The 2003 Florida Marlins: Pro Player Stadium, Flawless Uniforms, and an Unbelievable Run to the World Series

I grew up a twenty minute drive from what is now Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins and landlord to the Miami Hurricanes. Over the years the stadium has been known by many names as corporate sponsors have come and go; likely realizing their tens of millions of dollars to sponsor the home of a consistently below-average football team wasn't producing an ROI. Initially named Joe Robbie Stadium in 1987, after the founder of the Miami Dolphins, its since been referred to as Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Dolphin Stadium (twice), Land Shark Stadium, Sun Life Stadium and New Miami Stadium.

That stadium, regardless of name, has housed plenty of dissapointment. From the 1-15 Dolphins in 2007, to seemingly endless seasons of the Marlins fighting to break .500. But in the Fall of 2003, Pro Player Stadium was the home to the unlikeliest of champions; a group of players that nobody but themselves believed in.

It's incredibly important to note that Pro Player Stadium in 2003 was perfection. Bright orange and teal, and often very empty, seats. Covered seats in center field behind a wall whose shape didn't make any geometric sense. The elevating seats above a left-field wall that provided scores from around the league. The steep and winding walkways to the upper deck (if you know, you know). The legendary beer vendor with an elephant hat yelling "ICE COLD BEER HERE!"; RIP Darryl Johnson. It was a park where people went to enjoy a baseball game when the home team often wasn't giving much to cheer for. But in 2003, that perfect stadium was home to the perfectly imperfect Florida Marlins.

On March 26, 2003, ESPN writer Joe Morgan published his season preview outlining teams he believed had the best chances to win the World Series. From the National League, Morgan outlined the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, and had the Chicago Cubs as his sleeper team. Of the 27 ESPN 'experts' who released season predictions, not one had the Marlins making the playoffs. Simply put, they were an afterthought.

Heading into the season the Marlins made a few uncharacteristic deals to alter their lineup. They signed 10 time Gold Glove Winning catcher in Ivan 'Pudge' Rodriguez and they traded Charles Johnson and Preston Wilson to the Colorado Rockies for centerfielder Juan Pierre.

It was a rough start for the Marlins who started the season 16-22 and fired manager Mike Torborg in mid-May. To replace Torborg, the Marlins turned to 72 year-old Jack McKeon. McKeon, whose managerial career started 30 years earlier in Kansas City, came out of a two year retirement to right a ship quickly veering off course. By May 22nd, the Marlins were the worst team in the MLB with a 19-29 record.

What Marlins faithful didn't know at the time was that help was on the way. Dontrelle Willis was called up by the team from Double-A in May. Willis would go 11-2 in his first 17 starts. A lefty with a dramatic leg kick, 'D-Train 'was also a menace at the plate and an instant fan favorite. Future Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera was also called up from Double-A; ever heard of him? In his first major league game, Cabrera hit a walk off home run to center field. Jeff Connie, aka Mr. Marlin, who was a member of the Marlins 1997 World Series team, was traded back to the Marlins from the Baltimore Orioles. Despite finishing the season 10 games back behind the division winning Atlanta Braves, the Marlins were able to capture the NL Wild Card.

The Marlins matched up with the San Francisco Giants in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. The Giants finished the regular season with a record of 100-61 and were favored against The Fish. After dropping the first game, the Marlins would go into game four up two games to one in a best of five series. With two outs in the top of the 9th, the Giants had runners on first and second and were down 6-7. Jeffrey Hammond drove a ball to left field which Jeff Conine caught on a one-hopper and fired to home to stop the tying run from crossing home plate. The throw beat the runner who collided with catcher Ivan Rodriguez, sending them both to the ground. Pudge infamously stood up from the collision, showing off to the crowd that he didn't drop the ball while dropping a few f-bombs. Pro Player Stadium descended into chaos as the Marlins moved on to the National League Championship Series.

The Cubs were looking for their first Wold Series since 1908 and looked well on their way to heading back to the Fall Classic. In the best of seven series, the Cubs won games two, three, and four. After the Marlins took game five at home, the Cubs needed to win just one of two games under the lights of Wrigley Field to advance. Game 6 of the series will forever remain a moment in baseball lore. In the top of the 8th inning, the Cubs were up 3-1 and five outs from closing out the series. Marlins shortstop Alex Gonzalez sent a foul ball that drifted towards the stands. As Cubs left fielder Moises Alou jumped to catch the ball, Cubs fan Steve Bartman (among other fans) simultaneously tried to catch the ball and prevented Alou from making the catch Alou famously fumed and pointed at Bartman who instantly became the most hated person in Chicago. The Cubs would not recover as the Marlins would rally for seven runs in their half of the inning and winning game six 8-3. The Marlins would take game seven in Chicago by a score of 9-6 to head to the World Series; facing off against the Yankees who were in the midst of a dynasty. The Cubs would have to wait another 13 years before they'd get a shot at the World Series.

The Yankees, obviously, were heavily favored and in their sixth World Series in the last eight seasons. After winning 101 games in the regular season, they beat the Twins and Red Sox en route to the World Series. The Yankees would win two of the first three against the Marlins; it seemed as if the Marlins run of destiny was going to fall just short. The Marlins would, however, win the next three games to take home their second world series in the last seven years. Josh Beckett threw a complete game shut-out in New York to clinch the series and was named series MVP. Joe Torre, Yankees Manager and the 55,000 New York faithful were absolutely stunned as the underdogs dog-piled the infield. I was at two of the World Series games at Pro Player Stadium (thank you Mom & Dad), and can still visualize the view from the center field upper-deck. I also remember only being allowed to stay home from school after one of the games. My sister strategically stayed home after the second game (I used mine after the first), and I was pissed. Patience has never been my thing.

Although most of the roster would return in 2004, the Marlins were unable to bottle the magic of the 2003 season. The Marlins would move to Miami ahead of the 2012 season which saw them undergo a name change (Miami Marlins) and a rebranding. Swapping the beautiful teal, white, and black, for yellow, red, and black. It doesn't hit the same and the charm of the team disappeared as they traveled south down I-95 to their new home at LoanDepot Park. It would be 17 seasons before they would make the playoffs again, and it took a modified season in 2020 thanks to Covid for them to squeak in. The 2003 Florida Marlins will forever be one of the most unlikeliest World Series winners. From the bottom of the league, to hiring a 73 year old manager who had been retired for two years, to taking down the winningest franchise in baseball history who had multiple future hall of famers on the roster. Anything is possible in baseball. Go Fish.