The 2003 Chicago Cubs season was the 132nd season of the Chicago Cubs franchise, the 128th in the

National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team ...

and the 88th at

Wrigley Field Wrigley Field is a Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs, one of the city's two MLB franchises. It first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for Charles Weeghman's Chicago ...

. The Cubs were managed by

Dusty Baker Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker Jr. (born June 15, 1949) is an American baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in the MLB for 19 seasons, most notably with the Lo ...

in his first year in Chicago. The Cubs went 88–74 during the 2003 season and won the

National League Central Division The National League Central is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the National League West (the Cincinnati Reds and the Houston Astros) and three teams from the National Leagu ...

for the first time since the division's formation in 1994, and the team's first division title since its

1989 File:1989 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The Cypress structure collapses as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, killing motorists below; The proposal document for the World Wide Web is submitted; The Exxon Valdez oil tanker runs ...

NL East title. In the

National League Division Series In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series (NLDS) determines which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series. The Division Series consists of two best-of-five series, featuring ...

, the Cubs defeated the

Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in Bos ...

three games to two for their first postseason series win since 1908. The Cubs lost to the

Florida Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park. The fran ...

four games to three in the

National League Championship Series The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. It is contested by the winners of the two Nation ...

Previous season

The Cubs were coming off of a poor year in 2002, finishing 67–95 in fifth place in the NL Central and costing manager Don Baylor his job. The Cubs hired Dusty Baker, fresh off his

World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...

appearance with the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...

, to replace Baylor.

Offseason

* December 4, 2002: Todd Hundley and Chad Hermansen were traded by the Cubs to the

Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...

for

Mark Grudzielanek Mark James Grudzielanek (; born June 30, 1970) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop. Grudzielanek played for six different teams during his 15-season career. He batted and threw right-handed. He was most recently the ma ...

and

Eric Karros Eric Peter Karros (born November 4, 1967) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. Karros played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1991 to 2004 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Oakland Athletics. He was the Nati ...

. *January 13, 2003:

Midre Cummings Midre Almeric Cummings (born October 14, 1971) is an American former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates (-), Philadelphia Phillies (1997), Boston Red Sox ( and ), Minnesota Tw ...

was signed as a free agent with the Cubs. *January 13, 2003:

Aaron Small Aaron James Small (born November 23, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. Small played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. Regarded as a ...

was signed as a free agent with the Cubs. *March 4, 2003:

Trenidad Hubbard Trenidad Aviel Hubbard (born Trent Hubbard' May 11, 1964) is a former Major League Baseball journeyman outfielder. He is an alumnus of Southern University and A&M College. Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 1986 MLB amateu ...

was signed as a free agent with the Cubs. *March 29, 2003: Aaron Small was released by the Cubs.

Regular season

Summary

The team's success can be attributed first and foremost to its starting rotation, which featured

Mark Prior Mark William Prior (born September 7, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current coach. A onetime top prospect of the Chicago Cubs, he pitched for the team from 2002 to 2006 in a career that was marred by injuries. In ...

Kerry Wood Kerry Lee Wood (born June 16, 1977) is an American former baseball pitcher who played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, and New York Yankees. Wood first came to prominence as a 20-year-old rook ...

Carlos Zambrano Carlos Alberto Zambrano Matos (born June 1, 1981), nicknamed "Big Z" or "El Toro", is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2001 to 2012 for the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins. Zambrano ...

, and

Matt Clement Matthew Paul Clement (born August 12, 1974) is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Clement played for the San Diego Padres (–), Florida Marlins (), Chicago Cubs (–) and Boston Red Sox (–). While on the Red Sox active roster, he ...

, each of whom won at least 13 games. The pitching staff as a whole led the National League in strikeouts with 1,404, over 100 more than any other team. While not nearly as dominant in hitting, the Cubs' lineup was bolstered by acquisitions at what was a very active trade deadline, including

Aramis Ramírez Aramis Nin Ramírez (; born June 25, 1978) is a Dominican former professional baseball third baseman, who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers. He was named an All-Sta ...

Randall Simon Randall Carlito Simon (born May 25, 1975) is a Curaçaoan former professional baseball first baseman. He has played all or parts of eight seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), LVBP and one in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) between 1997 a ...

, and

Kenny Lofton Kenneth Lofton (born May 31, 1967) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) center fielder. Lofton was a six-time All-Star (1994–1999), four-time Gold Glove Award winner (1993–1996), and at retirement, was ranked 15th amon ...

