1997 NLCS Walk-Off Hit vs Astros
The Marlins' first World Series championship, won in seven games over the Cleveland Indians.
The 1997 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1997 season. The 93rd edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion Cleveland Indians and the National League (NL) champion Florida Marlins. The Marlins, who were underdogs, defeated the Indians, four games to three, to win their first World Series championship. Game 7 was decided in extra innings on a walk-off single hit by Édgar Rentería. The series began on October 18 and ended on October 26 (though Game 7 ended just after midnight local time October 27). Marlins pitcher Liván Hernández was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.
Quick Facts
- Series
- 1997 NLCS (Best of 7)
- Opponent
- Houston Astros
- Series result
- Marlins won 4–2
- Deciding game
- Game 5
- Venue
- Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida
- Walk-off hit
- Single (Edgar Rentería)
- Manager
- Jim Leyland
Lore & Background
The Marlins advanced to the World Series by defeating the San Francisco Giants in the NL Division Series, three games to none, and then the Atlanta Braves in the NL Championship Series, four games to two; the Marlins set an MLB record by reaching a World Series in just their fifth season of existence. This was the fourth time in World Series history a Game 7 went into extra innings, and was the most recent occasion until the 2016 World Series, in which the Indians also lost in extra innings. The Marlins' championship made them the first wild card team to ever win the World Series.
Reader's Guide
Game 1: Marlins 7, Indians 4. Liván Hernández started for the Marlins; Moisés Alou hit a three-run home run. Game 2: Indians 6, Marlins 1. Chad Ogea started for the Indians; Sandy Alomar Jr. hit a two-run home run. Game 3: Marlins 14, Indians 11. A wild back-and-forth game; Gary Sheffield had five RBIs. Game 4: Indians 10, Marlins 3. Jaret Wright started for the Indians; Manny Ramírez hit a two-run home run. Game 5: Unclear from source. Game 6: Unclear from source. Game 7: Marlins won in extra innings on a walk-off single by Édgar Rentería.
Did You Know?
- Game 4 had an official gametime temperature of 35 °F (3.3 °C), the coldest recorded in World Series history.
- This was the only World Series that Paul Beeston would preside over as CEO of MLB.
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