Fansided

Top 25 MLB pennant races of all time

By Joshua Sadlock

(Original Caption) Bucky Dent is a happy fellow as he jumps on home plate and is greeted by Roy White and Chris Chambliss after he hit a three-run home run in the 7th inning at Fenway Park.
(Original Caption) Bucky Dent is a happy fellow as he jumps on home plate and is greeted by Roy White and Chris Chambliss after he hit a three-run home run in the 7th inning at Fenway Park. /
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BRONX, NY – OCTOBER 25: Juan Pierre #9 of the Florida Marlins dives but can’t make the catch on a double hit by Bernie Williams #51 of the New York Yankees in the first inning during game six of the Major League Baseball World Series on October 25, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – OCTOBER 25: Juan Pierre #9 of the Florida Marlins dives but can’t make the catch on a double hit by Bernie Williams #51 of the New York Yankees in the first inning during game six of the Major League Baseball World Series on October 25, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

24. Marlins explode down the stretch, 2003

The 2003 Florida Marlins were off to a slow start at 16-22 when manager Jeff Torborg was given his walking papers. In walked baseball lifer Jack McKeon to try and save the day for a talented but underachieving club. Under McKeon, the Marlins went 75-49. The talent was there all along, but it took the right manager to get the results.

Entering the month of September, the Marlins had lost eight of nine and were fading from playoff contention. What followed was an impressive run that ended with a World Series trophy. McKeon’s boys went 21-8 down the stretch to finish 91-71 and grab the Wild Card.

The Marlins were hardly a power-hitting team — what with Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo playing major roles — but they rarely struck out and kept constant pressure on their opponents. As a team, they hit 54 doubles in September. The pitching staff also did their part for the pennant race. The starters went 13-5 in September with a 3.52 ERA.

After getting hot to make the playoffs, the Marlins raced all the way to the World Series and knocked off the heavily-favored New York Yankees. Their NLCS win over the Chicago Cubs will always be remembered for the infamous Bartman game.

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