Greatest Moment In Marlins History: #126 In The Park

Welcome back to the Greatest Moments in Marlins History. For moment 126 we take you back to Opening Day 2009. It’s the Marlins vs. the Nationals and we enter the fourth inning one out and a person on third. Emilio Bonifacio is up to bat, but before we get any further let’s talk about how Boni came to the Marlins. On November 11, 2008 Boni was traded to the Marlins from the Nationals for Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham.

August 19, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Marlins center fielder Emilio Bonifacio (1) in the dugout during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

On March 31, 2009 Boni was announced as the starting third baseman for the Marlins. What better team for him to start the season against than the team who traded him. Boni started off the game really well. His first 2 at bats were singles to right field. Then came his at bat in the fourth. With Cameron Maybin on third and 1 out, Boni got the count to 3-2 and that’s when Julian Tavares  tried to sneak one past Boni. It didn’t work out in Tavares favor as Boni crushed that ball to deep center field. Maybin scored and Boni was off to the races.  First base, second base, third base, and finally home! His first home run in his major league career and it’s an in the park home run! This was also the first in the park home run on opening day since 1968, which was done by Carl Yastrzemski.

Welcome to the Marlins, Boni! That day Boni went 4-5 with 2 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. It was a nice off season move getting Bonifacio. Join me next as we continue to countdown to Opening Day. Let’s Go Marlins!