World Series Game 1



The Marlins hung on for a 3-2 win over the Yankees late last night (or in my case, in the middle of the morning), in Game One of the 2003 World Series, Oogie Urbina working his way out of jams in the 8th and 9th to close the door.



Juan Pierre set the tone for the evening, leading off with a bunt single, going first-to-third on a perfectly executed hit & run, then scoring on Pudge's sacrifice fly. Pierre's line for the night was a Rickey Henderson-like 2 for 3 with 2 RBI's, one walk and one SB.

On the other side, Soriano, Johnson, Jeter, Giambi and Boone were a combined 2 for 19.

Pretty early, I think, to hand the trophy over to Jack McKeon, but clearly the likes of Pierre and Castillo are a new element the Yankees haven't had to deal with this postseason. In an era where stealing bases, bunting, moving the runners along, etc. aren't in vogue, the Marlins --- built for their ballpark much the way the Cardinals of the '80's were built for theirs, will present a massive challenge for the NY pitching staff and Jorge Posada.

When Ivan Rodriguez caught Nick Johnson leaning the wrong way in the 3rd, it was yet another reminder that Pudge might be the best defensive catcher of his generation, and yet another in a long line of great Florida Marlins backstops including....Charles Johnson...and Mike Piazza.

All kidding aside, the Marlins' infield defense is terrific. Castillo and Gonzalez are an astonishingly quick DP combination and their respective abilties to go to their left or right compare pretty well to that of Jeter or Soriano.

Posted: Sun - October 19, 2003 at 08:07 AM      

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