. “The Franchise”

Like my segway? I love this show. When I heard they chose to follow the Marlins I set my DVR up to record everything. I finally got to see my team in the mainstream media on a weekly bases. I got to see LOMO meet his boyhood hero and hear him talk about his father, I got to see Samson almost die, I got to witness the inside workings during the Fidel moment, and if history repeats its self the Marlins will win The World Series in 2013 just like the Giants did in 2012.

6.  The month of May

What a great month for the Marlins. This team set a franchise record of 21 wins for a single month, showing great hope to what the season could become. They also swept the Nationals the final weekend of May. It gave us hope that the Marlins were finally coming into their own as a team. Not so much in the end, right?

5. Juan Pierre and Mike Redmond

I’m a very nostalgic person (if the Marlins sign Carl Pavano and Liván Hernández this off season I would be so happy). Is signing Juan Pierre and Mike Redmond a PR stunt by the Marlins? Most likely, but I remember 2003. This was my first year away from home; I was living on my own in a new city, no friends, no job, bills to pay, and school was a pain, but I still had the Marlins. Two of those Marlins were Mike Redmond and Juan Pierre. I was happy when they both resigned with the Marlins. Are they going to last as a Marlin? Only time will tell, but for now I’m glad their back.

4. Mark Buerhle’s Gold Glove

I miss Mark already, and as a Marlin he won his 4th gold glove. This gave a bright side to an awful season. Mark was a bright side to a mediocre pitching rotation that was under performing and was hurt by injuries and trades. To see at the end of the season Mark’s name on the Gold Glove list showed that the Marlins did something right this season. Then they followed it up by trading him. *face palm*

3. Giancarlo Stanton

Oh come on did you think I would not put him on the list? Giancarlo only played in 123 games this season and still hit 37 HRs and was .290/.361/.608. He hit a HR for every 12.1 at bats. So what if he played 150 game averaging 3.5 AB per game? He would add an extra 8 HR which would give him a total of 45 for the season. This would give him more HRs than the AL MVP. If Stanton can stay healthy for 2013, I think with the help on Tino Martinez he could possibly be the first NL batter to hit 50 HRs since 2006. Maybe even 60.

August 24, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2. Adam Greenberg

What a story this is. On July 9, 2005 Adam came up to bat against the Marlins’ Valerio Lorenzo de los Santos when he was struck in the back of the head by a pitch, giving him a mild concussion. The symptoms of the concussion lingered with him and affected his play on the field. That at bat where he got hit in the head was his only AB in the Majors. That is, until October 2, 2012. The Marlins gave Adam “One At Bat”. Adam led off the bottom of the 6th and the crowd went wild. He struck out, but Adam got his dream “One At Bat”. Showing us anything is possible if you work and want it hard enough.

Oct. 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins outfielder Adam Greenberg (10) watches his first pitch in the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

1. April 4, 2012

The first game in Miami Marlins History and the first real game in the New Marlins Park. Not a good way to start of the season, but what a time it was to be a Marlin. Tickets for that game sold on Stub Hub for $90 for the cheapest. We were the talk of baseball again, and in a good way. There were 36,601 screaming fans at that opening game. It was a fun time had by all (except for the loss). It showed that Miami could be a baseball town if given a team which makes them excited about baseball again.

April 4, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Baseball fans line up before an opening day game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

So there you have it, MY Top 10 Marlins Moments of 2012. I hope you enjoy. Let me take this time to say that I hope you all enjoyed your Holiday Season and may you all be blessed and have a great 2013. Thank you for all the support you have given marlinmaniac.com and this big Marlins fan. I hope to see you all in 2013. Happy Holidays and a Happy New Years.