. The team started slow but finished September with a 19–8 record to win the NL Central. As the division winner with the third best record, the Cubs faced the Atlanta Braves who had finished the season in a tie for the best record in the majors in a best of five games format. The Cubs won the first game of the series and the teams alternated wins leading to a game 5 at

Turner Field Turner Field was a baseball stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia. From 1997 to 2016, it served as the home ballpark to the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Originally built as Centennial Olympic Stadium in 1996 to serve as the c ...

to determine the series winner. The Cubs won the game 5–1. The series win, their first since 1908, resulted in a matchup against the Florida Marlins for the right to go to the

. The Marlins won the first game in Chicago, but the Cubs won the next three to take a three games to one lead. Florida won game five as the series shifted back to Chicago for games six and seven. With Mark Prior on the mound, the Cubs took a 3–1 lead into the 8th inning before a series of errors led to an 8-run inning for the Marlins. The win forced a game seven with Kerry Wood on the mound for the Cubs. In a high-scoring affair that included a Kerry Wood home run, the Marlins shocked the Cubs 9–6 to deny the Cubs a trip to their first World Series since

1945 1945 marked the end of World War II and the fall of Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan. It is also the only year in which Nuclear weapon, nuclear weapons Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have been used in combat. Events Below, ...

. The 2003 season brought a great deal of national attention to the Cubs, both positive and negative. On one hand, their surprising regular season run to first place in the NL Central, and the excellent performances of their top three pitchers, all of whom were age 26 or younger, seemed to suggest that the Cubs would be contenders for the foreseeable future. At the same time, however, the Cubs' squandering of the 3-1 series lead in the NLCS, and the manner in which it occurred, seemed to reaffirm the perceptions of the Cubs as "

lovable loser The lovable loser is a character archetype portrayed as a sympathetic, likable, or well-meaning person for whom bad luck continually prevents their various efforts from succeeding, and from obtaining the things they feel will bring them happiness,S ...

s" and a cursed franchise.

Season standings

National League Central

Record vs. opponents

Transactions

*April 21, 2003: Trenidad Hubbard was purchased by the Cubs from Oaxaca (Mexican League). *May 9, 2003: Alan Benes was sent to the Texas Rangers by the Cubs as part of a conditional deal. *June 3, 2003:

Sam Fuld Samuel Babson Fuld (born November 20, 1981) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and the current general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He played eight seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Tampa B ...

was drafted by the Cubs in the 24th round of the 2003 amateur draft, but did not sign. *June 3, 2003:

Tim Lincecum Timothy Leroy Lincecum ( ; born June 15, 1984), nicknamed "The Freak", "The Franchise", "The Freaky Franchise" and "Big Time Timmy Jim", is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San ...

was drafted by the Cubs in the 48th round of the 2003 amateur draft, but did not sign. *June 20, 2003: Mark Bellhorn was traded by the Cubs to the Colorado Rockies for José Hernández. * July 23, 2003:

and Aramis Ramírez were traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates with cash to the Cubs for a player to be named later, José Hernández, and Matt Bruback. The Cubs sent Bobby Hill (August 15, 2003) to the Pirates to complete the trade. *August 17, 2003:

was traded by the Pirates to the Cubs for Ray Sadler.

Roster

Game log

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 1 , , March 31 , , @

Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

, , 15–2 , ,

Wood Wood is a porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees and other woody plants. It is an organic materiala natural composite of cellulose fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin ...

(1–0) , , Glavine (0–1) , , , , 53,586 , , 1–0 ,

, - , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 2 , , April 2 , , @

, , 4–1 , , Al Leiter, Leiter (1–0) , , Clement (0–1) , , Benítez (1) , , 20,594 , , 1–1 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 3 , , April 3 , , @

, , 6–3 , , Mark Prior, Prior (1–0) , , Trachsel (0–1) , , , , 17,244 , , 2–1 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 4 , , April 4 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 10–9 , , Williamson (1–0) , , Veres (0–1) , , , , 29,048 , , 2–2 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 5 , , April 5 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 9–7 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (1–0) , , Haynes (0–2) , , Borowski (1) , , 28,908 , , 3–2 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 6 , , April 6 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 5–4 , , Gabe White, White (1–0) , , Guthrie (0–1) , , Williamson (1) , , 24,023 , , 3–3 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" , – , , April 7 , , Montreal Expos, Expos , , colspan=7, ''Postponed (snow)'' Rescheduled for April 8 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 7 , , April 8 , , Montreal Expos, Expos , , 6–1 , , Clement (1–1) , , Day (1–1) , , , , 29,138 , , 4–3 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 8 , , April 9 , , Montreal Expos, Expos , , 3–0 , , Mark Prior, Prior (2–0) , , Javier Vázquez (baseball), Vázquez (1–1) , , , , 29,966 , , 5–3 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 9 , , April 10 , , Montreal Expos, Expos , , 7–1 , , Tony Armas Jr., Armas (2–1) , ,

Estes Estes is an English-language surname said to derive from Old English and have the meaning "of the East" (literally, "East's"). As a surname, it has been traced to southern Kent, as early as the mid-15th century, Nicholas Estes (Ewstas, Esteuzi) b. ...

