The 2021 Miami Marlins might not make the playoffs, but if history is anything to go by, they are about to find the next face of the franchise.
That the Miami Marlins have done plenty of losing in their history is no secret.
What might well be a secret though is just how much talent they have had on their roster since Day 1. Indeed, there has never even been a two year stretch where the Marlins didn’t have a homegrown All-Star hitter, a truly dynamic force worth paying to see, on the roster. Until right now that is.
In April of 1993, the Miami Marlins franchise officially began. Two months later, they traded for reigning All-Star Gary Sheffield, who went on to start at third base for the Marlins in that season’s Midsummer Classic. From that moment on, Sheffield and 1994-1995 All-Star Jeff Conine were Miami’s big draws at the gate. Sheffield was on a 50 HR pace before the strike in 1994, and his 1996 season was the most dominant in franchise history. Conine became “Mr. Marlin”, which really says it all about whether or not you have the fans’ attention.
Of course, all that talent and then some left the team in 1998. Much of it before Opening Day, most of the rest by June of that year. But even then, World Series hero Edgar Renteria hung around for that entire low- point season, blossoming into a star.
The 1999 campaign that followed, up until about the 2000 ASG, stands as the previous record holding stretch. And if we go by the number of games played, it still is the record: sixty games a sample size is not. Illness and injuries kept young talents Mike Lowell and Cliff Floyd in check that season. Most of the attention that year was on the pitching- 1997 holdovers Alex Fernandez and Livan Hernandez, and shutdown closer Matt Mantei. Shortstop Alex Gonzalez did represent Miami in the ASG, but in more of a “someone had to go” than a “you’ve gotta see this guy” capacity.
After that? Cavalcade of talent right through from 2000 to 2018. Luis Castillo challenged for a batting title. Floyd and Preston Wilson produced 20/20 and 30/30 seasons respectively. Lowell and Derek Lee set the standard for defensive excellence as they developed into power hitters. Some guy named Miguel Cabrera made his debut, before turning the spotlight over to NL Rookie of the Year winner Hanley Ramirez. Who in turn passed the baton to Giancarlo Stanton, presiding over Marlins Park until J.T. Realmuto finally became a household name in the 2018 season.
Obviously, that rundown leaves a lot of guys out. Just as obviously, having talented and exciting players alone isn’t enough to win a title. But those players do spark interest. They do sell jerseys and tickets. They get kids to ask their parents for a trip to the ballpark, and for the resulting concession carnage. And that is actually something that the Marlins have always, steadily had.
But as of right now, for the first time since the start of that 2000 season, the Miami Marlins simply don’t have that.
Starling Marte rediscovering his All-Star form, posting his own 20/20 season, would be a good start, but not enough. For a Marte breakout would very likely result in Miami being priced out of his market next winter. Miami’s young pitching is solid, and could be great. But not one of them has shown any sign thus far of becoming a must-see-tv, big event type performer like Dontrelle Willis or Jose Fernandez.
No, what Miami really needs is for Brian Anderson, Isan Diaz, Garrett Cooper, or perhaps even a JJ Bleday to deliver a major breakout. Someone who fans can believably see being here for multiple seasons. Hopefully, being built around to produce a winner. But at a minimum, reliably being here to be worth watching whenever possible.
Again, Miami doesn’t have that player as of now. The good news though is, if history is any guide, they are due to discover that player by midsummer.