20-year Marliniversary: Pudge's 2-run walk-off single gives Fish series lead

Unlike in 1997 when the Florida Marlins got to celebrate winning the World Series at home, the 2003 team had to celebrate at Yankee Stadium. Like 1997, however, the 2003 postseason did feature multiple walk-off victories.

On this day 20 years ago, the Marlins took a 2-1 series lead in the National League Division Series. Florida rallied from a run down in the 11th inning with a two-run walk-off single from catcher Iván Rodríguez to top the San Francisco Giants, 4-3.

After falling behind on an RBI single from Edgardo Alfonzo in the top of the inning, the Marlins trailed 3-2 as they came to bat in the bottom of the 11th at Pro Player Stadium on Oct. 3, 2003.  It was a miscue that ultimately started the Florida rally. On the first pitch from Tim Worrell, Jeff Conine skied a routine flyball to right field, but San Francisco’s José Cruz Jr. watched the ball pop out of his glove as the Marlins put the tying run at first.

Following a walk to Álex Gonzàlez, Miguel Cabrera sacrificed both runners into scoring position. Juan Pierre was then intentionally walked to load the bases. Luis Castillo proceeded to ground back to Worrell, who got the lead runner at home.

With two outs, it was up to Pudge.

Rodriguez had accounted for the only runs of the game for the Marlins with a two-run home run in the first. Down 0-2 in the count against Worrell, the future Hall of Fame catcher was forced to battle.

After taking a ball and fouling a pitch off, Rodriguez was able to serve a letter-high fastball into right field for a base hit. Gonzalez and Pierre both scored to give the Marlins the walk-off victory.

Following Rodriguez’s early home run, Florida went nine innings without scoring. The Giants finally drew even in the sixth on an RBI groundout from Cruz and an RBI single from Pedro Feliz off Florida starter Mark Redman.

Alfonzo finished with four of the eight hits for San Francisco. Castillo led Florida with three hits. Rodriguez and Derrek Lee each had a pair of hits in the victory.

The Marlins would wrap up the series a day later in another one-run game. During the postseason, five of the Marlins’ 11 victories came by a single run. The first came in walk-off fashion on this day two decades ago.

Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

Mike Ferguson is a contributor for Fish On First, who covers Miami Marlins history. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson