NEW YORK, 19 October 2003 — When the Florida Marlins and New York Yankees meet in the 2003 World Series it will be a matchup of destiny versus history.

The Marlins survived a rocky start to become American baseball’s hottest team over the past three months, while the Yankees have won more than two dozens World Series titles.

The teams haven’t met since 2001 when Florida won the season series 2-1. But both teams advanced to the final in similar fashion, winning two of the most riveting league championship series in recent memory.

The Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in the American League Championship Series while Florida stopped the Chicago Cubs 4-3 in the National League Championship Series.Games One and Two of the World Series are to be played in New York before the series shifts to Miami for games three, four and five.

Like the Angels, the Marlins’ signature this postseason has been their ability to come-from-behind for the victory.

They have six comeback wins in the playoffs and they trailed in three of their four National League series victories.

“I think our team is a team that can do everything,” said Florida’s 10-time All-Star Ivan Rodriguez.

Florida quietly snuck into the playoffs but no ones ignoring them now.

Since McKeon took over from fired manager Jeff Torborg in May, Florida have the best record in baseball.

They are the first team since the New York Mets in 1973 to come from 10 games under .500 to the World Series.

Florida fans almost lost their team two years ago when the money-losing club were a candidate for elimination.

The team was sold twice in three years but managed to remain in Florida.

The Yankees are the most storied franchise in American baseball with 39 pennants to go with their 26 World Series crowns.

While their pitching has been a question mark this season they have one of the best closers in Mariano Rivera. Rivera has been close to unhittable in October with 29 saves. New York finished third in the American League this season in both runs scored (877) and team earned run average (4.02).

The Yankees are led by starter Roger Clemens but he got rocked in game seven against the Boston Red Sox and his teammates had to bail him out.

“I pick Florida because they played well down the stretch,” said Ed Wade, GM of Philadelphia.

Said Houston GM Gerry Hunsicker, “I pick the Yankees. I’m going against a Cinderella story here.”