On the 100th anniversary of the World Series, the Florida Marlins made their second Fall Classic appearance in six seasons. Their opponent would be the New York Yankees, making their sixth appearance in the last seven years. Veteran and experienced managers coached both clubs. For the Yankees, Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre, while the Marlins had Jack McKeon. Florida won their first World Series title in 1997, five seasons after establishment. Now, just six years later, the Marlins returned to the November Classic to add more gold to their collection. During this enticing matchup, the Florida Marlins would win their second World Series championship in six games. Marlins starting pitcher Josh Beckett went on to win World Series MVP after two strong outings against New York.
2003 World Series Highlights
Marlins & Yankees Journey to the World Series
Both teams lost the first game of the Divisional Series round against their respective opponents. Then, the Marlins and Yankees won the next three games, advancing into the next round. New York would go on to play their biggest rival, the Boston Red Sox, in the ALCS. At the same time, Florida faced a hungry Chicago Cubs squad. The Yankees would go back and forth with the Red Sox during this series. In the end, however, the Bronx Bombers would be victorious in game seven, 6-5, coming out on top in extra innings.
Florida faced a deficit; they were down three games to one against the Cubs. This team outplayed and outscored the Chicago Cubs at every angle during the next three games to come out on top in this series. After an incredible performance, Catcher Iván Rodriguez won the National League Championship Series MVP. Pudge collected nine hits and smacked two home runs while bringing ten runs batted in through seven games. New York would have home-field advantage in the 2003 World Series after the AL defeated the NL 7-6 during the All-Star Game.
The Fight for a Champion
Two teams remain as we head into the 2003 World Series. Iván Rodriguez scored all three runs for his team during game one in New York. He hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning and a two-run single in the fifth in a 3-2 victory. New York’s offense was in full swing during games two and three. The Bronx Bombers scored six runs each game, with Florida combined for two runs in games two and three. With the Yankees now leading the series 2-1, the Marlins knew they were in trouble if they didn’t respond quickly.
During game four of the 2003 World Series, the Marlins held a 3-1 lead for most of the ballgame. Yankees’ Rubén Sierra smashed a triple into the right field corner, tying this game up at three apiece. This game would head into extra innings, and we wouldn’t see anything until the 12th inning. In the top of the 12th, Marlins shortstop Álex González drilled a solo homer off Jeff Weaver, clearing the fences for a Florida win. The following game, Florida held a solid lead for most of the game. However, the Yankees would start a rally at the top of the ninth, scoring two runs. Still, it wouldn’t be enough to overcome Florida’s substantial lead. With the Marlins winning game five 6-4, they needed one more win to secure their second World Series title.
In game six of the 2003 World Series, Florida decided to give the start to Josh Beckett, who was on only three days of rest. Beckett went on to pitch a gem, throwing a shutout through nine innings, allowing just five hits and two walks, with nine strikeouts to give Florida a 2-0 win and their franchise’s second championship. Beckett won World Series MVP after having a 1.10 ERA with 19 strikeouts in only two appearances. Florida Marlins manager Jack McKeon became the oldest manager until Dusty Baker in 2022 to win a World Series.
Marlins Future & The Hall of Famers
As years passed, the Yankees would have three players and their manager be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Derek Jeter, Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera, and Joe Torre would eventually all head to Cooperstown. For Florida, Iván Rodriguez was the only player from that 2003 World Series squad to be inducted.
Main Photo Credits: H. Darr Beiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
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