30-year Marliniversary: Sheffield, Harvey shine as Marlins' first All-Stars

Another All-Star Game is in the books. On Tuesday night, the National League defeated the American League in Seattle, 3-2.

On this day 30 years ago, the Florida Marlins were represented in the Midsummer Classic for the first time. Gary Sheffield and Bryan Harvey did the franchise proud as the National League fell to the American League, 9-3.

A midseason acquisition from the San Diego Padres, Sheffield wasted little time making his presence felt at Camden Yards in Baltimore on July 13, 1993. In the first at-bat for a Marlin in All-Star Game history, Sheffield took a pitch from California Angels star lefty Mark Langston down the line and over the wall in left field for a two-run home run.

Sheffield would be one of the few bright spots for the National League lineup. Against Jimmy Key of the New York Yankees in the sixth inning, Sheffield singled to cap a two-hit night.

A solo home run from Kirby Puckett in the second and another from Roberto Alomar in the third drew the American League even. The American League ultimately seized control with three-run innings in the fifth and sixth. Puckett finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs to earn MVP honors.

The American League took a 9-3 lead to the bottom of the eighth, but Harvey made sure that lead didn’t grow any further. Harvey worked around a single by Frank Thomas and a stolen base from Devon White to pitch a scoreless inning. During the frame, he struck out Carlos Baerga and Juan Gonzalez.

Over the years, many players have represented the Florida/Miami Marlins in the All-Star Game, including Luis Arraez and Jorge Soler on Tuesday night. In 1995, Jeff Conine earned MVP honors. He’s also the last Marlin to homer in the All-Star Game.

The first to do so was Sheffield. The first Marlin to pitch in the All-Star Game was Harvey. They each did so on this day three decades ago.

Mike Ferguson is a contributor for Fish on First, who covers Miami Marlins history. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.