2003 Houston Astros season

Last updated

2003  Houston Astros
League National League
Division Central
Ballpark Minute Maid Park
City Houston, Texas
Record87–75 (.537)
Divisional place2nd
Owners Drayton McLane, Jr.
General managers Gerry Hunsicker
Managers Jimy Williams
Television KNWS-TV
FSN Southwest
(Bill Brown, Jim Deshaies, Bill Worrell)
Radio KTRH
(Milo Hamilton, Alan Ashby)
KXYZ
(Francisco Ernesto Ruiz, Alex Treviño)
←  2002 Seasons 2004  →

The 2003 Houston Astros season was the 42nd season for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located in Houston, Texas, their 39th as the Astros, 42nd in the National League (NL), tenth in the NL Central division, and fourth at Minute Maid Park. The Astros entered the season having finished in second place in the NL Central division with an 84–78 record.

Contents

On April 1, pitcher Roy Oswalt made his first of eight consecutive Opening Day starts for the Astros, who hosted Colorado Rockies, and won, 10–4. In the amateur draft, the Astros' top selection was in the second-round with right-handed pitcher Jason Hirsh (59th overall). [Note 1]

On April 26, Jeff Bagwell collected his 2,000th career hit, joining teammate Craig Biggio as the second Astro to reach the milestone. On June 11, six Astros pitchers combined to hurl a no-hitter against the New York Yankees, establishing a major league record for most pitchers contributing to a no-hitter. The six were Roy Oswalt, Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner. Bagwell hit his 400th career home run on July 20, becoming the 35th player in major league history to do so.

Wagner represented the Astros and played for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game, his third career selection.

The Astros concluded the season with an 87–75 record, missing the playoffs by one game. They ranked second in the NL Central, one game behind the Chicago Cubs. In the NL Wild Card race, Houston also ranked second, trailing the eventual World Series champion Florida Marlins by 4 games. This was the 10th winning season in the previous 11 for Houston, and the ninth time in 10 seasons since moving to the NL Central that they had finished in either first or second place.

Offseason

Summary

To commemorate the life and humanitarian qualities of former pitcher Darryl Kile, who had died suddenly prior to a game in Chicago on June 22, 2002, the Astros and St. Louis Cardinals—two of Kile's former teams—united to create the "Darryl Kile Good Guy Award." Intended for bestowal upon one Astros and one Cardinals player following each season, its recognition would signify that player exemplifies Kile’s qualities as "a good teammate, a great friend, a fine father and a humble man." During his career, Kile posted a 133-119 win–loss record (W–L) and an earned run average (ERA) of 4.12. Jeff Bagwell became the first recipient for Houston following the 2003 season, while Mike Matheny was the first for St. Louis. [1]

Outfielder Richard Hidalgo survived a scare and remained largely unharmed during a carjacking attempt on him in Venezuela on November 22, 2002. He had sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm. However, he appeared to have escaped significant injury, without signs either of fracture or ligament damage. [2]

Transactions

Regular season

Summary

Opening Day starting lineup [5]

Craig Biggio cf
Geoff Blum 3b
Jeff Bagwell 1b
Lance Berkman lf
Jeff Kent 2b
Richard Hidalgo rf
Brad Ausmus c
Julio Lugo ss
Roy Oswalt P

During a 3–2 loss to the Montreal Expos on April 26, first baseman Jeff Bagwell hit an infield single for his 2,000th career hit—all as a member of the Astros—joining teammate Craig Biggio as the only players to achieve this feat. [6]

Following a game at Minute Maid Park on May 1, shortstop Julio Lugo was arrested and charged with assaulting his wife in their vehicle while driving on the Eastex Freeway the evening before. [7] He was then designated for assignment, subsequently cleared waivers, and given an unconditional release by the club. [8]

In his return from the disabled list (DL) on June 7, Richard Hidalgo connected for a game-winning three-run home over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays which resulted in a 5–4 score. Part of a 3-hit night, Hidalgo had been hospitalized with tonsillitis just one week prior. Meanwhile, Lance Berkman hit a ballpark-record 464 feet (141 m) home run, and Billy Wagner converted the 199th save of his career to tie a franchise record. [9]

On June 8, Wagner earned his 200th career save against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. [10]

Following an early exit by starter Roy Oswalt due to injury on June 11, he and five Astros relievers tossed a no-hitter against the New York Yankees, establishing the major league record for most pitchers contributing to a no-hitter. After Oswalt left the game in the second inning, Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Wagner each followed to deliver this historic contest. The was the first time since 1958 that the Yankees had been no-hit. [11] [12] It was also Houston's first-ever game in The Bronx.

