World Series 10: 1981 Dodgers vs. 2003 Marlins
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SERIES 10
(34) 1981 DODGERS VS. (95) 2003 MARLINS
The Dodgers won the World Series in a strike-shortened 1981 season, by beating the Yankees in six games. Fernando Valenzuela became the only player to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same season (13-7, 2.48, 8 shutouts, NL leading 180 K) while Jerry Reuss (10-4, 2.30) and Burt Hooton (11-6, 2.28) combined to give the Dodgers a very strong trio. Dusty Baker (.320/.363/.445) and Pedro Guerrero (.300/.365/.464) led the offense.
The Marlins got off to a bad start and were 16-22 before firing Jeff Torborg and hiring 72-year-old Jack McKeon to manage (75-49 under McKeon). The Marlins got the Wild Card and eventually beat the Yankees in six games in the World Series. Miguel Cabrera had a productive rookie year in his age-20 season (.268/.325/.468, 12 HR, 62 RBI in 87 games) while Mike Lowell (32 HR, .530 SLG, 105 RBI), Derek Lee (31 HR, .508 SLG, 92 RBI), Juan Pierre (204 hits, NL leading 65 steals) and Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez (.297/.369/.474, 16 HR, 85 RBI) led the offense. Dontrelle Willis was the Rookie of the Year (14-6, 3.30).
Game 1: Mike Mordecai’s RBI single in the top of the 10th scored Miguel Cabrera to give the Marlins the winning run in their 7-6 win. Cabrera had 3 hits (1 2B, 2 RBI, 2 runs) while Jeff Conine had 2 hits (1 2B) and 4 RBI for the Marlins. Both starters got no decisions: Josh Beckett (3 R in 5.1 IP), Fernando Valenzuela (6 R in 8 IP).
Game 2: Miguel Cabrera’s 9th inning RBI single gave the Marlins a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series lead. Cabrera also homered (2 hits, 3 RBI) and Luis Castillo had 3 hits for the Marlins. Rick Monday’s first inning 3-run home run accounted for all the Dodgers’ scoring. Both starters got no decisions: Brad Penny (3 R in 6 IP), Burt Hooton (3 R (1 ER) in 6.1 IP).
Game 3: Carl Pavano (2 R in 6.1 IP) outpitched Jerry Reuss (4 R (3 ER) in 6 IP) in the Marlins’ 7-2 win. Juan Pierre had 3 hits (1 SB), while Mike Lowell homered (2 hits, 3 RBI). The Marlins had a 13 hit attack that featured a hit from everyone in the lineup, including Pavano.
Game 4: Mark Redman took a shutout into the 7th before Pedro Guerrero’s solo home run accounted for the only Dodgers’ run in a 4-1 Marlins victory. The Marlins swept the series. Luis Castillo had 3 RBI for the Marlins. Bob Welch was the tough-luck loser (2 R (1 ER) in 6 IP).
MVP: Miguel Cabrera: .412/.412/.647 (7-17 AB), 1 HR, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 4 runs
SCORES
Marlins 7, Dodgers 6 (10)
Marlins 4, Dodgers 3
Marlins 7, Dodgers 2
Marlins 4, Dodgers 1
The Marlins will advance to the second round of the winner’s bracket, to face the 1939 Yankees (#3 seed).
The top 24 seeded World Series champions who drop into the loser’s bracket get a bye in the second round of that bracket. The Dodgers get the third of those byes and will go to the third round of the loser’s bracket.
FIRST ROUND SERIES
1. (25) 1984 Tigers beat (104) 2006 Cardinals, 4 games to 0
2. (103) 1987 Twins beat (26) 1955 Dodgers, 4 games to 3
3. (27) 2016 Cubs beat (102) 2000 Yankees, 4 games to 2
4. (28) 1950 Yankees beat (101) 2014 Giants, 4 games to 1
5. (29) 1920 Indians beat (100) 2021 Braves, 4 games to 3
6. (99) 2011 Cardinals beat (30) 1968 Tigers, 4 games to 3
7. (31) 1951 Yankees beat (98) 1974 A’s, 4 games to 2
8. (32) 2009 Yankees beat (97) 2023 Rangers, 4 games to 2
9. (33) 1943 Yankees beat (96) 1985 Royals, 4 games to 3
10. (95) 2003 Marlins beat (34) 1981 Dodgers, 4 games to 0
UPCOMING SERIES
11. (35) 1947 Yankees vs. (94) 1980 Phillies
12. (36) 1956 Yankees vs. (93) 1990 Reds
13. (37) 1976 Reds vs. (92) 1959 Dodgers
14. (38) 1949 Yankees vs. (91) 1997 Marlins
15. (39) 1954 Giants vs. (90) 1982 Cardinals