All Time (Pitching, Pitching, and more Pitching)

"All time" pinch hit leader Lenny Harris.

What better time than during a Pandemic to bring out the Marlins All Time Team. Here is my take on the legends of Florida baseball. It's the Starters' trun in the Roation ⚾.

Starting Rotation:

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Josh Beckett

The best game pitched in Franchise History. If you consider the circumstances, along with the surroundings, and above all else the stakes. Josh Beckett holds that distinction. The "3 days of rest", the "ghosts of Yankee Stadium", the opportunity to "clinch the World Series", and all the then 23 year-old did was Shutout the Yankees in an absolute Pitching Clinic. The 2003 World Series MVP came up big all through that Postseason. From blanking the Cubs with a 2 Hit Shutout while facing elimination in Game 5 of the NLCS, to solidifying Game 7 of that Series with 4 Innings of Relief 2 NON PITCHING DAYS LATER. The big Texan won 15 games in ’05 and you’d be pressed to find someone you’d want over Beckett in a big-game setting. 

Dontrelle Willis

An absolute phenomenon! I would say Dontrelle Willis ‘bursted’ on to the scene in ’03, but lets face it, “The D-Train” knocked the entire scene down. The super high leg kick, the arms & elbows flying everywhere, the charisma, the intensity, the competitor, how wasn’t Willis going to be the most popular player in Marlins History?! He won 9 of his first 10 decisions, was the first Marlin ever to be named Pitcher of the Month, and added a World Series Ring on the mantle along with his Rookie of the Year Award in 2003. As good as he was during his Rookie Year, he was better in '05. Willis won 22 Games (to this day only 20-Game Winner in Franchise History) in 2005 to go along with a sparkling 2.63 ERA, completing the best season a Marlins Pitcher has had to date. Oh and by the way, ‘Train’ could absolutely rake (the best hitting Pitcher in Marlin History to boot).

Josh Johnson

A 2.30 ERA in 2009 earning an ERA Title (One of only 2 Marlins to ever accomplish the feat). 2 All-Star selections (Including helping the N.L defeat the A.L for the first time in 13 years with 2 perfect Innings in 2010). He ranks 2^nd in Franchise History in Strikeouts and 3^rd in both Wins & Innings Pitched. These are only a handful of accomplishments Josh Johnson had in a Marlins Uniform, not to mention winning 15 Games in 2009. J.J, an absolute Ace.

Ricky Nolasco

The old famous quote from the movie ‘Major League’ where they tell Charlie Sheen’s character “Forget about the Curveball Ricky, give em the Heater” did not apply to this ‘Ricky’ Nolasco. That’s because Nolasco had some of the filthiest Breaking-Balls the Organization has ever seen, especially the big 12-6 CURVEBALL 😉. Nolasco rode much of that off-speed into becoming the Franchise Leader in Wins, Strikeouts, and Innings Pitched. He won 15 Games in 2008, and in ’09 he Struck out 16 Atlanta Braves during his final Start of the Season, including 9 in a row (Both Marlin Records). The 9 straight was 1 shy of the Major League Record.  

Jose Fernandez 

You’d be hard pressed to find a Starting Pitcher with more Talent than the late Jose Fernandez. With the only thing matching that Talent probably being his Enthusiasm for the game. “Joseito” truly was 1 of a kind. From some of the crazy stories of his escape from his native Cuba, to absolutely dazzling on the mound in Little Havana where he was virtually unbeatable with a remarkable 29-2 Record & a 1.49 ERA. Fernandez was the 2013 Rookie of the Year, finished with a 2.19 ERA in ‘13 (2^nd Lowest in Marlins History), went to 2 All-Star Games, and won 16 Ball Games in 2016. Nastiest Slider I've Ever Seen, Period. Here's to you Joseito!