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Today in Miami Marlins History: Two Franchise Milestones

By Sean Millerick

Florida Marlins pitcher Al Leiter throws a pitch in the first inning of Miami's game 21 May with the New York Mets at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. This was Leiters' first start after being placed on the disabled list 01 May with a bone bruise on his right knee. AFP PHOTO/RHONA WISE (Photo by RHONA WISE / AFP) (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images)
Florida Marlins pitcher Al Leiter throws a pitch in the first inning of Miami's game 21 May with the New York Mets at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. This was Leiters' first start after being placed on the disabled list 01 May with a bone bruise on his right knee. AFP PHOTO/RHONA WISE (Photo by RHONA WISE / AFP) (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

Al Leiter Makes Miami Marlins History

The Marlins have only had six winning seasons in their history, which says a lot about how this franchise has been operated over the years. Of course, as all Marlins fans know, it’s also been a really weird franchise, often offering more highs than plenty of more established and better funded clubs. Particularly in their own division- after all, no NL East squad was won more championships than Miami since the Marlins entered the league.

But up until May 11th, 1996, the Miami Marlins had really failed to make to do much to make their mark on baseball history.

Al Leiter changed that over the course of nine hitless innings, surrendering only two walks and striking out six en route to the first no hitter in Marlins history.

Leiter’s no-no was the first of a staggering six no-hitters for Miami- one for each of those six winning seasons. Which is another curious point of contrast with those other NL East clubs. It’s NL East 10, Miami 6 in the no-no department since 1993, with only the Phillies five no-nos coming close to matching the Marlins output. The contrast is particularly stark when it comes to the Mets, who have only had one no-hitter ever. 

What stands out the most about Leiter’s particular no-hitter is just how unnecessary his efforts arguably were. Miami scored six runs- there’s that number six again- in the first inning of this 11-0 victory. Every other Marlins no-no but one could have gone either way right down to the last out, and even Kevin Brown‘s 9-0 hitless decision was a one-run game until the 7th inning.

Again, rollercoaster is the right word when it comes to Marlins history. Thanks to Al Leiter, May 11th, 1996, was arguably the first peak. Now, fastforward a few peaks and several years, and we come to another notable May 11th.

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