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CNN Live Saturday

Marlins, Yankees Set To Square Off In World Series

Aired October 18, 2003 - 14:48   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: In Major League Baseball, some ugly, long and violent playoff games are over, finally giving way to the World Series. Game one begins tonight, as the Yankees and Marlins square off in New York.
CNN's Josie Burke is there now with a preview. Josie, I can't ask you what the atmosphere is like or if it's excited because it's empty behind you.

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, but it's always exciting, the anticipation, even for people who are covering it, Andrea. So I can say that there is some excitement. But there's also an awareness, at least on the part of the participants, that, hey, the rest of the world probably wanted to see the Red Sox and the Cubs in this World Series.

And it was really interesting listening to Jason Giambi (ph) of the Yankees yesterday sounding like a pitch man trying to sell everyone on this, saying, hey, it's David versus Goliath. And that is really a good way to look at it, because these two teams are a study in contrast.

The Yankees have all of the power, they have all of the money, they have all the experience. Then you have these upstart Marlins. They're young, they're inexperienced, and compared to the Yankees, their payroll was miniscule.

They had only about $50 million to work with this season. But they're here, and they are the underdogs. That's a role they say they're not afraid of. In fact, they make it sound like they actually like it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACK MCKEON, MARLINS MANAGER: I've never had a team that I enjoyed more, was more unselfish, more dedicated, and had more fun than these guys right here. And I think that is the reason we're all in Yankee Stadium today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE TORRE, YANKEES MANAGER: Being the favorite, we certainly don't feel that we -- you know, we can assume we have that edge, and it means anything to them. You know, if we felt they were intimidated, sure, I love the edge, but I don't think that's going to happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURKE: One thing to keep in mind, even though they are young, the Marlins have a bunch of 20 year olds, the franchise has only been around for 11 years. They do have one World Series title, Andrea. They won it back in 1997. Back to you.

KOPPEL: All right. Well, probably going to be a great game. Josie, I hope you have fun covering it. Thanks.

BURKE: I will. Thanks, Andrea.

KOPPEL: This 100th anniversary of the fall classic comes after a week of curses seemingly fulfilled. It's finally time to play ball. And next batter up, Ken Rosenthal, who is a writer for the "Sporting News," "Sports Weekly." He comes to us from New York.

So, Ken, what kind of game can we expect tonight?

KEN ROSENTHAL, SPORTING NEWS: I think it's going to be a lot more competitive than people might expect. The Yankees pitching staff is very tired after that draining series against the Red Sox, and the Marlins are a team that presses the action. They put the ball in play, they run around a lot, steal bases, go first to third. I think they're going to give the Yankees some fits (ph).

KOPPEL: As Josie was saying, the Marlins may be a new ball club, but they've already won one World Series. What can we expect out of this team?

ROSENTHAL: I think we can expect them to play as they played the entire post-season, very loose, without a care in the world. The difference now is though that they've got to go into Yankee Stadium, the ultimate caldron in the world of baseball. And it can be a difficult place to play, it can be an intimidating place to play. But the Marlins have done it in Wrigley Field, they've done it in Pac Bell Park, and here they are at Yankee Stadium. I don't think too much bothers them.

KOPPEL: One of the really fun stories I think to come out of this series is the Marlins manager, Jack McKeon, who is 72 years old, and this guy was called out of retirement to coach the team.

ROSENTHAL: Right. He was taking care of his grandchildren, basically. And he had a press conference yesterday that could have been broadcast on Comedy Central. It was hilarious.

And here's a guy who has nothing to lose. All of the pressure is off. He's got this job now and didn't expect to ever have it. He's having fun with it, and I think the team plays off that in a large degree. They are a very loose group, and it comes from their manager.

KOPPEL: Do you think if the Marlins -- and I recognize we're complete speculation -- but if the Marlins managed to win this World Series, then it would be a different win from the one back in '97, because they changed their whole philosophy. How do you think that could impact the way that baseball teams recruit their players?

ROSENTHAL: Well, it's a great question on a lot of levels, because the Marlins have played a little bit different style that has been in vogue in recent years. Most teams prefer players who walk a lot and hit homeruns. The Marlins have these guys who are quicker, steal bases, and they are clearly successful in that style.

The other thing about them is their future. Here's a team that needs a new stadium desperately. Maybe they'll get one because they've had this momentum generated from their World Series run. And beyond that, they'll have to do some things to keep their team together.

They have 16 players who are eligible for significant raises through salary arbitration. They've got six more free agents. It's going to be really difficult for them to stay together unless they get a stadium deal or new investors.

KOPPEL: OK. So real quick, in our remaining seconds, who are you putting your money on to win this series?

ROSENTHAL: Well, I've been wrong virtually the entire post- season, so I give you that warning. But I am picking the Yankees in six. I think it would be foolish to pick against the Yankees when they have home field advantage in their house of magic, Yankee Stadium. So I'll go with them.

KOPPEL: Well, let's all look forward to the series, and may the best man and team win. Ken Rosenthal, thanks for coming in today.

