2003 Houston Astros | ||
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League | National League | |
Division | Central | |
Ballpark | Minute Maid Park | |
City | Houston, Texas | |
Record | 87–75 (.537) | |
Divisional place | 2nd | |
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) | |
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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.
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.
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.
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]
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. [3]
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. [4]
Following an injury scare to starter Roy Oswalt on June 11, his effort and five Astros relievers combined to throw a no-hitter against the New York Yankees, establishing a 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. [5] [6] It was also Houston's first-ever game in The Bronx.
Playing the Cincinnati Reds 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. [7]
On August 6, shortstop Adam 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. [8]
ESPN published "The List" on August 20, which profiled and ranked Bagwell and Biggio as the second- and third-most underrated athletes of the top four North American professional sports leagues. [9]
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. [10]
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chicago Cubs | 88 | 74 | .543 | — | 44–37 | 44–37 |
Houston Astros | 87 | 75 | .537 | 1 | 48–33 | 39–42 |
St. Louis Cardinals | 85 | 77 | .525 | 3 | 48–33 | 37–44 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 75 | 87 | .463 | 13 | 39–42 | 36–45 |
Cincinnati Reds | 69 | 93 | .426 | 19 | 35–46 | 34–47 |
Milwaukee Brewers | 68 | 94 | .420 | 20 | 31–50 | 37–44 |
Source: MLB Standings Grid – 2003 | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | AZ | ATL | CHC | CIN | COL | FLA | HOU | LAD | MIL | MTL | NYM | PHI | PIT | SD | SF | STL | AL |
Arizona | — | 2–5 | 2–4 | 7–2 | 10–9 | 2–5 | 5–1 | 10–9 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 9–10 | 5–14 | 3–3 | 11–4 |
Atlanta | 5–2 | — | 4–2 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 9–10 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 12–7 | 11–8 | 9–10 | 7–2 | 6–1 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 10–5 |
Chicago | 4–2 | 2–4 | — | 10–7 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 9–7 | 2–4 | 10–6 | 3–3 | 5–1 | 1–5 | 10–8 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 8–9 | 9–9 |
Cincinnati | 2–7 | 3–3 | 7–10 | — | 4–2 | 2–4 | 5–12 | 2–4 | 8–10 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 5–4 | 5–11 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 9–7 | 7–5 |
Colorado | 9–10 | 0–6 | 3–3 | 2–4 | — | 4–2 | 2–4 | 7–12 | 5–1 | 3–4 | 2–5 | 2–4 | 3–6 | 12–7 | 7–12 | 4–2 | 9–6 |
Florida | 5–2 | 10–9 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 2–4 | — | 1–5 | 2–5 | 7–2 | 13–6 | 12–7 | 13–6 | 2–4 | 5–1 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 9–6 |
Houston | 1–5 | 1–5 | 7–9 | 12–5 | 4–2 | 5–1 | — | 4–2 | 9–8 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 10–6 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 11–7 | 11–7 |
Los Angeles | 9–10 | 2–4 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 12–7 | 5–2 | 2–4 | — | 4–2 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 2–5 | 5–1 | 8–11 | 6–13 | 4–2 | 11–7 |
Milwaukee | 3–3 | 2–4 | 6–10 | 10–8 | 1–5 | 2–7 | 8–9 | 2–4 | — | 0–6 | 6–3 | 4–2 | 10–7 | 5–1 | 1–5 | 3–13 | 5–7 |
Montreal | 2–4 | 7–12 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 4–3 | 6–13 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 6–0 | — | 14–5 | 8–11 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 7–0 | 1–5 | 9–9 |
New York | 2–4 | 8–11 | 1–5 | 4–2 | 5–2 | 7–12 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 3–6 | 5–14 | — | 7–12 | 4–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 1–5 | 5–10 |
