2003 Florida Marlins season

 

2003 Florida Marlins
Major league affiliations
National League (Since 1993) Eastern Division (Since 1993)
2003 Uniform
Location
Pro Player Stadium (Since 1993) Miami Gardens, Florida (Since 1993)
2003 Information
Owner(s)	Jeffrey Loria
Manager(s)	Jeff Torborg and Jack McKeon
Local television	FSN Florida
Local radio	WQAM WQBA (Spanish)

The 2003 Florida Marlins were the National League Wild Card Winners, the National League Champions, and the World Series Champions.

Offseason

The Marlins pulled of some blockbuster deals during the 2003 off season, the most impressive being that of 10-time Gold Glove winning catcher Iván Rodríguez. They also traded sluggers Cliff Floyd and Preston Wilson to the Rockies for lead-off man Juan Pierre.

Sluggish start

Jeff Torborg, the manager at the start of the season, lead the team to a 16-22 start, one of the worst in the league. They had lost their three top pitchers, A.J. Burnett, Josh Beckett and Mark Redman. On May 11, Torborg was fired and replaced with Jack McKeon, a fiery, 72 year old who began his managerial career way back in 1973 with the Kansas City Royals.

Midseason acquisitions

• Miguel Cabrera - 3B → called up from the AA Carolina Mudcats
• Jeff Conine - 1B → acquired from Baltimore in exchange for two minor league players^[1].
• Dontrelle Willis - LHP → called up from Mudcats.
• Ugueth Urbina - RHP → acquired from Texas in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez and two other minor league players^[2].

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Ivan Rodriguez	144	511	152	.297	16	85

Other batters

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI

Starting pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO

Other pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA

Relief pitchers

Player	G	W	L	SV	ERA	SO

Playoffs

With a 4-3 win over the New York Mets on September 26, the Marlins clinched their second wildcard in team history, and finishing with an overall record of 91-71.

Miraculously, the Marlins won the Division Series over the heavily favored San Francisco Giants. The series ended with a play at the plate with catcher Iván Rodríguez prevailing over Giants first baseman J.T. Snow. Coupled with a perfect throw from Conine and an amazing catch from Rodríguez, Snow was attempting to score by using a football type bulldozing move, but Ivan held on and the Marlins won, marking the first time that a post-season series ended with the potential tying run being thrown out at home plate.

The 2003 National League Championship Series is arguably the most famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) post-season series in MLB history. On one side, the Florida Marlins, the miracle who, just a few months before, were at the cellar of the NL. On the other side, the Chicago Cubs, the "lovable losers", who, for the first time in a long time, were so close to victory. The Cubs jumped to a quick 3 games to 1 lead and were the sure favorites to take the series. In Game five, an absolutely stellar performance by Josh Beckett brought the series back to Chicago, back to Wrigley Field, where the home team has always had the advantage. With the Cubs needing to win only one game, and having studs Mark Prior and Kerry Wood on the hill those two games, most people thought the Marlins hope was over. In Game Six, the Cubs enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 lead with one out in the 8th Inning when it all fell apart, and the Marlins went on to win the game, tying the series. In Game Seven, Brad Penny drove it home for the fish, clinching their second pennant in 6 years.

In the World Series, the underdog Marlins prevailed over the Yankees, 4 games to two. This world series marked the 100th anniversary of the annual event, although due to the strike year of 1994, it was the 99th series played. Josh Beckett was named the World Series MVP.

Quote

"Trying to win it all again. Posada, slow roller, right side. Beckett picks it up, tags Posada, and the Florida Marlins are World Champions. The Marlins have shocked the Yankees. Stunned New York. And this improbable team, improbable ride. They end up on top."--Joe Buck, FOX Sports.

• 2003 Florida Marlins team page at www.baseball-almanac.com

Florida Marlins

Miami metropolitan area, Florida The Franchise – History • Seasons • Records • Players • Managers and Owners • Broadcasters Ballparks – Dolphin Stadium (Home) • Roger Dean Stadium (Spring Training) Culture – Billy the Marlin • Fire sale Rivalries – Citrus Series • Atlanta Braves Important Figures – Carl Barger • Wayne Huizenga • Jeff Conine • Mike Lowell • Luis Castillo • Josh Beckett • Dontrelle Willis• Jack McKeon • Jim Leyland • Ivan Rodriguez Retired Numbers – 5 • 42 Key Personnel – Owner: Jeffrey Loria • General Manager: Larry Beinfest • Manager: Fredi González World Series Champions (2) 1997 • 2003 National League Championships (2) 1997 • 2003 Seasons 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 Minor League Affiliates Albuquerque Isotopes(AAA) • Carolina Mudcats(AA) • Jupiter Hammerheads(A) • Greensboro Grasshoppers(A) • Jamestown Jammers(A) • Gulf Coast Marlins(Rookie) • VSL Marlins(Rookie) Other Assets None

2003 Major League Baseball Playoffs
2003 World Series
American League Championship Series American League Division Series AL Playoff teams: Boston | Minnesota | New York | Oakland
National League Championship Series National League Division Series NL Playoff teams: Atlanta | Chicago | Florida | San Francisco

References

1. ^ http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/transactions/index.jsp?c_id=fla&year=2003&month=9
2. ^ http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/transactions/index.jsp?c_id=mlb&year=2003&month=7

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