Greatest Moments in Marlins History: #28 Wildcard Number 2

Aug 4, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Former Florida Marlins manger Jack McKeon with Luis Castillo during the tenth anniversary celebration of the 2003 World Championship before a game against the Cleveland Indian at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome back to the Greatest Moments in Marlins History. What more can I say about 2003? I can say plenty as we still have a few moments from that season to get to, but moment 28 takes us back to the 160^th game of that magical season. September 26, 2003 was the day the Marlins clinched their second wildcard berth.

September 26, 2003 was simple: if the Marlins won they would be in the playoffs to face the NL Champs San Francisco Giants, if they lost they would have to wait another day to try and clinch the wildcard. In their clinching path were Aaron Heilman and the New York Mets. The Mets were 65-93 at this point and were eliminated months ago from a playoff berth, but they really wanted to play spoilers to the Marlins. The Mets started early by getting to Carl Pavano in the 1^st with a Tony Clark double scoring Mike Piazza. Derrek Lee would answer back in the bottom of the inning with a double of his own, scoring Ivan Rodriguez to tie the game up 1-1. Then the Marlins showed why they were going to the playoffs.

Pudge would sac fly in Pavano in the 3^rd to give the Marlins a 2-1 lead. The Marlins would score again in the 5^th with a Lee single to bring in Juan Pierre. Jeff Conine would show the world why we traded for him with a solo shot to start off the 6^th inning.  Up 4-1 now, all the Marlins had to do was hold the Mets at bay. The Mets gave the Marlins a scare in the 8^th by scoring 2 runs to make it 4-3. In the 9^th Ugueth Uribina came in and faced 5 batters before getting the 3 outs and helping the Marlins clinch their second wildcard berth!

Second wildcard berth, you say? Join me tomorrow and see if we can bring up the first Marlins wildcard berth!