When the then-Florida Marlins—then just a fifth-year expansion team—won the World Series in 1997, the joy that comes to the respective fanbase was short-lived.
Owner Wayne Huizenga had quickly given up on the concept of Miami being able to sustain a profitable major league franchise, claiming a loss of $34 million following the series win over the Cleveland Indians.
What followed were a slew of trades that would see the feel-good ‘97 team slowly dismantled.
Kevin Brown, the undisputed ace of the staff over the past two seasons, would find himself traded to San Diego Padres on December 15th of that year.