Miami Marlins Opening Day 2001: The Game That Wouldn’t End

Continuing to look back at past Miami Marlins Opening Days, let’s go back to 2001, and the longest opener in team history.

Expectations were high for the Miami Marlins entering the 2001 season.

What wasn’t expected was just how long it would take to get from Game 1 to Game 2.

For on April 2, 2001, the Marlins played what still stands as the longest Opening Day game in team history, going thirteen innings before eventually falling 6-5 to the hated Philadelphia Phillies.

Only one other time, in 2016, did a Miami Marlins Opening Day go to the extras at all- but that game was only a measly eleven innings, and had the benefit of being played in air conditioning. That just doesn’t hold a candle to the four hour plus experience of that 2001 Pro Player Stadium opener.

A fact that stands out all the more for me as I was there for it.

Even in defeat, it’s one of my favorite baseball memories. Possibly that recollection is colored by some of the personal milestones attached, as I believe that was the first time I went to a baseball game without any actual adults in attendance. Or was parentally sanctioned to have multiple other passengers in the car- it was a very full pickup that made it’s way to Miami Gardens that night. Quite the liberating experience, even if the phone calls from Mom did start once per inning after the 8th.

But why do you, dear reader, care about a Miami Marlins Opening Day from twenty years ago? Besides fascinating anecdotes from my childhood?

Because there are a lot of comparisons to be drawn between those 2001 Marlins and this 2021 squad, that’s why.

Again, expectations were high coming into the season. Just like in 2020, the 2000 season was a huge leap forward for a rebuilding team. True, that team didn’t have a winning season or make the playoffs. However, when you make a 15-game improvement from the season before, and are two years removed from a franchise worse 54 wins, going 79-82 feels well worth celebrating. The backbone of that 2000 squad, and the main reason for that 2001 optimism? A stable of young, controllable pitching rounding into form, with more reinforcements waiting in the wings.

Sound familiar?

Fans also had some reason to hope that ownership was really financially invested in building a winner again as well, as the big offseason prize that season was bringing back fan favorite and 1997 WS hero Charles Johnson to provide some pop and mentor that young pitching staff.

The 2021 club might not have a Johnson-type signing to point to, but do sport a significantly overhauled bullpen and slugger Adam Duvall. Not to mention a pair of off the field victories that promise more revenue to spend on future rosters. The sense among fans is that players are staying, and prospects are improving.  That the franchise is turning a corner.

Just like the sense fans had on Opening Day 2001

As a stand alone game? Fun for sure. Seeing South Florida-born Johnson in a Marlins uniform again was a great feeling…even if he did go 0 for 6 in his big debut. Miami tied the game in the bottom of the ninth…on a balk. Two Marlins hit home runs, including the newly acquired Eric Owens. Always nice when a new signing makes a good first impression.

But it’s that feeling Miami Marlins fans had back in 2001 that seems most worth remembering, as it feels a lot like the sense around the team right now. Indeed, great things were ahead.

The journey there, though? Probably not what most fans were expecting.