MIAMI – In the spring of 1993, a baseball franchise was born, and since the very beginning, the Florida Marlins have called Sun Life Stadium home.
On Wednesday night, the team formerly known as the Florida Marlins played its last game at the stadium, formerly known as Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium and Land Shark Stadium.
Recommended Videos
"It's bittersweet," said Alex Ruiz, a fan. "I am going to miss the area -- a lot of good people, a lot of good, fond memories, but there is going to be a lot more."
Slideshow:
Over the years, the building has seen some amazing moments, and the proof is in its glass display cases. The team has won two World Series championships, and the first was celebrated under the lights after a Game 7 at home to a stunned sellout crowd of 60,000.
Tailgaters at the team's last game at the stadium Wednesday said they look back on watching the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium fondly because of who they shared it with.
'Like my father who passed away, my uncle who passed away also -- it's just bringing back memories of those people that I loved and liked to come to the game with," said Filemon Ruiz, a season ticket holder.
Andy Here has been working as a roving peanut vendor at the stadium since the inaugural Marlins game there in 1993.
"I enjoy the fans," he said. "I have regular customers, and it is a little depressing. I don't know whether I will be able to go to the new stadium or not."
Jim Aalderink goes to see stadiums open and close, and he has seen many last games at closing stadiums over the past 20 years. He said the atmosphere is special.
"Nostalgic -- it's like a wake," Aalderink said. "It's like saying goodbye to a good, old friend."
On Wednesday afternoon, the last pitch was thrown inside the stadium, leaving it as the home only to the Miami Dolphins.
On April 4, 2012 the renamed Miami Marlins will make their debut in a brand new stadium that rose from the rubble of the former Orange Bowl.
The Marlins will also debut with a new manager, Ozzie Guillen. He is no stranger to the Marlins; he was a third-base coach when they won the World Series in 2003.
Here's to history repeating itself.