by Dan Trammel

Created on: February 09, 2009   Last Updated: July 29, 2009

The Florida Marlins began Major League play in 1993. In only its fifth season, the Marlins surprised the pundits by winning a World Series title. Despite dismantling the team after the win and immediately falling to mediocrity, the Marlins won another World Series title six seasons later. Since its second championship, the Marlins have remained competitive, posting three winning seasons out of five, but have been unable to return to the post-season. Due to its usual small payroll, the Marlins tend to have a lot of turnover among its players. Despite sixteen seasons of Major League play, the Marlins have only two players who have collected more than 1000 hits in a Florida uniform. Nonetheless, the Marlins have had many terrific players who have contributed to its success.

Miguel Cabrera burst onto the national scene as a 20-year old rookie during the Marlins' 2003 World Series run. Despite struggling in the World Series, Cabrera starred in the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs by hitting .333 with 3 home runs and 6 Runs Batted In. The following season, Cabrera earned the first of 4 consecutive All-Star appearances. In each of his 4 full seasons in a Florida uniform, Cabrera collected more than 100 RBIs. He also batted over .300 3 times, hit 30 or more homers 3 times, and scored 100 or more runs 3 times. As a result of the salary he would demand, the Marlins traded Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers prior to the start of the 2008 season. Nonetheless, Cabrera still ranks among the Marlins' all-time leaders in most offensive categories and has the highest batting average in team history (.313).

Another Marlins' legend is third baseman Mike Lowell. Also a member of the 2003 World Series team, Lowell represented the Marlins in 3 All-Star games. Despite playing just 6 seasons in Florida, Lowell is the franchise's all-time leader in home runs (143), RBIs (578), extra base hits (387), and total bases (1641). He was traded to the Boston Red Sox following the 2005 season.

Second baseman Luis Castillo played his first ten seasons with the Marlins, appearing in three All-Star games and winning 3 Gold Glove Awards. He twice led the National League in stolen bases and is the franchise's all-time leader in that category with 281. He is also the Florida career leader in hits (1273), runs (675), games (1128), and triples (42).

A Marlins' fan-favorite is outfielder/first baseman Jeff Conine. Known as Mr. Marlin, Conine is the only player to appear in

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