Gurriel's legacy, popularity shine through as he faces former team

MIAMI -- Yuli Gurriel was considered one of the greatest Cuban ballplayers even before he took his talents stateside and made his long-awaited Major League debut as a 32-year-old on Aug. 21, 2016.

Gurriel -- who signed a five-year deal worth $47.5 million with the Astros in July 2016, shortly after defecting with his younger brother, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. -- went on to craft a legacy of success with the Astros. He captured two World Series championships over seven seasons, claimed the American League batting title and a Gold Glove Award at first base in '21 and twice made postseason history for plate appearances without a strikeout.

Now 39, Gurriel faced his former team on Monday night for the first time since signing with the Marlins on March 10, starting at first base and batting sixth. The Astros planned on giving him his 2022 World Series ring prior to Tuesday’s game at loanDepot park.

“It's going to be very exciting just to catch up with some of my teammates,” Gurriel said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr. ahead of the series opener. “It was seven years I spent in that organization, so [it's] going to be also a great, exciting series, mostly because of the competition. We both are competing for something important. And we've got to go out there and compete.”

Outside of the statistics and on-field skill, one of the biggest things the Astros miss is Gurriel's professionalism and consistent calm attitude. To many within the organization, Gurriel is like a brother.

“Obviously first and foremost, he's a great player,” said Alex Bregman, who was Gurriel's teammate for the 2017 and '22 World Series championships. “If you look at his career, dating back to when he was playing in Cuba, he may be one of the better players to play baseball, ever. So the baseball knowledge is one thing, but also just the teammate and friend that he was to everybody was amazing.”

Added Astros manager Dusty Baker: “Yuli is probably one of the most popular guys that's ever come through the organization, not only with the players, [but] with the fans, everybody. Yuli comes to play, and he plays hard, and he plays smart.

“And, you know, we miss Yuli. I mean, we were hoping -- at least I was -- to sign Yuli, because we would find a place for Yuli, even though we signed José Abreu.”

When the Astros decided not to re-sign Gurriel in the offseason, he held no hard feelings. As Spring Training reached its third week, the Marlins signed him to a Minor League contract with an invitation to big league camp.

Gurriel made the Opening Day roster serving as the backup to first baseman Garrett Cooper, who was dealt to the Padres ahead of the Trade Deadline. Now, Gurriel is doing the same for Cooper's replacement, Josh Bell, though Monday marked Gurriel's third straight start at first.

At the beginning, the veteran first baseman found it tough to adapt to a bench role for the first time in his career, but he is happy with where he is now. While Gurriel is just 1-for-10 with one walk and two RBIs as a pinch-hitter, he is batting .272 with a .721 OPS in 62 starts.

After reaching the AL Championship Series in six seasons with Houston, Gurriel hoped to bring that desire for excellence to Miami and help first-time manager Skip Schumaker build a winning culture.

In Sunday's dramatic walk-off victory over the Yankees, in which the Marlins trailed by as many as six, Gurriel sparked the five-run ninth inning with a double.

After losing 93 games in 2022, Miami found itself in playoff position entering Monday because of its resiliency. Not only did the Marlins secure their 31st comeback win of the season, but their eight walk-off victories in '23 are tied for the most in the Majors.

“I will say that one of the details -- or the things that I've seen in this clubhouse -- that's similar to the ones that I've seen in the Astros' organization is that this group of guys, they never give up,” Gurriel said. “It's something that [has] been surprising me every time I see it. They never give up. They always work hard until the end of the game.”

He fit right in with that work ethic.

“I think the Marlins are very lucky to have Yuli, especially with all the young players that they have, because the guy, he still has skill,” Baker said. “And his legs are still good. Usually, when you get [to] his age, that's the first thing that goes is your legs. But this guy, he can still run -- not only run, but he knows how to run and when to run. We just hope, with all the praise I’ve just given to Yuli, I hope he doesn't hurt us too bad.”