Why is Giancarlo Stanton winning the home run derby so huge for Miami? Last week, in Major League Baseball's annual All-star festivities, Miami Marlin's slugger Giancarlo Stanton put on a show for the ages. All ten of the competition's longest home runs were hit by the Miami Right fielder. He now holds the record for most home runs ever hit in a single home run derby with 61. This legendary performance couldn't have come a second sooner for the young star in the second year of his 13 year, 325 million dollar contract.

For someone signed to such a large contract, many would say he has underperformed. It hasn't just been him underperforming, but his team too. The Marlins have failed to meet expectations for many years now, but especially since moving into their new stadium.

Part of the "deal" with Stanton's contract was that the organization put a winning team around him, in order for him to (hopefully) bring another World Series Championship to South Florida. The Marlins immediate future hasn't looked too promising up until the last couple months. The team is above .500, and in position to earn themselves a playoff spot for the first time since 2003. If they can follow through, make a playoff appearance, and maybe even win the franchise their third World Series, it might make us forget, if even for a second, the fact that Dee Gordon was suspended half the season for PED use, and that Dwyane Wade won't be wearing a Miami Heat uniform on opening night of the next NBA season.

Winning the Home Run Derby was one of the first steps taken in that direction, thanks to Giancarlo Stanton. If all else fails, and the only thing South Florida has to show for this calendar year is tears, toil, and a trophy for a home run derby, Stanton will at least be able to defend his title next season when the All-star game and all its festivities are held at Marlins park.