PHOENIX − When they retire Sandy Alcantara’s jersey with the Miami Marlins, when they build a statue of him outside loanDepot Park, when fans tell their kids and grandkids about his legacy, they’ll talk about the night of Sept. 16, 2026
This was the night Alcantara, the Marlins’ 2022 Cy Young winner, one of the greatest pitchers in franchise history, who has thrown more innings than any pitcher in baseball this year, made the ultimate sacrifice for his team.
The last time Alcantara made a relief appearance
Alcantara, just two days after throwing 101 pitches as a starter, not only made his first relief appearance in nine seasons Wednesday, but produced the first save of his illustrious career Wednesday, preserving the Marlins’ 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Marlins’ season still
is on life support, sitting 7 ½ games out of a wild-card berth with just nine games remaining, but thanks to Alcantara, they’re still alive.
“It’s a testament to him wanting to win,’’ Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said, “and keep us in this thing until there’s no pulse.’’
The Marlins players, clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth, actually couldn’t believe what they were seeing when Alcantara emerged from the bullpen. He hadn’t pitched in relief since his 2017 rookie season while he was with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was traded that winter to Miami with Zac Gallen and two other prospects for All-Star outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
Why Alcantara's save was a monumental moment
And never once did he pitch in relief with the Marlins, making 201 career starts and pitching 1,272 innings.
In fact, no pitcher in baseball history had ever recorded a save while leading the league in innings since Dodgers pitcher Orel Hershiser in May, 1987, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The only other pitchers to achieve the feat were Hall of Famer Phil Niekro in 1978 and Andy Messersmith in 1975.
Yet, he was, 48 hours after starting Monday, willing his body, his arm and his mind to secure the Marlins’ victory.
“When you’re a franchise player, and someone who’d been the face of your franchise for this many years and is willing to do that,’’ McCullough said, “it’s great for the rest of our group to see that. He’s creating his own legacy.
“He’s going to have his own wing one day at loanDepot, and rightfully so, for what he’s done.’’
How the Marlins players reacted to Alcantara's save
The moment the final out was made, the Marlins acted almost as if they just clinched a playoff berth, with McCullough saying he hadn’t felt such an adrenaline rush since his first day on the job.
The Marlins made sure they were going to savor this moment for posterity, with Alcantara climbing into a laundry cart after the game and getting sprayed with adult beverages before boarding their flight to San Diego.
“I think that was the best thing in the world for this team to watch him go out there and get the first save of his career,’’ Marlins starter Ryan Gusto said. “I can’t even explain how fired up we were. I mean, to be watching him in that situation on one day rest is insane. I mean, we were loving every single second of it. …
“The dude is an inspiration. He’s a leader in the clubhouse. Everybody loves him.’’
How this moment ranks in Marlins history
The Marlins certainly have had fabulous moments with two World Series championships, but this was a moment that will live in Marlins’ fame, with one of the biggest stars in their franchise history showing the ultimate sacrifice for his team.
“I think you saw the excitement from the group because of what he’s meant to this franchise,’’ McCullough said, “but also certainly to go out there at a moment like that. …
“Everyone in our organization and everyone in this clubhouse has an appreciation for Sandy and what he’s done, and this is just another way, with his unselfishness, and his desire to win, and win in Miami.’’
Will Alcantara spend the rest of his career with the Marlins?
Alcantara, who had been on the trade block in past winters, but not this last trade deadline, made it perfectly clear after the game that he wants to spend the rest of his career in Miami. This is the final year of his five-year, $56 million contract extension. The Marlins have a $21 million club option in 2027 on Alcantara that they plan to exercise, but if it’s up to Alcantara, he’d love to work out another extension and never leave.
“This is an organization that gave me an opportunity since 2017,’’ Alcantara said, “to establish myself as a starting pitcher. So, I trust and I believe everything this team has been doing. I want to be here for a long time. I just want to win for this team.’’
Certainly, the Marlins are slowly moving towards respectability, after losing 100 games just two years ago. And if they’re going to get back to the postseason, they’ll have to jump on Alcantara’s shoulders. He is 13-10 with a 3.84 ERA this season, pitching an MLB-leading 206 innings, and yes, with a save, too.
How did Alcantara do in his previous start?
Alcantara, who pitched five innings Monday, knew that the Marlins’ bullpen was fatigued after an 11-inning victory Tuesday. He told Marlins pitching coach Daniel Moskos when he arrived Wednesday afternoon that he would be available out of the bullpen if needed, the second time in two weeks that he volunteered. In the sixth inning, with the Marlins leading 4-2, he came into the clubhouse, put on his full uniform, changed into his spikes, and went to the bullpen.
He came into the game in the ninth with the Marlins clinging to a 4-3 lead against a team that leads the major leagues in comebacks and is still in the wild-card hunt. He gave up a towering fly ball to Pavin Smith that left fielder Heriberto Hernandez caught against the fence, and then a 396-foot blast by Tim Tawa that traveled to the warning track. He walked Laars Nootbaar, bringing up dangerous Ketel Marte, with speedy Jordan Lawlar inserted as a pinch runner. Marte fouled off the first pitch. Alcantara threw a 100-mph fastball that missed on the second pitch. Lawlar tried to steal second. Catcher Joe Mack threw a perfect strike to shortstop Otto Lopez, who applied the tag, and after the replay review was confirmed, the game was over.
And the celebration was underway.
There was no need for his teammates to even convince him to get into the laundry cart for the joy ride.
“It was a great experience,’’ Alcantara said. “I just get naked, get in the cart, and it was a good experience. We had fun together.’’
Said Gusto: “I mean, it was insane. There was much more celebration for his first career save than really any other win we’ve had this season.’’
When is Alcantara scheduled to pitch next?
Alcantara, who’s still scheduled to pitch Sunday against the Padres, says he’d be glad to keep volunteering for spot relief roles. The only difference is that he’d love his next future ones to be in the postseason, still admiring watching Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitch in relief in Game 7 of the World Series after starting Game 6. And it was in this same building at Chase Field 25 years ago that Hall of Famer Randy Johnson also achieved the feat, winning Game 6 against the New York Yankees, and then coming into relief and winning Game 7 for the D-backs first World Series title.
“This is my first one,’’ Alcantara said, “so hopefully they keep giving me the opportunity. If we make the playoffs, I would do it.
“I’m here to win.’’
The man certainly proved that, in front of the entire organization, that will be talked about for generations.
“I think he’ll always remember this night,’’ Gusto said. “It was pretty special. I know I definitely will.’’
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sandy Alcántara's stunning heroics save Marlins season – for now
