On this day, the Miami Marlins made history 19 years ago.
Now that we are talking a lot about underdogs, they made the 2003 World Series and very few people gave them any chance.
The American League’s representative, the New York Yankees, had just eliminated the Boston Red Sox in seven thrilling games.
But, the job for the Yankees was not finished.
We don’t know if they underestimated an extremely young Marlins team, or if they were physically and mentally spent after their grueling series with the Red Sox.
What we do know is that the Marlins shocked the sports universe and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in baseball history.
“19 years ago today, Josh Beckett told the baseball world that the ball and the game and the series were his. And we all got to share the moment and keep the memory,” David Samson tweeted.
19 years ago today, Josh Beckett told the baseball world that the ball and the game and the series were his. And we all got to share the moment and keep the memory. #Marlins #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/OFJ0fb5eWc
— David P. Samson (@DavidPSamson) October 25, 2022
The Marlins won the series 4-2.
A Really Talented Team
That last out by Josh Beckett, a slow roller to first in which he tagged Jorge Posada before he reached base, was perhaps the poster of that series.
A young budding ace happily jumping around and embracing his teammates.
That 2003 Marlins team had a winning aura and something special about it.
It had Juan Pierre, Luis Castillo, Mike Lowell, Juan Encarnacion, Derrek Lee, Beckett, Jeff Conine, Alex Gonzalez, Brad Penny, Carl Pavano, a very young Miguel Cabrera, and veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez leading the way.
It was a special group.
Sadly, the front office disbanded the team after winning, in a similar fashion as after the 1997 World Series.
Still, we all remember how the Marlins beat the Yankees in a Fall Classic.
NEXT: Marlins Analyst Discusses How The Team Is Taking Its Time