The Best Marlins of All-Time by Jersey Number: Nos. 1-10

Getty Images
The Florida/Miami Marlins may not have the history of the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs or Los Angeles Dodgers, but it is a history that's growing.

In now a 26th year as a Major League Baseball franchise, the Marlins have two World Series championships to their name. Only the Yankees, Red Sox and San Francisco Giants have more since the Marlins' inauguration in 1993.

Over more than a quarter century, several productive players have donned the Marlins uniform. In a several part series, we'll be looking at the best players to wear each jersey number, beginning with Nos. 1 through 10:

1. Luis Castillo (1996-2005)
Second Baseman
Marlins Stats: .293 average, .370 on-base percentage, 280 stolen bases
During his prime, few lead-off men had more success as a slap hitter or were more productive than Luis Castillo. In 10 years with the Marlins, Castillo appeared in three All-Star games, won three Gold Gloves and helped Florida win two World Series titles. Castillo remains the franchise's all-time leader in games, runs, triples, stolen bases, walks, hits and sacrifices. Castillo led the National League in stolen bases in 2000 and 2002. His 35-game hitting streak in 2002 is the longest in franchise history.

2. Hanley Ramirez (2006-12)
Infielder  
Marlins Stats: .300 batting average, 148 home runs, 482 RBIs
The first member of the Florida Marlins to win a batting title, Hanley Ramirez played in three All-Star games and was the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year. After leading the league with 125 runs scored in 2008, Ramirez batted a career-high .342 to win the batting title in 2009. Ramirez won the Silver Slugger Award in each of those two seasons.

3. Jorge Cantu (2008-10)
Infielder
Marlins Stats: .278 average, 55 home runs, 249 RBIs
Jorge Cantu spent less than three years with the Marlins, but did supply some power in the middle of the lineup. After leading the club with 95 RBIs in 2008, Cantu became one of just 18 Marlins ever to drive in 100 runs in a season in 2009. Cantu's 29 home runs in 2008 ranks 21st in team-history for homers in a single season.

4. Greg Colbrunn (1994-96)
First Baseman
Marlins Stats: .284 average, 45 home runs, 189 RBIs
An early member of the Florida Marlins, first baseman Greg Colbrunn managed to stay under the radar as far as big-league first basemen were concerned. Colbrunn could hit for average, power and drive in runs. Colbrunn homered 39 times over his final two seasons with the Marlins and provided some protection in the lineup for the likes of Gary Sheffield and Jeff Conine.

5. Logan Morrison (2012-13)
First Base/Outfielder
Marlins Stats: .236 average, 17 home runs, 72 RBIs
A big-time prospect in the Marlins' organization, Logan Morrison never quite reached his potential with the Fish. The jersey No. 5 however, hasn't been a prestigious one in team history. After wearing No. 20 early on, Morrison switched to No. 5 for his final two seasons. He played in 178 games.

Dan Uggla and Hanley Ramirez formed a lethal combination atop the Marlins' lineup. (Getty Images)


6. Dan Uggla (2006-10)
Second Baseman
Marlins Stats: .263 average, 154 home runs, 465 RBIs
Dan Uggla spent five years with the Florida Marlins and left the franchise as the club's all-time leader in home runs. Uggla was a two-time All-Star with Florida and hit 30 home runs on four separate occasions. Uggla and Giancarlo Stanton are the only two players in team history who can say that. Uggla left the Marlins after the 2010 season and received a big contract with the Atlanta Braves, but his career has never quite had the same success.

7. Mark Kotsay (1998-2000)
Outfielder
Marlins Stats: .283 average, 31 home runs, 179 RBIs
Not as accomplished as some of the players on the list, Mark Kotsay was a dependable player for the Florida Marlins for three years. A Golden Spikes Award winnert at Cal State Fullerton, Kotsay was a solid average hitter with good speed and a rocket for an arm in right field. Kotsay spent 17 years in the big leagues. His 19 stolen bases for the Marlins in 2000 was a career-high. Kotsay narrowly edged out legendary catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who spent just one season with the Marlins.

8. Chris Coghlan (2009-13)
Outfielder/Infielder
Marlins Stats: .270 average, 21 home runs, 117 RBIs
The 2009 National League Rookie of the Year, Chris Coghlan never could put it all together after his rookie season. Coghlan was in and out of the lineup after that and moved to third base toward the end of his career. As a rookie in 2009, Coghlan hit .321 with 31 doubles in 128 games. He edges out Bret Barberie for this spot on the list.

9. Juan Pierre (2003-05, 2013)
Outfielder
Marlins Stats: .295 average, 332 runs, 190 stolen bases
The table-setter for the Florida Marlins' 2003 World Series title team, Juan Pierre knew how to use his speed to get on base and to wreak havoc on the basepaths. Pierre played in 162 games in each of the three seasons of his first stint with the team. After leading the National League with 65 stolen bases in 2003, Pierre legged out 12 triples and collected 221 hits to lead the league the following season. Pierre continues to hold the club single-season record for hits and triples.

10. Gary Sheffield (1993-98)
Third Base/Outfielder
Marlins Stats: .288 average, 122 home runs, 380 RBIs
The first member of the Florida Marlins to start the All-Star Game and a member of baseball's 500-home run club, Gary Sheffield was the face of the Marlins' organization for the majority of his tenure. Sheffield made a pair of All-Star games with Florida and left the club as the all-time leader in home runs. His 42 blasts in 1996 was a team-record that would stand for 20 years. He remains the team's all-time leader in on-base percentage and OPS.

Mike Ferguson is the founder of Marlins Memories. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

15-Year Maliniversary: Lowell Becomes First Marlin to Homer Three Times in One Game

5-Year Marliniversary: Stanton's Walk-Off Slam Downs Mariners

5-Year Marliniversary: Fernandez Ks Career-High 14 in 1-0 Win Over Braves