Miami Marlins: Just who Is playoff Michael Jordan for the ‘Fish’?

Honorable Mentions

Let’s be clear: Juan Pierre is not the final answer for the Miami Marlins playoff MVP.

But you can make the case without sounding crazy.

The same is true for many a Miami Marlins player. So before unveiling the answer, let’s take a moment and appreciate some other magical October moments from playoffs past.

First off, Juan Pierre in Game 2 of the 2003 NLDS. Pierre went 4-5 that day for a Marlins team badly needing a win after a Game 1 loss to the San Francisco Giants. That Pierre stole a base should surprise no one. But that he knocked in 3 RBI….that was stunning. The Giants just couldn’t stop him.

In fact, the three wins against the Giants in ’03 produce the top three choices when it comes to hitters. Ivan Rodriguez went 2-4 with a home run and 4 RBI in Game 3 and was responsible for every Marlins run.

Miguel Cabrera went 4-5 with 3 RBI, including the game-winner, the next day in Game 4.  And for sheer young player showing the world, he’s arrived awesomeness, Miami Marlins fans will never forget the swagger of that home run off of Roger Clemens right after the Rocket brushed him pack with some Hall of Fame chin music in the 2003 World Series.

Gary Sheffield deserves some praise too, for posting a 3 for 5, HR, 5 RBI line in Game 3 of the 1997 World Series. However, that effort did come in a 14-11 laugher that never should have been that close and actually demoralized Bob Costas to watch.

Lastly, the runner up: Livan Hernandez‘s masterful Game 5 performance in the 1997 NLCS against the Atlanta Braves. Livan’s line? How about 9 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, and 15 Ks. Honestly, that almost took the top spot. But one must remember the world’s most ridiculously generous strike zone was in play that game. Calling Charlie Hough‘s Opening Day first pitch in 1993 a strike was less criminal than half the calls Hernandez benefited from that day.

Just who is that final answer to our Michael Jordan riddle then? Let’s find out.