The Washington Nationals play their last game of the regular 2011 season at Sun Life Stadium against the Florida Marlins. Today will be the last game played by the "Florida Marlins" before they officially become the "Miami Marlins" on November 11, 2011.
There will be a few festivities for "Closing Day" including a few current and former Nationals that once played or coached with Florida. See full list below from the Marlins website.
Wednesday, September 28 (4:10 p.m.) - 2011 Closing Day
Probable Pitchers: RHP Chris Volstad vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg (subject to change)
Giveaways: The first 10,000 fans will receive a Marlins 2012 Magnetic Schedule courtesy of University of Miami Health System
FIRST PITCH: In honor of the Florida Marlins' inaugural game in 1993, Charlie Hough will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, to be caught by Benito Santiago. UHealth - University of Miami Health System representatives will throw out the first pitches, as well.
CEREMONIAL WALL TEARDOWN: The Marlins are counting down the number of remaining home games until the opening of the New Marlins Ballpark in 2012. The Marlins Wall Teardown, located in the left field wall at Sun Life Stadium, will feature celebrities, Marlins icons, former and current players, season ticket holders, members of the corporate family, as well as special guests, who will assist in unveiling the number of remaining games. The ceremony will take place in left field at the end of the 5th inning.
2011 MARLINS CLOSING DAY PRESENTED BY UHEALTH - UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HEALTH SYSTEM: After nineteen seasons, over 1,500 games and two World Series titles, the Marlins and their fans are ready to say goodbye to Sun Life Stadium. The team will be playing its final game as the Florida Marlins on Wednesday, September 28. The Club will evolve into the Miami Marlins on November 11th and officially open the doors to the New Marlins Ballpark in Miami next April. Closing Day will feature plenty of celebrations and fan entertainment as the Marlins face off against the Washington Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 P.M. and the first 10,000 fans get a Miami Marlins 2012 Magnetic Schedule, courtesy of UHealth - University of Miami Health System. Throughout the game, fans can win Florida Marlins autographed and game-used memorabilia. To commemorate the 19 seasons as the Florida Marlins, the Club will host a special post-game on-field ceremony, during which the Florida Marlins All-Time team will be unveiled, as selected by the fans in an online voting campaign. The historic Closing Day will also feature the Top 10 Memories in Florida Marlins history, also voted on by the fans.
Current and former players and coaches will come together to celebrate this great milestone in the history of the franchise. Current and former players and coaches scheduled to attend include: Kurt Abbott, Antonio Alfonseca, Moises Alou, Alfredo Amezaga, Alex Arias, Bruce Aven, Ricky Bones, Bobby Bonilla, Kevin Brown, John Cangelosi, Jorge Cantu, Luis Castillo, Greg Colbrunn, Jeff Conine, Reid Cornelius, Darren Daulton, Andre Dawson, Jorge Fabregas, Alex Fernandez, Cliff Floyd, Chris Hammond, Lenny Harris, Bryan Harvey, Rick Helling, Livan Hernandez, Charlie Hough, Charles Johnson, Josh Johnson, Logan Kensing, Rene Lachemann, Al Leiter, Mike Lowell, Josias Manzanillo, Jack McKeon, Dan Meyer, Mike Mordecai, Robb Nen, Vladimir Nunez, Tony Perez, Mike Piazza, Scott Pose, Jay Powell, Hanley Ramirez, Pat Rapp, Mark Redman, Ivan Rodriguez, Cookie Rojas, Wayne Rosenthal, Benito Santiago, Tony Saunders, Gary Sheffield, Tony Taylor, Michael Tejera, Mark Wiley and Preston Wilson. (List is subject to change)
