1997 – NLCS Game 5: 6–2 win over Greg Maddux
The only franchise to have never appeared in back-to-back postseasons.
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. The team plays its home games at LoanDepot Park.
Quick Facts
- Series
- 1997 NLCS (Marlins vs. Braves)
- Franchise founding year
- 1993
- Series result
- Marlins won 4–2
- Opposing ace faced
- Greg Maddux (Atlanta Braves)
- Subsequent achievement
- 1997 World Series champions vs. Cleveland Indians
- Significance
- First postseason series win and first World Series title in franchise history
Lore & Background
In the 1997 National League Championship Series, the Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 4–2. Game 5 was the clinching game, won by the Marlins at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. Rookie pitcher Liván Hernández struck out 15 Braves and outdueled multiple Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux to a 2–1 victory.
Reader's Guide
The Marlins have the second lowest winning percentage and fewest postseason appearances (four) among active MLB franchises. All four playoff appearances came as wild card teams. The franchise's only retired number is Jackie Robinson's #42; #16 has been out of circulation since the death of José Fernández in 2016.
Did You Know?
- The Marlins won the World Series during their first two playoff runs in 1997 and 2003.
- Jeff Conine was the only player to appear for the Marlins in the World Series in both championship seasons.
- The Marlins were the first team to win the World Series as a wild card.
- Greg Maddux finished his career with 355 wins, the most by a right-handed pitcher in the modern era.
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