The Florida Marlins team did not come about easily. It took a congressional investigation into baseball expansion practices before the National League expanded to include the Florida Marlins. While the story started in 1985, the Marlins didn’t make their official debut until April 5, 1993.

In 1996, the stadium was renamed to Pro Player Stadium. This seemed to be a turning point for the Marlins. A new home, along with a new manager, carried them to third place in the division.
Marlins tickets grew in popularity when just four short years after coming into existence (1997), the team went straight to the World Series. In seven hard-fought games, they took the Series over the Cleveland Indians and made their mark as a “true” baseball team, not just an expansion club.

Unfortunately, the very next year team owner H. Wayne Huizenga traded a large percentage of the team away for young players. Speculation was that he did this to reduce the team payroll. For whatever reason, 1998 saw the Florida Marlins lose over 100 games for the season. Baseball tickets sales fell by approximately one third, with fans protesting by staying away from the games.

The Marlins have had an interesting history in their short span. The team was sold in 1999, and then again in 2002. However, the team seems to thrive on potential difficulty because in 2003, the Marlins once again advanced to the World Series, and once again took home the championship.

2004 and 2005 were disappointing years since the Marlins couldn’t follow up on the momentum created by their 2003 World Series win. Added to that, 2005 saw another round of trades reminiscent of those conducted in 1998, which leaves the Marlins in rebuilding stage again with a very young team.

Just to make things more confusing, the Marlins had planned to construct a new baseball-only stadium in Miami. For years, they’ve shared Pro Player Stadium with the Dolphins football team. Unfortunately, these plans have fallen through and the team is seriously considering relocation to another city.

The Marlins have inspired some die hard fans with their great players over the years. Their All-Stars list includes Gary Sheffield, Jeff Conine and Kevin Brown going twice before 2000. Since the new century began, Dontrelle Willis made the trip once. Luis Castillo went twice, and Mike Lowell went as third baseman three times.

While the Marlins’ future as the “Florida Marlins” may be in the air, it will be interesting to see this very young team find its feet in the coming years.