Mike Redmond arrived in South Florida in 1992 as one of the first building blocks of the expansion Marlins, signing as an undrafted free agent out of Gonzaga. While he didn't carry the "first-round" pedigree of his teammates, he operated with a gritty, professional durability that kept him in the organization for over a decade.
After six years of grinding in the system, Redmond hit an immediate impact peak in May 1998, going 3-for-3 with a home run in his first major league game. He demonstrated complete strike zone control during his rookie year, batting.331 and showing his bat was a key asset even in part-time play. Quickly earning a reputation as a reliable mainstay who could stay "locked in" despite limited playing time, he won the Charlie Hough "Good Guy" Award in 1999 for his conduct on and off the field.
In '02, he set a career high with 89 games and a.305 batting average, serving as a specialized foil to starters. His Marlins legacy was cemented in 2003 when he backed up Iván Rodríguez on the way to the World Series. Though his hits mostly were singles, 380 in total, his skill in managing pitchers and delivering clutch hits made him a clubhouse giant.
Redmond signed with Minnesota after the 2004 season.
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