ROSENTHAL: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired October 18, 2003 - 14:48   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN ANCHOR: In Major League Baseball, some ugly, long and violent playoff games are over, finally giving way to the World Series. Game one begins tonight, as the Yankees and Marlins square off in New York.
CNN's Josie Burke is there now with a preview. Josie, I can't ask you what the atmosphere is like or if it's excited because it's empty behind you.

JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, but it's always exciting, the anticipation, even for people who are covering it, Andrea. So I can say that there is some excitement. But there's also an awareness, at least on the part of the participants, that, hey, the rest of the world probably wanted to see the Red Sox and the Cubs in this World Series.

And it was really interesting listening to Jason Giambi (ph) of the Yankees yesterday sounding like a pitch man trying to sell everyone on this, saying, hey, it's David versus Goliath. And that is really a good way to look at it, because these two teams are a study in contrast.

The Yankees have all of the power, they have all of the money, they have all the experience. Then you have these upstart Marlins. They're young, they're inexperienced, and compared to the Yankees, their payroll was miniscule.

They had only about $50 million to work with this season. But they're here, and they are the underdogs. That's a role they say they're not afraid of. In fact, they make it sound like they actually like it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACK MCKEON, MARLINS MANAGER: I've never had a team that I enjoyed more, was more unselfish, more dedicated, and had more fun than these guys right here. And I think that is the reason we're all in Yankee Stadium today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE TORRE, YANKEES MANAGER: Being the favorite, we certainly don't feel that we -- you know, we can assume we have that edge, and it means anything to them. You know, if we felt they were intimidated, sure, I love the edge, but I don't think that's going to happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BURKE: One thing to keep in mind, even though they are young, the Marlins have a bunch of 20 year olds, the franchise has only been around for 11 years. They do have one World Series title, Andrea. They won it back in 1997. Back to you.

KOPPEL: All right. Well, probably going to be a great game. Josie, I hope you have fun covering it. Thanks.

BURKE: I will. Thanks, Andrea.

KOPPEL: This 100th anniversary of the fall classic comes after a week of curses seemingly fulfilled. It's finally time to play ball. And next batter up, Ken Rosenthal, who is a writer for the "Sporting News," "Sports Weekly." He comes to us from New York.

So, Ken, what kind of game can we expect tonight?

KEN ROSENTHAL, SPORTING NEWS: I think it's going to be a lot more competitive than people might expect. The Yankees pitching staff is very tired after that draining series against the Red Sox, and the Marlins are a team that presses the action. They put the ball in play, they run around a lot, steal bases, go first to third. I think they're going to give the Yankees some fits (ph).

KOPPEL: As Josie was saying, the Marlins may be a new ball club, but they've already won one World Series. What can we expect out of this team?

ROSENTHAL: I think we can expect them to play as they played the entire post-season, very loose, without a care in the world. The difference now is though that they've got to go into Yankee Stadium, the ultimate caldron in the world of baseball. And it can be a difficult place to play, it can be an intimidating place to play. But the Marlins have done it in Wrigley Field, they've done it in Pac Bell Park, and here they are at Yankee Stadium. I don't think too much bothers them.

KOPPEL: One of the really fun stories I think to come out of this series is the Marlins manager, Jack McKeon, who is 72 years old, and this guy was called out of retirement to coach the team.

ROSENTHAL: Right. He was taking care of his grandchildren, basically. And he had a press conference yesterday that could have been broadcast on Comedy Central. It was hilarious.

And here's a guy who has nothing to lose. All of the pressure is off. He's got this job now and didn't expect to ever have it. He's having fun with it, and I think the team plays off that in a large degree. They are a very loose group, and it comes from their manager.

KOPPEL: Do you think if the Marlins -- and I recognize we're complete speculation -- but if the Marlins managed to win this World Series, then it would be a different win from the one back in '97, because they changed their whole philosophy. How do you think that could impact the way that baseball teams recruit their players?

ROSENTHAL: Well, it's a great question on a lot of levels, because the Marlins have played a little bit different style that has been in vogue in recent years. Most teams prefer players who walk a lot and hit homeruns. The Marlins have these guys who are quicker, steal bases, and they are clearly successful in that style.

The other thing about them is their future. Here's a team that needs a new stadium desperately. Maybe they'll get one because they've had this momentum generated from their World Series run. And beyond that, they'll have to do some things to keep their team together.

They have 16 players who are eligible for significant raises through salary arbitration. They've got six more free agents. It's going to be really difficult for them to stay together unless they get a stadium deal or new investors.

KOPPEL: OK. So real quick, in our remaining seconds, who are you putting your money on to win this series?

ROSENTHAL: Well, I've been wrong virtually the entire post- season, so I give you that warning. But I am picking the Yankees in six. I think it would be foolish to pick against the Yankees when they have home field advantage in their house of magic, Yankee Stadium. So I'll go with them.

KOPPEL: Well, let's all look forward to the series, and may the best man and team win. Ken Rosenthal, thanks for coming in today.

ROSENTHAL: Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com