No. 2: Gary Sheffield homers in Marlins’ first-ever All-Star at-bat
Leading up to the July 11 MLB All-Star Game in Miami, we’re counting down the 10 most memorable All-Star moments in Marlins history.
Year: 1993 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore Result: AL 9, NL 3 Notable: Sheffield, in the Marlins’ inaugural season, hit a two-run home run in the first All-Star at-bat by a Marlins player.
How it happened: Sheffield, acquired from San Diego in a blockbuster deal with the Padres three weeks earlier, started at third base. The third batter of the game, he hit a no-doubt drive to left on a 1-2 pitch off California Angels left-hander Mark Langston. On the CBS broadcast, Tim McCarver said, “I guess that’s what expansion players are supposed to do, expand the ballpark. That’s what Sheffield does with this knock. How about that. They are dancing in the streets of South Florida tonight.” Actually there was considerable local interest as the Marlins’ attendance topped 3 million that first season — for the only time in their history — and Sheffield was their first big star. Ironically, considering the indifference that has marked the relationship between the Marlins and the region for much of their history, he even cited South Florida fans as the reason he became the first player on a first-year expansion team voted into the starting lineup. “If I had still been in San Diego, this would not have been possible,” Sheffield said in 1993. “Obviously, nobody goes to San Diego games. The Miami fans helped my case. The Marlins are drawing more than 41,000 fans a game, and I know they helped me.” Sheffield’s homer, which sailed over the game’s eventual MVP, Kirby Puckett, in left field, was the lone highlight for the National League. Marlins closer Bryan Harvey was also selected to the team and pitched a scoreless final inning, striking out two, but the game had already been decided.