www abdopublishing com Published by Abdo Publishing a division of ABDO PO Box 398166 Minneapolis Minnesota 55439 Copyright 2015 by Abdo Consulting Group Inc International copyrights reserved in all countries No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher SportsZone is a trademark and logo of Abdo Publishing Printed in the United States of America North Mankato Minnesota 052014 092014 Editor Matt Tustison Copy Editor Nicholas Cafarelli Interior Design and Production Kazuko Collins Cover Design Christa Schneider Photo Credits Wilfredo Lee AP Images cover David Santiago AP Images 1 Elise Amendola AP Images 4 42 middle Eric Draper AP Images 7 Hans Deryk AP Images 8 20 42 bottom Ed Reinke AP Images 11 Jennie Zeiner AP Images 12 Doug Jennings AP Images 15 42 top Lynne Sladky AP Images 17 34 43 bottom Jeffrey Boan AP Images 19 Gary I Rothstein AP Images 22 Michael S Green AP Images 25 Bill Kostroun AP Images 26 43 middle Wilfredo Lee AP Images 29 47 J Pat Carter AP Images 30 43 top Charles Krupa AP Images 33 David Zalubowski AP Images 36 Alan Diaz AP Images 39 Kyodo AP Images 40 Ed Betz AP Images 44 Library of Congress Control Number 2014932898 Cataloging-in-Publication Data Smolka Bo 1965 Miami Marlins Bo Smolka p cm Inside MLB Includes bibliographical references and index ISBN 978-1-62403-470-1 1 Miami Marlins Baseball team History Juvenile literature 2 Florida Marlins Baseball team History Juvenile literature I Title GV875 M47S56 2015 796 357’6409759381 dc23 2014932898
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Champions 4 Chapter 2 More Than Spring Training 12 Chapter 3 From First to Worst 20 Chapter 4 Back on Top 26 Chapter 5 A Bright Future 34 Timeline 42 Quick Stats 44 Quotes and Anecdotes 45 Glossary 46 For More Information 47 Index 48 About the Author 48
CHAPTER 1 CHAMPIONS
T he Florida Marlins Edgar Renteria stood at home plate his bat twitching as he awaited the pitch Craig Counsell took his lead off third base He represented the winning run 90 feet away The bases were loaded The crowd was going wild This was not just any game It was Game 7 of the 1997 World Series It was the bottom of the 11th inning For just the third time Game 7 of the World Series had gone into extra innings The Marlins had trailed the Cleveland Indians 2 1 going into the bottom of the ninth but tied the score on a sacrifice fly Extra Extra Extra Extra Extra Extra The World Series is a best-of-seven The World Series is a best-of-seven series It has been held nearly every series It has been held nearly every series It has been held nearly every year since 1903 But through 2013 year since 1903 But through 2013 Game 7 had gone into extra innings Game 7 had gone into extra innings Game 7 had gone into extra innings only three times Florida's win only three times Florida's win only three times Florida's win over Cleveland in 1997 was one of over Cleveland in 1997 was one of over Cleveland in 1997 was one of them The others occurred in 1924 tthem The others occurred in 1924 them The others occurred in 1924 when the Washington Senators when the Washington Senators when the Washington Senators defeated the New York Giants 4 3 ddefeated the New York Giants 4 3 defeated the New York Giants 4 3 in 12 innings and in 1991 when the e in 12 innings and in 1991 when the in 12 innings and in 1991 when the Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Minnesota Twins beat the Atlanta Braves 1 0 in 10 innings Braves 1 0 in 10 innings The Marlins Edgar Renteria is hoisted by teammates after he hit a The Marlins Edgar Renteria is hoisted by teammates after he hit a game-winning single in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series game-winning single in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series CHAMPIONS 5
