The Marlins channeled the spirit of their 2003 World Series run this weekend—led by the man who delivered that title. With legendary Marlins manager Jack McKeon honored Saturday and inducted into the Marlins Legends Hall of Fame, Miami swept the Yankees for the first time in franchise history. The five-game win streak brought the club back to .500 before Monday’s loss to the Astros dropped them to 55–56. But for three days, loanDepot Park felt like the center of the baseball world, packed with over 101,000 fans and driven by a scrappy, international core.
With Sunday’s 7-3 win at loanDepot Park, Miami capped its first-ever three-game sweep of New York, briefly bringing the club back to .500 (55-55) for the first time since April 15. Though they dropped the series opener to Houston on Monday, the Yankees sweep gave South Florida a real taste of playoff energy.
Now 94 years old, Jack McKeon returned to loanDepot Park on Saturday to be inducted into the Marlins Legends Hall of Fame—against the very Yankees team he out-managed in the 2003 World Series.
The Marlins honored their cigar-smoking, World Series-winning skipper with a full-circle night: a packed house, a bobblehead giveaway for the first 8,000 fans, and the Yankees in the other dugout—just like 2003. It was the kind of crowd and occasion that reminded Miami what big-time baseball can feel like when it matters most.
The most important hire in Marlins history. Jack McKeon’s introductory press conference in 2003.#MarlinsBeisbol #MLBpic.twitter.com/Mwa56bc8Zl
— Marlins Historian (@MarlinsHistory) August 3, 2025
McKeon joined a stacked 2025 class that includes franchise icons Luis Castillo and Jeff Conine. His name brought the house down. His bobblehead brought fans out early. And in South Florida, honoring “Trader Jack” still hits different.
Fans can now visit the new Marlins Museum on the Legends Level to see McKeon’s plaque and tributes to the franchise’s most iconic era.
“‘This is the greatest honor I’ve ever had.’
Jack McKeon reflects on joining the Marlins Hall of Fame—21 years after leading Miami to a World Series title.
🎥 Watch via @MLB: https://t.co/G279yQCPQ0 #MLBFilmRoom” pic.twitter.com/LpkAzwYjQu— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) August 4, 2025
McKeon’s moment gave the weekend more than just historical weight—it gave the Marlins something to feed off. The team responded by sweeping the Yankees, their first ever, in front of more than 101,000 fans across three games.
All three wins against the Yankees—and all five during the Marlins’ recent streak—were fueled by players born outside the United States. Dominican right-hander Edward Cabrera struck out seven over six innings Sunday, while Agustín Ramírez, who the Yankees traded to the Marlins in the Jazz Chisholm Jr. trade, homered twice Saturday in his breakout run behind the plate.
Venezuelan center fielder Javier Sanoja hit three home runs during the homestand, including two in Friday’s wild win. Otto Lopez (Dominican Republic) and Xavier Edwards (Bahamas) combined for multiple double plays and key at-bats. Edwards tallied five RBIs during the streak.
Eury Pérez tossed six scoreless innings Saturday. From Sandy Alcantara to Cabrera to Sanoja, Miami’s surge has been powered by its international core.
The three-game series drew 101,545 fans—the highest-attended weekend in stadium history since it opened in 2012. loanDepot Park has hosted World Baseball Classic thrillers, All-Star Games, and postseason runs—but this was different.
This felt like Miami showing up for its own.
On Friday night, more than 70 percent of the crowd was pulling for the Yankees. When New York stormed ahead 12–10 late, it sounded like the Bronx. But when the Marlins roared back to win it 13–12 in walk-off fashion, the place shook. It was chaos, it was cathartic, and it was electric.
For one weekend, the Marlins reminded everyone what baseball in South Florida can feel like—when “Trader Jack” gets his flowers, when a scrappy international core delivers, and when there’s something real to play for.
And the best part? loanDepot Park isn’t done.
In March 2026, it will again be the center of the baseball world—hosting Pool D, two quarterfinals, both semifinals, and the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Single-game tickets go on sale to the public January 15.
Full 2026 WBC schedule and ticket info
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
