2003 Marlins

The Florida Marlins somehow have two World Series titles in around twenty seasons, despite never winning their division. Meanwhile, the Brewers, Expos/Nationals, Mariners, Rockies, and Padres have zero titles in 200+ seasons of existence. The 1997 Marlins was probably the more talented roster, featuring young players that would go on to be stars (and maybe featured some Hall of Famers): Kevin Brown, Gary Sheffield, Edgar Renteria and more. However, we needed to make the 2003 Marlins first! As kids that mainly grew up in the Chicago suburbs, that epic Bartman-feuled collapse and the corresponding Marlins upset of the Yankees was the first truly magical postseason most of us saw (or most painful, depending if you're a pro or anti Cubs fan).

Something many of us forget is the Cubs and Marlins dispatched a pair of 100 win teams in the first round (Atlanta and San Francisco), and the Marlins did all this without a true power hitter or an OB 10 in the lineup! A balanced team with a solid rotation and weak bullpen, the Marlins truly are a case of a manager getting hot with his rolling (or fortunate that the other manager keeps giving up big hits off his own chart).

Hopefully you enjoy this underdog team!