BY SCOTT MORGANROTH
I never had a chance to mention this to Marlins Manager Skip Schumaker because I was focused on pre-game questions prior to their August 10, 2024 contest.
If I had time, I would have asked the Marlins manager did he know that Miami was the Class A affiliate of the Padres in the Florida State League in 1983-1984?
This squad played at the now demolished Miami Stadium, which are now apartments.
The team was managed by Jim Breazeale and their best player was catcher Benito Santiago. My good friend and baseball life Brian Butterfield also played on this team which finished 44-89 (.331).
Under Manager Steven Smith, the 1984 fared much better by compiling a 64-74 (.464) and the best player on the team was pitcher Lance McCullers. He went on to have a pretty good career,
At the game, my questioning was on the recent acquisition on outfielder Derek Hill and one of the new cornerstones Xavier Edwards. I told Schumaker the last time that I saw Edwards play was when he hit for the cycle in Milwaukee, and Skip said, “I’m glad you’re back.”
You’ll see Schumacher’s comments in the enclosed video.
Edwards proceeded to get nine total bases in the game we attended. He walked and reached third (3) had a single and scored (4), had another walk (1) and hit into a fielders choice (1).
The Marlins and Padres unique history has taken on a new meaning this season.
The Fish traded last year’s batting champion Luis Arraez in May for prospects in a move that signaled to the fans and media to get ready for a tear-down under the new front office regime led by Peter Bendix.
When the trade deadline came a few weeks ago, these two teams made an another huge move.
This swap saw the Marlins send closer Tanner Scott and reliever Bryan Hoeing in return for prospects. Time will tell how these prospects will develop, but Scott and Hoeing are making a difference for the red-hot Padres. These two hurlers go from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.
In the game we saw, Arraez reached base twice and scored a run. Scott amassed his 19th save and first with the Padres in a 9-8 win in 10 innings.
San Diego would win the series 2-1 with the Marlins lone victory occurring on Sunday, 7-6.
But when you look at the Padres season, former Manager Bob Melvin resigned and signed with the San Francisco Giants.
San Diego hired former St. Louis Cardinals Manager Mike Shildt.
The Padres record is 73-57 (.557) and they’re a really dangerous team despite playing without superstar Fernando Tatis Jr.
San Diego currently has the best record in MLB since the All-Star Break with a 22-6 mark.
If there is a team to watch down the stretch, it’s the Padres. Once Tatis Jr. returns, they figure to add another bat to the line-up.
As for Miami, Schumaker will be a free agent at the end of the season as both sides mutually agreed to void the third year on his contract.
For the manager, his main objective is to do the best with what he has to work with, then both sides will have fresh starts in 2025.
I never thought I’d see the day that I would put Santiago, McCullers, Arraez, Scott and Hoeing in the same story, but that’s the “Unique History” of these two franchises.
Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com and you can subscribe to see his broadcasts on the South Florida Tribune You Tube Channel.
If you want to reach him on Twitter/X you can do so @TribuneSouth.
Finally, his book “Lessons From The Microphone” can be obtained for purchase on Amazon-Kindle and Barnes & Noble.
