Giancarlo Stanton got reacquainted with Marlins fans Tuesday in his first game at Marlins Park since being traded to the Yankees last December.
Stanton also received a long ovation from the larger-than-usual crowd in Miami (boosted by thousands of Yankees fans) during his first at-bat. Stanton tipped his helmet and waved to the fans before he entered the batter's box.
He then delivered a line-drive single to left field against Miami starting pitcher Pablo Lopez.
Unfortunately for Stanton, he was doubled off first base when the next batter, Aaron Hicks, lined out to first baseman Derek Dietrich.
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UPDATE: The Marlins played a Stanton tribute video in the middle of the second inning. Stanton tipped his cap to the fans at the end.
Stanton tribute video to start the bottom of the second. Nicely done by the Marlins. pic.twitter.com/inFnFU3Wxi
— FOX Sports Marlins (@FOXMarlins) August 21, 2018
The trade of Stanton for second baseman Starlin Castro and prospects was part of an offseason payroll purge by the Marlins' new ownership group led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter. Miami relieved itself of most of the remainder of Stanton's record 13-year, $325 million contract.
Fellow outfielders Christian Yelich (Brewers) and Marcell Ozuna (Cardinals) were also dealt in the offseason, as was second baseman Dee Gordon (Mariners). Miami traded first baseman Justin Bour to the Phillies before the July 31 deadline.
The lone cornerstone position player still with the club is catcher J.T. Realmuto, who expressed a desire during spring training to be traded.
UPDATE 2: Stanton finished 2 for 6 (he hit a line-drive double off the left-field wall his third time up) with three strikeouts in New York's 2-1, 12-inning victory.
UPDATE 3: Stanton was touched by the early-game reception. "That was really cool, definitely more than I could have asked for," he told YES Network after the game. "That's going to be one of the more special moments of my career, for sure."
