Miami Marlins career retrospective: Gary Sheffield

Today is Juneteenth and in honor of the holiday, let’s look at the career of an African-American superstar from the history of the Miami Marlins: Gary Sheffield. Sheffield played right field for The Fish (back when we were called the Florida Marlins) from 1993 to 1998 and was a major part of our 1997 World Series winning team. Gary Sheffield is not currently in the Hall of Fame, but his memorable career is a testament to this legendary former Miami Marlin.

Gary Sheffield helped the Miami Marlins win the 1997 World Series.

Gary Sheffield started his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1988, but after clubhouse issues found himself moving on to the San Diego Padres for the 1992 season via a trade. Sheffield didn’t spend much time there either and quickly moved on to the Florida Marlins the following year. Sheffield began his tenure on The Fish with a .292/.378/.479 batting line after the mid-season trade. 1994 was Sheffield’s first full season on the team, but it was cuts short due to the lockout. He still managed a .276/.380/.584 batting line that signaled his “arrival” as a key bat.

1995 ended up being the first real full season for Gary Sheffield on the Miami Marlins (I’ll use the current name going forward). Sheffield batted .324/.467/.587 in 63 games and 213 AB’s with an impressive 16 home runs and 46 RBI. The following season he batted .314/.465/.624 with 42 home runs and 120 RBI in 161 games and 519 AB’s. He was worth 5.9 WAR that season and received NL MVP votes.

1997 was seemingly a down year for Gary Sheffield, as he hit only .250/.424/.446 in 135 games and 444 AB’s. He was however around for the playoff run. He hit an amazing .556/.714/1.000 in the three-game sweep of the San Francisco Giants in the NLDS. He followed that up with a disappointing .235/.458/.412 in the NLCS against his future team the Atlanta Braves. In the World Series, Sheffield batted .292/.485/.458 with a home run and 5 RBI.

Gary Sheffield unfortunately only played one more season with The Fish. He hit .302/.428/.524 in 130 games and 427 AB’s in 1998, before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sheffield played with them until moving on to the aforementioned Atlanta Braves in 2002 and then signed with the New York Yankees for the 2004 season. After forgettable stints with the Detroit Tigers and the New York Mets, he retired after the 2009 season. Revelations of steroid use (post-Miami Marlins days) tainted his career and are keeping him from the Hall of Fame.

Gary Sheffield was an important part of the Miami Marlins and helped us win the 1997 World Championship. He was an important part of that team and of the early years of the franchise, so let’s honor him today and reminisce on his accomplishments in a Fish uniform.