They won the series in six games despite being outscored 19-18. In the 1997 World Series, they faced the Florida Marlins, a team in their fifth sesson of play. The Indians won Games 2, 4, and 6 and were two outs from winning the Series in Game 7 before José Mesa allowed the tying run to score in the 9th inning. Charles Nagy would give up the winning run in the 11th, as Cleveland lost the series despite outscoring the Marlins 44-37. On June 20, 1998 Hargrove, who had been wearing #21 to that point, switched to #30 to accommodate the Indians retiring #21 in honor of Bob Lemon. In the 1998 American League Championship Series, the Indians led the series by winning two of the first three against the New York Yankees. However, they were outscored by a margin of 18-8 in the next three games to lose the series, which was the last ALCS appearance for Cleveland until 2007. A managing error by Hargrove on July 22, 1999 led to the first Indians pitcher to bat in an American League park since 1977, as Manny Ramirez was penciled in at the designated hitter position while Alex Ramirez was listed at right field, but somehow Manny entered the game at right field, thereby nullifying the DH when the opposing manager noticed. Charles Nagy had to bat and pitch at the DH spot (7th) in the eventual loss. The Indians lost in the 1999 American League Division Series after winning the first two games over Boston (in their third matchup in the last five years), as their starting pitching faltered, seeing their Game 3 starter leave after four innings and their Game 4 starter have to start on three days rest. In Game 4, Cleveland lost 23-7 and then lost 12-8 in Game 5 in Cleveland. He was fired on October 15, 1999 by general manager John Hart depsite being under contract for 2000 with an option for 2001. The decision was made not due to the collapse in the series but rather one done over internal discussions internally past week, citing a need for a new atmosphere. Hargrove felt that the team lacked a true ace in pitching, while Hart felt that the team they had assembled on budget was a quality one; private sources felt Hargrove had lost the clubhouse, and he admitted that he may have been