Marlins Team U.S.A

 With the World Series all wrapped up, where for the first time in MLB History a Season began and concluded outside of the United States (Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵 on March 18th / Toronto, Canada 🇨🇦 November 1st). The Baseball winter has arrived in which the cooler weather pushes the pause button on Major League diamonds until February. 

Now, you can get a baseball fix with a little bit over a week left in the Arizona Fall League. The AFL features top MLB prospects competing in the desert. Winter Leagues have already ramped up in the Caribbean, which will culminate just before the start of Spring Training with la Serie del Caribe taking place in Venezuela in 2026. 

The Caribbean Series won't be the only rendition of an International Tournament come the Spring. Oh no. The World Baseball Classic returns in 2026, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup taking place in North America this summer for the first time since 1994. Obviously the World Series & World Cup are the parallels in crowning a World Champion for each sport ⚾⚽. But it won't take away the passion the WBC brings many a Big Leaguer with an opportunity at representing they're Country. 

(You just won't see the madness everyone witnessed during Game 7 of the Fall Classic, Starting Pitchers going on 3 days rest, 2 days rest, ZERO days rest, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, insane, not even for defending Champion Japan 😉) 

May recognize the Player in Australia there Marlins fans, that's former Fish Jon Berti playing for the Canberra Calvary, a former Club of the ABL durring the 2013-'14 Campaign. 

With so much going on at the top of that International front, I mean even the Australian Baseball Winter League (where it's actually summer time atm 🦘) kicks off again in about a week. Thought Son Los Marlins could have a little fun.

What if we did our own WBC Rosters constituting of solely Marlins Players past or present. What would such Teams look like and who would you add or remove from each Club??

Now, there are some caveats. Players added on to each International Roster would occur during their 'Marlins Primes', must've played that position with the Fish, and obviously would've needed to have either been born or have some direct correlation to that respective Country.

Teams will constitute of 8 Pitchers (3 Starters/5 Bullpen arms), 9 Starting Position Players, and 1 Bench Bat.

We've gathered up 8 different Squads representing 10 Nations. Who knows, we may even throw em into a little simulated tournament at the end 😉. Here are each Country's selections which we will be giving you over the coming posts.

Let's start today with the Red, White, and Blue. Team USA!

P.S. How's about Jim Leyland as Marlins Team USA Skipper.

Featuring an absolute daunting Pitching Staff, the American Squad has quite possibly the best collection of Arms as any Team we'll be able to assemble here. Led by arguably the greatest Pitcher in Marlins History, Texas native Josh Beckett would pitch a Game 1 for the Stars and Stripes. We'd be able to place a Lefty (and not just any Left-Hander) on the Mound for Game 2 in Dontrelle Willis. The 'D-Train', the Franchise's first Rookie of the Year and to this day only 20 Game Winner in Fish lore, actually Pitched for Team USA during the inaugural WBC in 2006. While the Organization's first true ace and 1997 World Champ, Kevin Brown would complete the Red, White and Blue Rotation.

The first 2 Relievers coming out of the U.S.A Bullpen actually only made a combined 12 Relief Appearances for the Marlins (1 of those during the 1997 NLCS). But when you've captured an ERA Title and thrown out the first pitch @ Marlins Park / Tossed the Team's first No-Hitter and helped capture the '97 World Series, there's room on the Roster for Josh Johnson & Al Leiter.

The final 3 Relivers all wrapped up minimum 50 Games via the Save in Marlins History. Tanner Scott was one of the more dominant Closers in 2023, helping secure a Fish Playoff berth. Steve Cishek ranks 3rd All-Time in Franchise Saves with 94. While '97 Champ Robb Nen, whom also was part of the '93 Inaugural Marlins Squad, remains the Team leader in Saves and would get the ball in the 9th Inning for the Americans.

Can you think of a better Leadoff Hitter for the Fish than Juan Pierre? ..Didn't think so. J.P and his W.S Ring will roam Center Field for Team USA. The only MVP in Club History, Giancarlo Stanton took off in 2017 after Manager Don Mattingly slid him up to the 2 Hole. Big-G actually helped secure the U.S's first and only WBC Title in 2017 as well. While Tampa, FL native/World Series Winning Garry Sheffield will offer plenty of protection and then some (509 Career HR's), Batting 3rd. 

University of Memphis standout, Dan Uggla with all that pop at Second Base will bring his 2 All-Star nods and Silver Slugger to the Cleanup spot. While 2X World Champion 'Mr. Marlin' Jeff Conine has picked up a big Outfield Assist or two in Left. All the meantime there will be a Gold Glover over at 1B in '03 Champ, Derrek Lee.

The bottom third of the Order will consist of Brian Anderson at Third Base. B.A, who was such an integral part in the Marlins snapping a 17 year Playoff drought in 2020 and one of only 4 Marlins to have had a 3 Homer Game. Fort Pierce, FL native Charles Johnson was the Franchise's first ever Draft Pick. The 1997 World Champ will be behind the Dish along with his 4 Gold Gloves. The Shortstop for the Marlins Team USA could be a surprise to many, we're going with Jon Berti whom spent 5 Seasons in South Florida (2 of those resulted in Playoff Appearances). Berti ranks 7th All-Time in Stolen Bases for the Fish.

We mentioned every Country will have a bat off the bench, good luck finding one better than Christian Yelcih, whom also was on the 2017 WBC U.S Champions. Good luck vs Team U.S.A, period. You're gonna need it 🇺🇸!