1997 World Series

The 1997 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's 1997 season. It was the 93rd edition of the World Series and a best-of-seven playoff between the American League champion Cleveland Indians and the National League champion Florida Marlins. The Marlins, who were considered underdogs, defeated the Indians, four games to three, to win their first World Series championship.

The series began on October 18 and ended on October 26, with Game 7 ending just after midnight on October 27. Game 7 went into extra innings and was decided by a walk-off single hit by Édgar Rentería. Marlins pitcher Liván Hernández was named the World Series Most Valuable Player.

The Indians advanced to the World Series by defeating the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series and then the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Championship Series. The Marlins advanced by defeating the San Francisco Giants in the NL Division Series and then the Atlanta Braves in the NL Championship Series. 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 that a Game 7 went into extra innings, and it would not happen again until the 2016 World Series. The Marlins' championship made them the first wild card team to ever win the World Series.

Summary

See also: 1997 Major League Baseball postseason

NL Florida Marlins (4) vs. AL Cleveland Indians (3)

Matchups

The 1997 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's 1997 season. It featured the American League champion Cleveland Indians and the National League champion Florida Marlins. The Marlins, considered underdogs, won the series four games to three, securing their first World Series title.

The series began in Florida, with the Marlins winning the first game. The Indians tied the series in the second game. The third game was a high-scoring affair, with the Marlins winning to take a 2–1 series lead. The fourth game was played in very cold weather, and the Indians won to tie the series again. The Marlins won the fifth game to take a 3–2 lead. The sixth game was held in Miami, where the Marlins won to tie the series at 3–3. The final game, Game 7, was a tense battle. The Marlins won the game in the bottom of the eleventh inning, clinching the World Series title.

Composite box

The 1997 World Series was the big championship game of Major League Baseball that year. The 1997 World Series (4–3): Florida Marlins (N.L.) won against the Cleveland Indians (A.L.). The Marlins were not expected to win, but they surprised everyone by winning their very first World Series title!

Aftermath

The Florida Marlins, in just their fifth year, became the fastest new team to win the World Series. However, most of their key players were traded after the 1997 season, leading to a poor performance the next year. The team was sold and went through many changes, but later returned to the World Series in 2003 with only one player from the 1997 team.

The Cleveland Indians also had success in the years following 1997 but did not return to the World Series until 2016. The high attendance for the 1997 World Series remains one of the largest in history, with over 400,000 fans watching the games.

Radio and television coverage

NBC showed the World Series on TV across the country. This was the first time NBC alone showed the World Series since the 1988 World Series. Bob Costas led the show, with Bob Uecker and Joe Morgan helping to explain the game. Hannah Storm and Keith Olbermann hosted shows before the games, and Storm helped celebrate after the final game.

CBS Radio spoke about the games on the radio for the last time in 1997. Vin Scully talked about the games for the eleventh time before he stopped working as a broadcaster. This was also the last game talked about by Herb Score for the Indians Radio Network before he retired.