Stanton’s big swings save Marlins
Logan Morrison was previewing the Miami Marlins lineup during spring training.
“And I get to bat behind the strongest man in the history of baseball,” Morrison said.
Giancarlo Stanton has spent May taking the hyperbole out of his teammate’s statement.
The Miami right fielder hit a ball — a grand slam — that knocked out a chunk of scoreboard in the Marlins’ new ballpark for half an inning. That ball was clocked heading to left field at 122.4 mph, and you can bet Stanton provided most of that velocity, considering the pitcher was Jamie Moyer.
Others among his 12 May homers — tied for the major league lead — merely dented walls and seats, at least when the 400-foot-plus shots didn’t clear everything. His 1.201 onbase-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) also leads the majors.
But Stanton’s biggest feat might be saving a Marlins season that was spiraling out of control in April. Never mind Stanton’s .247 average and one homer entering May. The Marlins were 8-14 and last in the National League East. Manager Ozzie Guillen barely had survived a team suspension for his comments about Fidel Castro.
The dream season featuring big-name free agents and a new ballpark was falling apart. Now, all that’s falling apart is whatever Stanton hits with a screaming line drive.
The Marlins are seven games above .500 and a half-game out of first place after a franchisebest 21-8 month.
“This kid is one of the biggest reasons we played well,” Guillen says.