1997 World Series vs Indians (First Appearance)
The Marlins' first World Series championship, won as a wild card in just their fifth season.
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
- World series mvp
- Liván Hernández
- Setting
- Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens (now Hard Rock Stadium)
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: The first World Series game in the state of Florida. Liván Hernández started for the Marlins. Moisés Alou hit a three-run home run. Game 2: Kevin Brown started for the Marlins; Sandy Alomar Jr. hit a two-run home run for the Indians. Game 3: A wild back-and-forth game; the Marlins scored seven runs in the ninth inning. Gary Sheffield had five RBIs. Game 4: The coldest recorded World Series game at 35°F. Manny Ramírez hit a go-ahead two-run home run for the Indians. The series was tied 2–2.
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