It was June 15, 2010 when Giancarlo Stanton stepped to the plate for the first time as a big leaguer in South Florida.
Then a 20-year-old slugger, he went by ‘Mike’ Stanton, batted seventh in the lineup and played for the ‘Florida’ Marlins in a spacious football stadium. While he struck out in his first at bat and finished 0 for 4 that night, Stanton soon provided the fireworks Marlins fans would grow accustomed too, blasting his first home run in South Florida three days later.
He would go on to notch a franchise-record 267 homers in his eight-year Miami career — highlighted by last season’s sensational 59-home run campaign that earned him National League MVP honors.
After being traded to the Yankees in the offseason, Stanton will make his return to Miami on Tuesday as the Marlins open up a two-game set with New York.
“It’s going to be weird, for sure — walking in and going to the visitor side,” Stanton told New York reporters on Sunday. “It’s a big part of my life — my time down there. It’ll be a cool experience.”
One of the most accomplished players in Marlins history — and perhaps the best — Stanton was a dominating presence in Miami. A California native, he was the Marlins’ second-round draft pick in 2007 and quickly blossomed into one of the game’s best power hitters. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound slugger blasted at least 27 home runs in six of his eight seasons with the team and provided the Marlins with a legitimate star.
He was rewarded with a massive 13-year year contract worth $325 million in 2014 by previous owner Jeffrey Loria. After buying the team last year, the Marlins new ownership group led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter dealt the All-Star in an effort to rebuild and create financial flexibility due to the nature of the back-loaded contract.
Now clad in the pinstripes, Stanton is in the midst of a new chapter in his baseball career. In his first season with the Yankees, Stanton is batting .285/.353/.543 with 32 home runs and 80 RBI. Stanton faced the Marlins earlier this season, but went 0 for 7 during a two-game series in New York in April.
Stanton should see a welcome reception as he returns to Miami. In addition to his star-studded career with the Marlins, the Yankees will likely bring a large contingent of fans to Marlins Park considering the sheer amount of New York transplants and the franchise’s storied history.
In his last game at Marlins Park, Stanton went 2 for 5 with an RBI in the 2017 season finale against Atlanta. His last home game in Miami came on Sept. 28, when he hit two homers against the Braves.
While the trip will certainly carry some emotion, fate has also intervened for Stanton to achieve a career milestone back in Marlins Park. The 28 year old currently sits as 299 career home runs — one away from the 300 mark. That fact hasn’t gone unnoticed by the New York outfielder.
“Yeah, it would be cool,” Stanton told reporters on Sunday. “That would be really cool if I did that.”
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