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Injuries became Marshall's biggest impediment to matching his extraordinary minor league success. In 1981, the 6'5" 215-lb slugger was named Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year for winning the first Pacific Coast League triple crown in 25 years (.373, 34 HR, 137 RBI). Handed the Dodgers' right-field job in 1983, he was beaned by Jeff Reardon on April 9, and took two months to start hitting. A foot operation cost him part of 1984.

Healthy (except for an appendectomy) in 1985, he had 28 HR and 95 RBI. He was leading the NL with 17 long balls in June of 1986 when back strain set in; he finished with 19. His problems in 1987 included a wart removal, food poisoning, and back, wrist, and ankle injuries.

After a healthy and relatively productive 1988 (.277, 20 homers, 82 RBI), the injury bug hit again in 1989, and Marshall was dealt to the Mets following the season along with Alejandro Pena in a deal that brought Juan Samuel to Los Angeles. He struggled in New York, and was again traded, this time to Boston, where he his offense improved in a part-time role. Attempting to resurrect his career with a trip to Japan, he struggled overseas as well, batting .246 with nine homers with the Nippon Ham Fighters in 1992 before hanging up the cleats.

Marshall hit what appeared to be a home run in his first major league at-bat in September 1981, but the umpires missed the call and he wound up with a double; Giants right fielder Jack Clark later admitted the ball had landed in the stands and bounced out.

While still single, Marshall's friendship with Belinda Carlisle of the rock group The Go-Go's was the talk of Tinsel Town. (TG/AF)