Date & Venue: October 26, 1997 – Pro Player Stadium, Miami, Florida
Final Score: Florida Marlins 3, Cleveland Indians 2 (11 innings)

Summary:

Game 7 of the 1997 World Series was a tense, rain-soaked, extra-innings thriller that ended with the expansion Florida Marlins winning their first championship in only their fifth season of existence.

The Cleveland Indians struck first in the 3rd inning when Tony Fernández singled in a run, giving them a 1–0 lead. The game remained tight as both starters .  Jaret Wright for Cleveland and Al Leiter for Florida , battled effectively.

In the 9th inning, the Indians were just three outs away from clinching their first championship since 1948. They held a 2–1 lead thanks to a sacrifice fly from Fernández in the top of the frame. Manager Mike Hargrove turned to closer José Mesa to finish it.

But the Marlins rallied. In the bottom of the 9th, Moisés Alou singled, and Craig Counsell hit a sacrifice fly that scored Alou, tying the game at 2–2 and sending it into extra innings.

In the 11th inning, the Marlins mounted their historic rally. With the bases loaded and one out against Charles Nagy, Édgar Rentería hit a soft single up the middle, scoring Counsell with the winning run. The Marlins walked off with a 3–2 victory and the 1997 World Series championship.

Key Performances:

• Edgar Rentería: Game-winning hit in the 11th.
• Craig Counsell: Scored the winning run, also drove in the tying run in the 9th.
• Tony Fernández (CLE): Drove in both Indians runs.
• Livan Hernández (FLA): Named World Series MVP (2–0 record, including a Game 1 win and a pivotal Game 5 performance).

Historical Significance:

• The Marlins became the fastest expansion team to win a World Series (5th season).
• It was one of the most dramatic Game 7s in Series history, ending on an extra-inning, walk-off hit.
• For Cleveland fans, it was a crushing heartbreak — the Indians were just two outs away from ending a nearly 50-year title drought.