Inserted as a pinch hitter for his first major league plate appearance on June 27, Dave Matranga connected for a home run off Joaquin Benoit in the fifth inning, which tied the game with the Texas Rangers at 4-4. However, Texas later rallied to win this contest, 10–7. [13] Matranga became the first Astros player to hit a home run in his first major league plate appearance since pitcher José Sosa connected off Danny Frisella of the San Diego Padres on July 30, 1975, at the Astrodome. [14] [15] The next Astros player to accomplish this feat was Charlton Jimerson on September 4, 2006, also as pinch hitter, whose drive ended a perfect game bid by Cole Hamels after 5+2⁄3 innings. [16]

Highlighting a six-run first inning on July 9, shortstop Adam Everett hit his first career grand slam to lead a 12–2 rout of the Cincinnati Reds at Minute Maid Park. Everett also set a career-high 4 RBI on that first-inning swing. Lance Berkman and Hidalgo hit consecutive home runs for Houston, while Gregg Zaun had another. Biggio and Hidalgo collected three hits apiece to lead the Astros. Ken Griffey Jr. connected for his 478th career home run for Cincinnati. [17]

In another contest versus Cincinnati on July 20, Bagwell hit two home runs for the 400th of his career off Danny Graves, becoming the 35th player in MLB history to do so. [18] Bagwell's drive was the highest milestone home hit by an Astros player since Eddie Mathews on July 14, 1967, who connected for his 500th home run at Candlestick Park. [19]

On August 6, Everett hit the first-ever inside-the-park home run at Minute Maid Park, one of four Astros home runs against the New York Mets. [20]

ESPN published "The List" on August 20, which profiled and ranked Bagwell and Biggio as the second- and third-most underrated athletes, respectively, of the top four North American professional sports leagues. [21]

At Coors Field on September 16, Hidalgo launched three home runs in a single game, becoming the seventh Houston Astro to accomplish the feat. Hidalgo went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and five RBI to lead a 14–4 win over the Colorado Rockies. [22]

Standings

National League Central

NL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Chicago Cubs 8874.543—44‍–‍3744‍–‍37
Houston Astros 8775.537148‍–‍3339‍–‍42
St. Louis Cardinals 8577.525348‍–‍3337‍–‍44
Pittsburgh Pirates 7587.4631339‍–‍4236‍–‍45
Cincinnati Reds 6993.4261935‍–‍4634‍–‍47
Milwaukee Brewers 6894.4202031‍–‍5037‍–‍44

Record vs. opponents

2003 National League record

Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2003

TeamAZATLCHCCINCOLFLAHOULADMILMTLNYMPHIPITSDSFSTLAL
Arizona —2–52–47–210–92–55–110–93–34–24–24–23–39–105–143–311–4
Atlanta 5–2—4–23–36–09–105–14–24–212–711–89–107–26–12–44–210–5
Chicago 4–22–4—10–73–34–29–72–410–63–35–11–510–84–24–28–99–9
Cincinnati 2–73–37–10—4–22–45–122–48–102–42–45–45–113–33–39–77–5
Colorado 9–100–63–32–4—4–22–47–125–13–42–52–43–612–77–124–29–6
Florida 5–210–92–44–22–4—1–52–57–213–612–713–62–45–11–53–39–6
Houston 1–51–57–912–54–25–1—4–29–83–32–42–410–63–32–411–711–7
Los Angeles 9–102–44–24–212–75–22–4—4–24–23–32–55–18–116–134–211–7
Milwaukee 3–32–46–1010–81–52–78–92–4—0–66–34–210–75–11–53–135–7
Montreal 2–47–123–34–24–36–133–32–46–0—14–58–113–34–27–01–59–9
New York 2–48–111–54–25–27–124–23–33–65–14—7–124–23–34–21–55–10
Philadelphia 2–410–95–14–54–26–134–25–22–411–812–7—2–44–33–34–28–7
Pittsburgh 3–32–78–1011–56–34–26–101–57–103–32–44–2—4–22–47–105–7
San Diego 10–91–62–43–37–121–53–311–81–52–43–33–42–4—5–142–48–10
San Francisco 14–54–22–43–312–75–14–213–65–10–72–43–34–214–5—5–110–8
St. Louis 3–32–49–87–92–43–37–112–413–35–15–12–410–74–21–5—10–8

Notable transactions

Roster

2003 Houston Astros
Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

Outfielders

Other batters

Manager

Coaches

Players stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
C Brad Ausmus 143450103.229447
1B Jeff Bagwell 160605168.27839100
2B Jeff Kent 130505150.2972293
SS Adam Everett 12838799.256851
3B Morgan Ensberg 127385112.2912560
LF Lance Berkman 153538155.2882593
CF Craig Biggio 153628166.2641562
RF Richard Hidalgo 141514159.3092888

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
Geoff Blum 123420110.2621052
Orlando Merced 12321249.231326
José Vizcaíno 9118947.249326
Gregg Zaun 5912026.217113
Brian Hunter 569823.235013
Julio Lugo 226516.24602
Eric Bruntlett 315414.25914
Raúl Chávez 193710.27014
Colin Porter 24326.18800
Jason Lane 18278.296410
Mitch Meluskey 1291.11102
Dave Matranga 651.20011
Tripp Cromer 341.25001

