From Florida Expansion Team to Two-Time World Series Champions The Miami Marlins are one of Major League Baseball’s youngest franchises, but they have accomplished something many older organizations have never done: win multiple World Series championships. The franchise began as the Florida Marlins in 1993. In 2012, the organization became the Miami Marlins and moved into the new Marlins Park, now called loan Depot park. In only their fifth season, the Marlins won the 1997 World Series. Six years later, they captured another championship in 2003. The Marlins have also produced or employed numerous Hall of Famers, MVPs, Rookie of the Year winners and stars who went on to accomplish great things elsewhere. The Beginning of the Marlins Miami’s pursuit of Major League Baseball finally succeeded when MLB awarded the city an expansion franchise in 1991. The team was originally called the Florida Marlins and began play in 1993. The franchise’s first owner was businessman H. Wayne Huizenga, who was also associated with the Miami Dolphins . The Marlins played their first regular-season game on April 5, 1993, with veteran knuckleballer Charlie Hough making the first start in franchise history. The team immediately became a major attraction in South Florida. Marlins Ownership History The Marlins have had four principal ownership eras. Years Principal Owner/Ownership Group 1993-1998 H. Wayne Huizenga 1999-2001 John Henry 2002-2017 Jeffrey Loria 2017-present Bruce Sherman-led ownership group H. Wayne Huizenga — 1993-1998 Huizenga was the original owner of the Marlins. His ownership group spent heavily before the 1997 season and assembled a team that eventually won the franchise’s first World Series. Huizenga’s aggressive spending made the 1997 Marlins a championship club almost immediately. John Henry — 1999-2001 John Henry purchased the Marlins following the 1998 season. His ownership lasted only three seasons before he sold the club. Jeffrey Loria — 2002-2017 Jeffrey Loria purchased the Marlins before the 2002 season. Under Loria, the Marlins won their second World Series in 2003. Loria also oversaw the construction of the new Miami ballpark and the transition from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins. Bruce Sherman and the 2017 ownership group A group led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter purchased the Marlins from Loria for approximately $1.2 billion in 2017. Sherman became principal owner while Jeter became CEO and held a minority ownership interest. Jeter left the organization in February 2022 and sold his ownership interest, leaving Sherman as the principal owner. As of 2026, Bruce Sherman remains the principal owner of the Miami Marlins. Marlins Home Ballparks The Marlins have had two primary home stadiums. Joe Robbie Stadium / Pro Player Stadium / Sun Life Stadium — 1993-2011 The Marlins began playing at the football stadium that eventually became known by several names. The stadium was originally called Joe Robbie Stadium. It was later renamed: Pro Player Stadium Dolphin Stadium Land Shark Stadium Sun Life Stadium The Marlins played their first 19 seasons there. The stadium had a baseball capacity of approximately 47,000. Most importantly, it was the home of the 1997 and 2003 World Series championship teams. Marlins Park — 2012-2020 The Marlins moved into their own baseball stadium in 2012. The retractable-roof facility was called Marlins Park. It was designed specifically for baseball and had a capacity of approximately 37,000. The stadium hosted the 2017 MLB All-Star Game. loan Depot park — 2021-present In 2021, the stadium received a new naming-rights agreement and became loanDepot park. The ballpark remains the home of the Miami Marlins. It has a listed capacity of 37,442. The 1997 World Series Champions The 1997 Marlins produced one of the most unlikely championship stories in baseball. Florida finished the regular season 92-70 and entered the postseason as the National League Wild Card team. The Marlins defeated: San Francisco Giants Atlanta Braves Cleveland Indians The World Series went seven games. Florida won Game 7 in the 11th inning when Edgar Renteria’s single scored Craig Counsell. The Marlins became the first Wild Card team to win the World Series. 1997 World Series Florida Marlins defeated Cleveland Indians, 4-3 World Series MVP Liván Hernández The rookie pitcher became the World Series MVP after helping Florida win its first championship. The Great 1997 Marlins Team The championship roster included: Jeff Conine, Moises Alou, Bobby Bonilla, Gary Sheffield, Charles Johnson, Edgar Renteria, Craig Counsell, Luis Castillo, Liván Hernández, Kevin Brown, Al Leiter, and Robb Nen The Marlins had built an extremely talented roster. But the championship team would not stay together for long. After the 1997 season, ownership dramatically reduced payroll. Many of the championship players were traded or allowed to leave. That became one of the most controversial periods in franchise history. 2003 World Series Champions Six years after the first championship, the Marlins did it again. The 2003 club was much different. It was built around young stars and talented veterans. Among the key players were: Josh Beckett, Dontrelle Willis, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Lowell, ,Luis Castillo, Juan Pierre, Jeff Conine, Ivan Rodriguez, Derrek Lee, Juan Encarnacion, Ugueth Urbina The team finished 91-71. After firing manager Jeff Torborg, the Marlins hired veteran manager Jack McKeon, who was 72 years old. McKeon guided the young club through an incredible second half of the season. The Marlins defeated: San Francisco Giants Chicago Cubs New York Yankees in the postseason. 2003 World Series Florida Marlins defeated New York Yankees, 4-2 The championship was secured at Yankee Stadium. In Game 6, Josh Beckett threw a complete-game shutout on three days’ rest. Florida won 2-0. Beckett became the 2003 World Series MVP. The victory gave Florida its second World Series championship. Marlins World Series Record The Marlins have played in the World Series twice. Year Opponent Result 1997 Cleveland Indians Won 4-3 2003 New York Yankees Won 4-2 World Series Championships 2 1997 Florida Marlins 2003 Florida Marlins The remarkable part of the Marlins’ history is that they have won every World Series they have reached. Their record is: 2 appearances — 2 championships Marlins Cooperstown Hall of Fame… Continue reading Miami Marlins Complete History
