TORONTO TAKES 2004 PSCB WORLD SERIES; ROAD TEAMS WIN FIRST SIX CONTESTS, BUT JAYS PREVAIL AT HOME IN SEVENTH

The Toronto Blue Jays captured the PSCB World Series title July 11, topping the Florida Marlins four games to three. The visiting team won the first six games of the series before Toronto took game seven at Skydome to capture the trophy.

World Series champ John Darnell (left) of Toronto receives the trophy from 2003 winner Dennis Tippery of Arizona.

It was the second PSCB title for John Darnell and the Jays, who also won in 2001. Toronto barely even made the post season, finishing in a tie for second in the Pacific/West, then beating Cleveland in a one-game playoff to qualify for the final spot in the tournament. From there they cruised, stomping Pacific/East champ San Francisco in five and then sweeping Seattle to make the series.

Florida, meanwhile, also came from an underdog role, beating league-best-record Milwaukee in seven in the opening round, then taking the White Sox in five to advance to the finals.

Statistically, the Marlins won the series, outscoring the Blue Jays 37-31, out homering them 9-6, and posting a 3.52 ERA to Toronto's 4.98. That's a bit deceiving, though, mostly attributable to Florida's 18-6 romp in the series opener. Florida's 1-2-3 hitters, Larry Walker, Corey Koskie, and Manny Ramirez, put up the gaudiest stats, hitting .448, .440, and .448 respectively. Ramirez hit four homers and drove in 11 runs. Troy Glaus had two homers and nine RBI for the Jays. Edgar Renteria drove in the decisive run in the seventh game, and Brad Wilkerson clubbed a three-run homer to put it away. Toronto's Mariano Rivera saved three games, but not without getting into trouble. Rivera was named the series MVP.

Interestingly, home teams have a dismal 2-11 record in the last two PSCB World Series, but the two victories by home teams were both series clinchers. In 2003 the visitors won the first five games before Arizona won game six at the Bob to wrap up the title.

Toronto Blue Jays—World Series batting stats
Toronto Blue Jays—World Series pitching stats
Florida Marlins—World Series batting stats
Florida Marlins—World Series pitching stats

Game 1—Florida 18, Toronto 6
Ramirez has four hits, including a home run and two doubles, and drives in six; Guillen has a homer and five RBI as Fish rout Jays in opener.

Game 2—Florida 5, Toronto 2
Ramirez hits three-run bomb in fourth, Clement in strong outing at Florida goes up 2-0.

Game 3—Toronto 1, Florida 0 (11 innings)
Dropped throw by catcher Greg Myers allows Renteria to score winning run.

Game 4—Toronto 8, Florida 3
Jays even series 2-2 with 11-hit attack as Cabrera drives in three.

Game 5—Toronto 4, Florida 2
Schmidt bounces back from game one debacle with eight solid innings; Glaus two-run shot in second sends Toronto on its way.

Game 6—Florida 4, Toronto 3
Clement tough again, Finley's homer in eighth key as Florida forces game seven.

Game 7—Toronto 7, Florida 5
Four-run sixth propels Jays to series title.