With their 8-6 victory over the Washington Nationals Wednesday, the Miami Marlins improved their record to 62-84 in a season that started with a slew of reasons to be excited.
For one, the team entered 2021 hot-off their first postseason berth in 17 years, ultimately losing to the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.
Manager Don Mattingly guided a covid-stricken ship to a 31-29 record en-route to garnering NL Manager of the Year honors.
Third baseman Brian Anderson built on a strong 2019 showing to post a career-best 116 OPS+ while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at third base, and Sixto Sánchez gave Miami fans, and those of baseball in general for that matter, a glimpse into what Derek Jeter and co.