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San Diego Padres: The Complete History
The San Diego Padres entered Major League Baseball in 1969 as an expansion franchise, joining the National League along with the Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals and Seattle Pilots. More than five decades later, the Padres have built one of baseball’s most recognizable franchises, produced multiple Hall of Famers, won two National League pennants, and become one of the most aggressive teams in baseball when it comes to acquiring star players. Yet one accomplishment remains missing from the Padres’ résumé: a World Series championship. The Padres have reached the World Series twice, in 1984 and 1998, but lost both times. The 1984 club lost to the Detroit Tigers in five games, while the 1998 team was swept by the New York Yankees. The Birth of the Padres San Diego had a long baseball history before joining the major leagues. The original San Diego Padres played in the Pacific Coast League beginning in 1936. San Diego was awarded a National League expansion franchise on May 27, 1968. The new Padres selected 30 players in the expansion draft, with outfielder Ollie Brown becoming the first player selected by the franchise. The Padres played their first major league game on April 8, 1969, defeating the Houston Astros 2-1 at San Diego Stadium before 23,370 fans. The early years were difficult. The 1969 Padres finished 52-110, and losing seasons became the norm during the franchise’s first decade. But San Diego gradually developed stars such as Nate Colbert and Randy Jones. Padres Ownership Through the Years C. Arnholt Smith — 1969-1974 C. Arnholt Smith was the original owner of the Major League Padres. A San Diego banker and businessman, Smith had also been involved with the Pacific Coast League Padres. Smith’s ownership nearly ended with the franchise leaving San Diego. Financial problems and controversy surrounding Smith’s other business interests put the Padres’ future in jeopardy. In 1974, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc purchased the team and prevented the franchise from moving to Washington, D.C. Ray Kroc — 1974-1984 Ray Kroc became one of the most important owners in Padres history. The McDonald’s founder immediately increased the team’s visibility and spending. Attendance passed one million during his first season as owner, and Kroc became known for his willingness to spend money on major-league talent. Kroc died in January 1984, just months before the Padres reached their first World Series. His ownership helped establish the foundation for the most important season in early Padres history. Kroc was later inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame. Joan Kroc — 1984-1990 After Ray Kroc’s death, ownership p assed to his widow, Joan Kroc. Her first season as owner became the greatest season in Pa dres history to that point. The 1984 Padres won the National League West, defeated the Chicago Cubs in the NL Championship Series and reached the World Series for the first time. The Padres ultimately lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers, four games to one. Joan Kroc sold the franchise in 1990 to an ownership group headed by television producer Tom Werner. Tom Werner and the Werner Ownership Group — 1990-1994 Tom Werner headed an ownership group that eventually included 15 investors. The Werner era produced some of the most memorable and controversial trades in Padres history. One of the most important was the December 1990 trade with Toronto that sent future Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter to the Blue Jays in exchange for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernández. Alomar and Carter subsequently became major parts of Toronto’s back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. John Moores — 1994-2012 Software entrepreneur John Moores purchased controlling ownership of the Padres in 1994. His tenure produced two NL West championships, the 1998 National League pennant and the construction of Petco Park. The 1998 Padres became one of the greatest teams in franchise history, going 98-64 before winning the NL pennant. They faced the powerhouse New York Yankees in the World Series but were swept in four games. Moores also played an important role in bringing the Padres into downtown San Diego with the development of Petco Park. He was inducted into the Padres Hall of Fame in 2023. Jeff Moorad and the Attempted Purchase — 2009-2012 Former player agent and executive Jeff Moorad assembled an investment group and attempted to purchase the Padres from Moores. The proposed transaction was structured as a gradual purchase of the team. Moorad eventually withdrew his application to become the controlling owner in 2012. The situation ultimately led to another ownership change. Ron Fowler and the Seidler/O’Malley Ownership Group — 2012-2020 In 2012, a group led by Ron Fowler, Peter Seidler and members of the O’Malley family purchased the Padres. Fowler became the controlling owner and executive chairman. The purchase was valued at approximately $800 million and was approved by Major League Baseball in August 2012. Peter Seidler — 2020-2023 In November 2020, Peter Seidler became the Padres’ largest shareholder and controlling owner after purchasing additional shares from Ron Fowler. Seidler’s ownership transformed the Padres’ approach to building the roster. San Diego became much more aggressive in free agency, trades and long-term contracts. The Padres signed and acquired stars including Manny Machado, Juan Soto and other major players while building a team designed to compete for championships. Seidler died in November 2023. John Seidler and the Seidler Family — 2023-2026 After Peter Seidler’s death, his family continued to oversee the franchise, with his brother John Seidler serving as chairman and control person during the transition period. The family eventually agreed to sell control of the franchise. Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano… Continue reading San Diego Padres: The Complete History