Philadelphia | 2–4 | 10–9 | 5–1 | 4–5 | 4–2 | 6–13 | 4–2 | 5–2 | 2–4 | 11–8 | 12–7 | — | 2–4 | 4–3 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 8–7 |
Pittsburgh | 3–3 | 2–7 | 8–10 | 11–5 | 6–3 | 4–2 | 6–10 | 1–5 | 7–10 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 4–2 | — | 4–2 | 2–4 | 7–10 | 5–7 |
San Diego | 10–9 | 1–6 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 7–12 | 1–5 | 3–3 | 11–8 | 1–5 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 3–4 | 2–4 | — | 5–14 | 2–4 | 8–10 |
San Francisco | 14–5 | 4–2 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 12–7 | 5–1 | 4–2 | 13–6 | 5–1 | 0–7 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 14–5 | — | 5–1 | 10–8 |
St. Louis | 3–3 | 2–4 | 9–8 | 7–9 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 7–11 | 2–4 | 13–3 | 5–1 | 5–1 | 2–4 | 10–7 | 4–2 | 1–5 | — | 10–8 |
2003 Houston Astros | |||||||||
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Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
| Catchers
Infielders
| Outfielders
Other batters | Manager Coaches
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Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | Brad Ausmus | 143 | 450 | 103 | .229 | 4 | 47 |
1B | Jeff Bagwell | 160 | 605 | 168 | .278 | 39 | 100 |
2B | Jeff Kent | 130 | 505 | 150 | .297 | 22 | 93 |
SS | Adam Everett | 128 | 387 | 99 | .256 | 8 | 51 |
3B | Morgan Ensberg | 127 | 385 | 112 | .291 | 25 | 60 |
LF | Lance Berkman | 153 | 538 | 155 | .288 | 25 | 93 |
CF | Craig Biggio | 153 | 628 | 166 | .264 | 15 | 62 |
RF | Richard Hidalgo | 141 | 514 | 159 | .309 | 28 | 88 |
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geoff Blum | 123 | 420 | 110 | .262 | 10 | 52 |
Orlando Merced | 123 | 212 | 49 | .231 | 3 | 26 |
José Vizcaíno | 91 | 189 | 47 | .249 | 3 | 26 |
Gregg Zaun | 59 | 120 | 26 | .217 | 1 | 13 |
Brian Hunter | 56 | 98 | 23 | .235 | 0 | 13 |
Julio Lugo | 22 | 65 | 16 | .246 | 0 | 2 |
Eric Bruntlett | 31 | 54 | 14 | .259 | 1 | 4 |
Raúl Chávez | 19 | 37 | 10 | .270 | 1 | 4 |
Colin Porter | 24 | 32 | 6 | .188 | 0 | 0 |
Jason Lane | 18 | 27 | 8 | .296 | 4 | 10 |
Mitch Meluskey | 12 | 9 | 1 | .111 | 0 | 2 |
Dave Matranga | 6 | 5 | 1 | .200 | 1 | 1 |
Tripp Cromer | 3 | 4 | 1 | .250 | 0 | 1 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wade Miller | 33 | 187.1 | 14 | 13 | 4.13 | 161 |
Tim Redding | 33 | 176.0 | 10 | 14 | 3.68 | 116 |
Jeriome Robertson | 32 | 160.2 | 15 | 9 | 5.10 | 99 |
Roy Oswalt | 21 | 127.1 | 10 | 5 | 2.97 | 108 |
Ron Villone | 19 | 106.2 | 6 | 6 | 4.13 | 91 |
Jonathan Johnson | 4 | 15.1 | 0 | 1 | 5.87 | 7 |
Brian Moehler | 3 | 13.2 | 0 | 0 | 7.90 | 5 |
Rodrigo Rosario | 2 | 8.0 | 1 | 0 | 1.13 | 6 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jared Fernández | 12 | 38.1 | 3 | 3 | 3.99 | 19 |
Scott Linebrink | 9 | 31.2 | 1 | 1 | 4.26 | 17 |
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billy Wagner | 78 | 1 | 4 | 44 | 1.78 | 105 |
Brad Lidge | 78 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3.60 | 97 |
Octavio Dotel | 76 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2.48 | 97 |
Ricky Stone | 65 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 3.69 | 47 |
Peter Munro | 40 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4.67 | 27 |
Kirk Saarloos | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4.93 | 43 |
Mike Gallo | 32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3.00 | 16 |
Dan Miceli | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2.10 | 20 |
Nate Bland | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5.75 | 18 |
Rick White | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.72 | 17 |
Brandon Puffer | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.14 | 10 |
Bruce Chen | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.00 | 8 |
Kirk Bullinger | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 5 |