Before he was slinging touchdowns and rewriting the NFL history books, Dan Marino was a force on the baseball diamond. That’s right, long before he donned the iconic Dolphins aqua and orange, Marino was a high school pitching phenom, boasting a pristine 23-0 record at Central Catholic High in Pittsburgh. His arm was so impressive that he caught the eye of Major League Baseball scouts, leading to his selection in the MLB draft.
Fast forward to 2025, and Marino was back on the mound, but this time for a different kind of sporting nod. He took center stage at the Miami Marlins’ season opener, delivering the ceremonial first pitch to kickstart the year. Capturing a piece of history, Marino’s pitch was right on target, much like his legendary throws on the gridiron.
Who better to catch this historic toss than Joe Rose, a well-known figure in South Florida’s media scene and the very man who snagged Marino’s first NFL touchdown pass back in 1983 against the Los Angeles Raiders? Together, they bridged decades of Miami sports lore in a single moment.
Though Marino was drafted as a shortstop by the Kansas City Royals in the fourth round, he opted to pursue his true calling on the football field at the University of Pittsburgh. This decision kicked off a storied NFL career that saw him redefine what’s possible for quarterbacks, setting records for passing yards, touchdowns, completions, and attempts during his tenure with the Dolphins from 1983 to 1999.
While Marino’s on-field exploits are legendary, his influence on the Dolphins’ organization continues. He serves as a special advisor to the team’s vice chairman, president, and CEO, lending his wealth of knowledge and experience to the next generation of players and executives. Just two weeks ago, Marino marked the 25th anniversary of his retirement, a fitting reminder of his lasting impact on the sport.
And Marino’s story is not entirely unique. He joins a list of NFL quarterbacks with baseball roots, sharing the diamond-to-gridiron journey with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, John Elway, and Tom Brady. Marino’s dual-sport background is just another testament to the blend of talent and choice that shaped his legendary career with the Dolphins.
