Having grown up in South Florida, first baseman Gaby Sanchez said he has a lot of fond memories of the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium.

“I came here for a World Series game. That was a lot of fun seeing 60,000 people rooting for us,’’ Sanchez said Monday. “I was actually here when Anibal [ Sanchez] threw his no-hitter [in 2006].

“I was in the stands watching that. And I was here when [former Braves first baseman] Andres Galarraga almost hit it out of the stadium. Those are the memories I’ll take with me.

“But as a baseball player I’m definitely not going to miss playing in a football stadium. It’s going to be nice to be able to play in a baseball stadium, under cover, not having to worry about rain.’’

The Marlins, who will move into a new retractable roof stadium next April where the Orange Bowl once stood, had to deal with the rain yet again Monday as they kicked off their final series at Sun Life against the Nationals. A 57-minute delay — the ninth of the season — brings the total of minutes of baseball delayed by rain this season at Sun Life to 669.

Moving out

Aside from dealing with the rain, the Marlins returned home Monday from Milwaukee and got busy cleaning out their lockers.

Although the season won’t end until Wednesday, the moving process will be completed before then. Monday, players began boxing up their personal belongings, tossing out garbage and autographing jerseys, shoes and other memorabilia that will be sold or given away by the team in the coming months.

Aside from a new stadium, the Marlins will also have new uniforms, new team colors, a new logo and be known as the Miami Marlins.

Monday, stadium workers at Sun Life began painting walls and preparing the stadium for a full conversion to football.

They even tested out the fire alarm system as the Marlins were getting dressed in the clubhouse, prompting some players to joke, “Man, they really want us out of here.’’

“I have a buddy who plays for the Twins. When they got out of a football stadium and into their baseball stadium, he said it was awesome, like going from C class to A-plus class,’’ reliever Burke Badenhop said. “We’re definitely looking forward to it. My four years here we’ve been getting cheered against at home and on the road.

“I’m just wondering if they’re going to cement the dugout right after that last out Wednesday, seal it up and do away with it. But no, it’s going to be nice to see that last number get torn down.’’

To commemorate their 19 seasons as the Florida Marlins, the club will host a special postgame on-field ceremony Wednesday and reveal the Florida Marlins’ all-time team as well as the top 10 memories in club history, as voted by the fans.

Espada interviewed

Marlins third-base coach Joe Espada isn’t considered the front-runner to be the team’s next manager when they open their new stadium.

But at the very least, he received a courtesy interview Monday morning.

“We sat in the office and had a really good conversation,’’ Espada said of his meeting with owner Jeffrey Loria and team officials.

“We spoke about a variety of issues. I thought it went really well. My second one. I felt more comfortable. I feel like I’m more ready for the job.

“I’ve been part of this organization now for six years between the minor leagues and big leagues. I feel like I know these players, I know what they need. I’ll be a good leader. Hopefully it works out.’’

The Marlins, who clinched last place in the National League East when they were swept by the Brewers during the weekend, are expected to make a hard run at White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen — if he becomes available. Nationals third-base coach Bo Porter, the Marlins’ third-base and outfield coach from 2007 to 2009, also was interviewed Monday.