2003 World Series - Florida Marlins vs New York Yankees

Florida Marlins 4
New York Yankees 2

October 18 - October 25, 2003

The 2003 World Series was the 100th anniversary of the Fall Classic.

The Yankees made their sixth Series appearance in eight years. The wild card Marlins were in their second Series in their tenth year.

In the opener at Yankee Stadium, Florida scored a run in the first. In the third, Derek Jeter hit a RBI single. Florida's Juan Pierre hit a two-run single in the fifth for a 3-1 lead. Yankee Bernie Williams homered in the sixth, his eighteenth post-season home run tying him with Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson. But reliever Ugueth Urbina saved a 3-2 Florida win.

In Game 2, Yankee Andy Pettitte tossed a 6-1 masterpiece on three days' rest. Hideki Matsui hammered a three-run blast in the first and Alfonso Soriano knocked a two-run shot in the fourth.

In Pro Player Stadium, Mike Mussina yielded one run in seven innings. In the eighth, Matsui broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out RBI single. New York cruised to another 6-1 win.

Game 4 was the last appearance by Hall of Fame pitcher Roger Clemens. In the first, Florida took a 3-0 lead. In the second, New York scored on a bases loaded sac-fly. Clemens exited in the seventh to a standing ovation. New York scored twice in the ninth, but Alex Gonzalez homered in the twelfth for a 4-3 Florida win.

In Game 5, Marlins starter Brad Penny allowed one over seven innings in a 6-4 win.

Back in the Bronx, Florida's Josh Beckett started on three days' rest. He completed a five-hit 2-0 shutout, clinching the title.

The 2003 World Series was Florida's second championship. Unlike the 1997 team of free-agent "mercenaries," the 2003 Marlins were a young team that looked to remain intact. The Yankees faced major changes.

Around the World:

• October 18 - Bolivian Gas War: President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada forced to resign and leave Bolivia.
• October 19 - Mother Teresa beatified by Pope John Paul II.
• October 20 - FDA approved ViiV Healthcare's Lexiva, an HIV treatment.
• October 23 - George W. Bush addressed Australian Parliament, shouted down by Green Party senators Kerry Nettle and Bob Brown.
• October 24 - Supersonic Concorde airliner made last commercial flight.
• October 25 - 5:37 PM: Cedar Fire reported in San Diego County, California's largest wildfire, 14 died.

2003 in Baseball:

• January 7 - Gary Carter and Eddie Murray elected into Hall of Fame.
• April 4 - Sammy Sosa hit 500^th HR.
• June 3 - Sosa ejected from game against Tampa Bay for using corked bat.
• June 13 - Roger Clemens the 21^st pitcher to win 300 games and the 3^rd to record 4,000 strikeouts.
• August 10 - Atlanta shortstop Rafael Furcal the twelfth player to turn unassisted triple play.
• September 22 - Tigers set AL record with 118^th loss, finishing 43-119. Only 1962 Mets have a worse record.