| 2003 Houston Astros | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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) | |
| ||
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 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. Moreover, Dotel became the first to strike out four batters in one inning during a no-hitter, and the 45th pitcher overall.
Wagner represented the Astros and played for the National League at the MLB All-Star Game, his third career selection. Bagwell hit his 400th career home run on July 20, becoming the 35th player in major league history to do so.
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]
Following its issuance to Kile from 1991–1997, no other Astros have worn the uniform number 57 since. [2]
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. [3]
For the second time in his career, franchise stalwart Craig Biggio changed positions, serving as the club's primary center fielder in 2003. [6]
| 7 | Craig Biggio | CF |
| 27 | Geoff Blum | 3B |
| 5 | Jeff Bagwell | 1B |
| 17 | Lance Berkman | LF |
| 12 | Jeff Kent | 2B |
| 15 | Richard Hidalgo | RF |
| 11 | Brad Ausmus | C |
| 4 | Julio Lugo | SS |
| 44 | Roy Oswalt | P |
| Venue: | Minute Maid Park • HOU 10, | COL 4 |
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. [9]
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. [10] He was then designated for assignment, subsequently cleared waivers, and given an unconditional release by the club. [11]
The Astros placed Oswalt on the disabled list (DL) on May 18 due to a right groin strain [12]
In his return from the 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. [13]
On June 8, Wagner earned his 200th career save against Tampa Bay. [14]
Following an early departure by starter Roy Oswalt due to a groin injury on June 11, five Astros relievers supervened to sling 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 occasion in a major-league record 6.980 contests that the Yankees had been no-hit, since Hoyt Wilhelm's 1–0 expenditure for the Baltimore Orioles on September 20, 1958. [15] [16] Lidge, who worked the sixth and seventh innings, was credited with the win. Dotel turned in an eventful eighth inning. Frist, Juan Rivera whiffed on three pitches. Next, Alfonso Soriano fouled off three consecutive offerings before swinging and missing on a pitch in the dirt that eluded Brad Ausmus, acquiescing passage for Soriano to scamper safely to first base. Derek Jeter coaxed a full count, but struck out swinging, and Jason Giambi was retired with a swing-and-miss on a 2–2 count. Hence, Dotel became the 45th pitcher to hurl a major-league record tying four-strikeout inning, [17] and the first to do so during a no-hitter. Dotel became the second Astro to achieve this feat, and first since Mike Scott did so on September 3, 1986, versus the Chicago Cubs. [18] Astros pitchers induced 13 total whiffs. [17] It was also Houston's first-ever game in The Bronx.
Oswalt missed time following that start in The Bronx, and was out of action until 26 days later on July 7, when he surrendered one run in six innings to lead a 7–1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. [19]
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. [20] 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. [21] [22] 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. [23]
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. [24]
On July 10, Biggio extended his club record with his 500th career double. [6]
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. [25] 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. [26]
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. [27]
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. [28]
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. [29]
The Astros nearly made the playoffs for the fifth time over seven seasons, in the midst of an unprecedented period of success in franchise history. [30] With an 85–77 record, Houston wound up second in the NL Central division, one game behind the division-champion Chicago Cubs. In the Wild Card race, the Astros trailed the Florida Marlins—that year's eventual World Series champion—by just 4 games, also in second place. [31]
Having scored 805 runs and yielded 677, the club underperformed their Pythagorean expectation of 94–68 (.580). [32]
Though Houston improved by one win from the year prior, it was the second consecutive season missing the playoffs, while missing on consecutive seasons for the first time since 1996. This was also the most games won missing the playoffs since 1993, the year before the Wild Card era. However, the 2003 season continued one of the greatest periods of success, in that it was the third of six consecutive with a winning record, through the 2006 campaign, the second-longest such in club history. They had also agglomerated 84 wins or more in six of each of the seven prior seasons (with 2000 being the exception) and continued to win 84 or more through 2005. [30]
Hidalgo, who led the major leagues with 22 outfield assists, was recognized with the club's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. [6]
Closer Billy Wagner set the Astros' single-season franchise record with a career-high 44 saves. [6]
Starter Jeriome Robertson set a club rookie record with 15 wins, which led all MLB rookies [6] as well as the Astros' pitching staff. [32]
| 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 | MON | 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 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
| Catchers
Infielders
| Outfielders
Other batters | Manager Coaches
| ||||||
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 |
