15-Year Marliniversary: Cabrera's Career Begins With Walk-Off Blast
(YouTube) As the latter part of June arrived in 2003, the Florida Marlins looked to the minor leagues to shake things up a bit. After a dismal 19-29 start, the Fish were trying to fight their way back to .500 and a change in left field seemed like a way to potentially jump-start the team and the offense. Todd Hollandsworth had been manning that position for the Marlins and was hitting .256 as of June 20, but with just two home runs and 14 RBIs. That's when Florida looked to a 20-year-old infielder named Miguel Cabrera to try to provide a spark. Cabrera's debut came on this day 15 years and ended with a bang. The Marlins were 35-39 with a chance to gain some ground as the lowly Tampa Bay Devil Rays came to Pro Player Stadium to begin a 3-game set. Nine innings would not be enough to decide the contest, which was a pitchers' duel for much of the evening. The only run for the Devils Rays came in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Aubrey Huff. Florida drew e