The year 2003 consisted of Sports Championship winners Florida Marlins (MLB), New Jersey Devils (NHL), San Antonio Spurs (NBA), San Jose Earthquakes (MLS), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL)
HIGHLIGHTS
The
2003 MLB World Series featured the
Florida Marlins and the
New York Yankees. The Marlins had the best record in the National League and defeated the
San Francisco Giants in the NLCS to reach the World Series. The Yankees, on the other hand, had the best record in the American League and defeated the
Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. The Marlins went on to win the series in six games, becoming the first wild card team to win the World Series. The Marlins were led by MVP Ivan Rodriguez, who hit a go-ahead home run in Game 6 to help seal the win. It was the first World Series title in the Marlins' franchise history.
The
2003 Stanley Cup Finals saw the
New Jersey Devils take on the
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The series went the full seven games, with the Devils taking the series 4-3. The Devils won the first two games, but the Ducks won the next two to even the series. The Devils then won game five, but the Ducks forced a game seven with a win in game six. In the deciding game, the Devils jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, winning the game and the Stanley Cup with a 3-0 victory. The Devils were led by goaltender Martin Brodeur, who allowed only eight goals in the seven-game series and earned the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
The
2003 NBA championship final series was a best-of-seven series between the
San Antonio Spurs and the
New Jersey Nets. The Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, were the heavy favorites coming into the series, having won the Western Conference with a 60-22 record. The Nets, led by Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, and Kenyon Martin, were the surprise of the playoffs, making it to the finals with a 49-33 record. The Spurs went on to win the series 4-2, with Tim Duncan being named the Finals MVP. The Spurs won the first two games in
San Antonio, before the Nets won two in
New Jersey to tie the series. The Spurs then won the next two games, clinching the championship and bringing the city of
San Antonio its first
NBA title.
The
2003 MLB World Series featured the
Florida Marlins and the
New York Yankees. The Marlins had the best record in the National League and defeated the
San Francisco Giants in the NLCS to reach the World Series. The Yankees, on the other hand, had the best record in the American League and defeated the
Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. The Marlins went on to win the series in six games, becoming the first wild card team to win the World Series. The Marlins were led by MVP Ivan Rodriguez, who hit a go-ahead home run in Game 6 to help seal the win. It was the first World Series title in the Marlins' franchise history.
The
2003 Super Bowl was between the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the
Oakland Raiders. The Buccaneers won the game 48-21, making them the first team to win a Super Bowl after losing the previous season's championship game. The Buccaneers' defense dominated the game, intercepting five passes from Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon and returning three of them for touchdowns. The Buccaneers' offense was also effective, with quarterback Brad Johnson throwing for 215 yards and two touchdowns and running back Michael Pittman rushing for 124 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders were unable to keep up with the Buccaneers' offense, and their defense was unable to contain the Bucs' passing attack. The Buccaneers' victory marked the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.