2003 Miami Marlins: 8/19 to 8/28 (1-8 record)
Okay, things did eventually work out just fine for the 2003 Miami Marlins.
But that doesn’t mean that the sky wasn’t showing all kinds of signs of falling as August started to wind down for the soon to be world champions.
By mid-August, the Marlins were 69-55, had added talent at the trade deadline, and looked like they could just maybe be pretty special. Yet even despite having just about the best record in the majors since the end end of May, the Braves were still miles in front of Miami for first place, and the NL Wild Card race was a tight one. The slightest of speed bumps could be a problem.
And then the Marlins proceeded to have their worst run of games since Jack McKeon first took over the manager’s job.
The last time Miami had lost three games in a row or more? That would be May 22nd. Miami did it twice on a 1-8 road trip against the Rockies, Giants, and Pirates. The Giants, at least, were one of the best teams in baseball. The Rockies and Pirates? Not so much. Worse, rookie sensation Dontrelle Willis lost two games on the trip, and had lost three of his last four starts. Rookie wall concerns were definitely surfacing.
Such was the mood heading into the last series of the month…during which All-Star third baseman Mike Lowell broke his hand, knocking him out for the rest of the season.
If Lowell had broken his hand in Pittsburgh, and not at home against the Expos, this trip probably takes the top spot. As he didn’t, and as they did rally with an 18-8 September to make the playoffs, two other miserable road trips beat this one out.
2002 Miami Marlins: 7/12 to 7/18 (0-7 record)
For me, the real test of a true Miami Marlins fan is a simple one: do you remember Jeff Torborg?
If you do, you have some fond memories of the 2002 team that was supposed to pick up where that aforementioned 2001 squad left off the previous summer. First baseman Derrek Lee was hitting home runs left and right, before dropping off in the second half. The Marlins found themselves in first place as late as May, and took a 45-43 record into the All-Star Break. The team had definitely had some frustrating losses, but also boasted enough talent that a run felt possible.
At which point new owner Jeffrey Loria traded then franchise wins leader Ryan Dempster and arguably the most popular player on the team in Cliff Floyd. The staff ace and best offensive weapon were out the door. Okay, much of the return in those trades was MLB ready talent, including 2003 stars Juan Encarnacion and Carl Pavano. Retooling was the phrase used, and Dempster was having a rather unspectacular season. Still, at the time, it felt more like giving up than digging in. It didn’t help that the new owner had just completed a trade with the team he used to own either, at least not in the mind of one annoyed seventeen year old.
Technically, all that awesomeness happened the day before the road trip started. A technicality which keeps it in second place on this rundown of road trip horror shows. Then again, it didn’t happen during a homestand either, and it absolutely set the tone for what was about to happen.
The trip itself? A delightful 0-7 swing through Chicago, New York, and Atlanta during which the Marlins were outscored 55 to 18. 55-18.
Really bad. Yet not the worst. That dubious honor goes to the…