Pitching

Starters

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Wade Miller 33187.114134.13161
Tim Redding 33176.010143.68116
Jeriome Robertson 32160.21595.1099
Roy Oswalt 21127.11052.97108
Ron Villone 19106.2664.1391
Jonathan Johnson 415.1015.877
Brian Moehler 313.2007.905
Rodrigo Rosario 28.0101.136

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGIPWLERASO
Jared Fernández 1238.1333.9919
Scott Linebrink 931.2114.2617

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

PlayerGWLSVERASO
Billy Wagner 7814441.78105
Brad Lidge 786313.6097
Octavio Dotel 766442.4897
Ricky Stone 656413.6947
Peter Munro 403404.6727
Kirk Saarloos 362104.9343
Mike Gallo 321003.0016
Dan Miceli 231102.1020
Nate Bland 221205.7518
Rick White 150003.7217
Brandon Puffer 130005.1410
Bruce Chen 110006.008
Kirk Bullinger 70006.755

Awards and achievements

Awards
Individual batting leaders
Individual pitching leaders

Minor league system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA New Orleans Zephyrs Pacific Coast League Chris Maloney
AA Round Rock Express Texas League Jackie Moore
A Salem Avalanche Carolina League John Massarelli
A Lexington Legends South Atlantic League Russ Nixon
A-Short Season Tri-City ValleyCats New York–Penn League Iván DeJesús
Rookie Martinsville Astros Appalachian League Jorge Orta

See also

References

Footnotes
    1. ↑ Houston forfeited their first round selection to the San Francisco Giants by signing free agent second baseman Jeff Kent.
    Sources
    1. ↑ KSDK Staff (June 22, 2017). "Remembering Daryl Kile 15 years later". KSDK . Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    2. ↑ Jesûs de Ortíz, José (November 22, 2002). "Astros Richard Hidalgo shot in left arm during carjacking in Venezuela". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved September 1, 2025.
    3. ↑ CBC Sports (October 11, 2002). "Astros decline Shane Reynolds option". CBC News . Retrieved September 12, 2025.
    4. ↑ "Astros give Kent 2-yaar, $18.2 million deal". ESPN.com . Associated Press. December 18, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
    5. ↑ "Colorado Rockies (4) vs Houston Astros (10) box score". Baseball Almanac . April 1, 2003. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
    6. ↑ "Bagwell reaches 2,000 career hits". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 26, 2003. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    7. ↑ O'Hare, Peggy; Bardwell, S. K. (May 1, 2003). "Astros' Lugo off the team after arrest". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved September 10, 2025.
    8. ↑ "Astros dump Lugo". United Press International . May 13, 2003. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
    9. ↑ Schwartzburg, Seth (June 7, 2025). "Today in Astros history - June 16". The Crawfish Boxes. SB Nation . Retrieved July 6, 2025.
    10. ↑ Duarte, Joseph (July 25, 2025). "Billy Wagner by the numbers: Stats that define Astros Hall of Famer's career". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
    11. ↑ Lilly, Brandon (June 12, 2003). "Astros seem a bit baffled by their odd no-hitter". The New York Times . Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    12. ↑ "Astros vs. Yankees - Game Recap". ESPN.com. June 11, 2003. Archived from the original on August 8, 2003.
    13. ↑ "Texas Rangers (10) vs Houston Astros (7) box score". Baseball-Reference.com. June 27, 2003. Retrieved September 14, 2025.
    14. ↑ "Houston Astros 8, San Diego Padres 4". Retrosheet . July 30, 1975. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
    15. ↑ "José Sosa 1975 batting game logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
    16. ↑ Kruger, Justin (September 4, 2006). "September 4, 2006: Charlton Jimerson's home run in first at-bat ends Cole Hamels perfect game bid". Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Retrieved September 13, 2025.
    17. ↑ "Houston 12, Cincinnati 2". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 9, 2003. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
    18. ↑ "Bagwell belts way to 400". Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. July 21, 2003. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
    19. ↑ Krell, David (July 9, 2021). "July 14, 1967: Astros' Eddie Mathews joins 500 Home Run Club". Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Retrieved September 6, 2025.
    20. ↑ Hermoso, Rafael (August 7, 2003). "Astros hit 4 home runs in chugging past the Mets". The New York Times. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
    21. ↑ Marron, Jim (August 20, 2003). "The List: Underrated current athletes". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
    22. ↑ McTaggart, Brian (September 16, 2003). "Game to remember: Richard Hidalgo – Astros slugger remembers three-homer outburst at Coors in 2003". MLB.com. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
    23. ↑ "Houston shortstop Julio Lugo arrested". May 2, 2003.
    24. ↑ "Josh Anderson Stats".
    25. ↑ Gregg Zaun Statistics Baseball-Reference.com
    26. ↑ "Darryl Kile Award". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
    27. ↑ "Houston Astros Player of the Year". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
    28. ↑ "MLB Players of the Week Awards". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
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