Part 2/9:
The Marlins began their journey in 1993 alongside the Colorado Rockies, making significant early acquisitions, including future stars like Gary Sheffield and Brian Harvey. A landmark trade with the San Diego Padres brought Sheffield to Miami, kickstarting the team's success, as they amassed staggering attendance numbers of over 3 million in their debut season.
Despite initial struggles, the team saw an improvement in 1996, finishing third in the National League under newfound momentum. A managerial change brought in Jim Leland, who guided the Marlins to sign significant free agents, raising expectations.