The Florida Marlins Play Their First Game

On April 5, 1993, the Florida Marlins took the field at Joe Robbie Stadium for the first game in franchise history. Severe storms had rolled through South Florida that morning, with wind gusts reaching 70 miles per hour, and for a few hours it looked like the debut might be postponed. The weather cleared. The crowd of 42,334 filled the converted football stadium, and the Marlins beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-3.

The starting pitcher was 45-year-old Charlie Hough, a knuckleballer in his 24th major league season. He gave up three runs over six innings and earned the win against Orel Hershiser. Jeff Conine went 4-for-4, an immediate declaration that he would become one of the franchise's original fan favorites.

Joe DiMaggio, 78 years old and living in South Florida retirement, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The Marlins and the Colorado Rockies had joined the National League that season, expanding the majors to 28 teams. It was the first expansion since 1977.

The Marlins finished their inaugural season 64-98, a respectable record for an expansion club. Four years later, they won the World Series, becoming the fastest expansion team to claim a championship. They won again in 2003, defying expectations both times.

But all of that was still ahead on this April afternoon. The franchise existed for exactly one game, and it was a win. Hough threw his knuckleball, Conine collected his hits, and professional baseball in South Florida had its beginning.