(0–1) , , , , 30,225 , , 5–4 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 10 , , April 11 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 3–2 , , D'Amico (1–1) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (1–1) , , Williams (5) , , 33,605 , , 5–5 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 11 , , April 12 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 4–0 , ,

(2–0) , , Kris Benson, Benson (2–1) , , Borowski (2) , , 35,226 , , 6–5 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 12 , , April 13 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 4–3 , , Kyle Farnsworth, Farnsworth (1–0) , , Boehringer (0–1) , , Borowski (3) , , 29,558 , , 7–5 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 13 , , April 14 , , Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 11–3 , , Jimmy Anderson (baseball), Anderson (1–1) , , Mark Prior, Prior (2–1) , , Riedling (1) , , 37,528 , , 7–6 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 14 , , April 15 , , Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 11–1 , ,

(1–1) , , Danny Graves, Graves (0–2) , , , , 31,642 , , 8–6 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 15 , , April 16 , , Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 10–4 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (2–1) , , Paul Wilson (baseball), Wilson (0–1) , , , , 27,388 , , 9–6 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 16 , , April 17 , , Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 16–3 , ,

(3–0) , , Haynes (0–4) , , Alan Benes, Benes (1) , , 29,672 , , 10–6 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 17 , , April 18 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 7–2 , , Clement (2–1) , , Kris Benson, Benson (2–2) , , , , 15,037 , , 11–6 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 18 , , April 19 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 6 – 1 (10) , , Mark Prior, Prior (3–1) , , Scott Sauerbeck, Sauerbeck (0–1) , , , , 31,518 , , 12–6 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 19 , , April 20 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 8–2 , , Salomón Torres, Torres (2–0) , ,

(1–2) , , , , 14,854 , , 12–7 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 20 , , April 22 , , San Diego Padres, Padres , , 7–2 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (3–1) , ,

Lawrence Lawrence may refer to: Education Colleges and universities * Lawrence Technological University, a university in Southfield, Michigan, United States * Lawrence University, a liberal arts university in Appleton, Wisconsin, United States Preparator ...

(2–2) , , , , 35,185 , , 13–7 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 21 , , April 23 , , San Diego Padres, Padres , , 2–0 , , Adam Eaton (pitcher), Eaton (1–1) , ,

(3–1) , , Herges (1) , , 35,768 , , 13–8 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 22 , , April 24 , , San Diego Padres, Padres , , 2–1 , , Óliver Pérez, Pérez (1–2) , , Clement (2–2) , ,

Wright Wright is an occupational surname originating in England. The term 'Wright' comes from the circa 700 AD Old English word 'wryhta' or 'wyrhta', meaning worker or shaper of wood. Later it became any occupational worker (for example, a shipwright i ...

(2) , , 35,673 , , 13–9 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 23 , , April 25 , , @ Colorado Rockies, Rockies , , 11–7 , , Mark Prior, Prior (4–1) , ,

Cruz Cruz is a surname of Iberian Peninsula, Iberian origin, first found in Castile (historical region), Castile, Spain, but later spread throughout the territories of the former Spanish Empire, Spanish and Portuguese Empires. In Spanish and Portugu ...

(3–1) , , , , 32,162 , , 14–9 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 24 , , April 26 , , @ Colorado Rockies, Rockies , , 8–5 , , Shawn Chacón, Chacón (4–0) , ,

(1–3) , , Jiménez (5) , , 35,604 , , 14–10 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 25 , , April 27 , , @ Colorado Rockies, Rockies , , 6–3 , , Darren Oliver, Oliver (1–2) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (3–2) , , Jiménez (6) , , 35,070 , , 14–11 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 26 , , April 29 , , @ San Francisco Giants, Giants , , 4–2 , ,

(4–1) , , Rueter (2–1) , , Borowski (4) , , 39,839 , , 15–11 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 27 , , April 30 , , @ San Francisco Giants, Giants , , 5–0 , , Jason Schmidt, Schmidt (3–0) , , Clement (2–3) , , , , 40,124 , , 15–12 ,

, - , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 28 , , May 1 , , @ San Francisco Giants, Giants , , 5 – 1 (10) , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (1–0) , , Worrell (1–1) , , , , 41,524 , , 16–12 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 29 , , May 2 , , Colorado Rockies, Rockies , , 7–4 , ,

(2–3) , , Shawn Chacón, Chacón (4–1) , , Borowski (5) , , 29,236 , , 17–12 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 30 , , May 3 , , Colorado Rockies, Rockies , , 6–4 , , Justin Speier, Speier (2–0) , , Guthrie (0–2) , , Jiménez (7) , , 38,332 , , 17–13 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 31 , , May 4 , , Colorado Rockies, Rockies , , 5 – 4 (10), , Borowski (1–0) , , Steve Reed (baseball), Reed (2–1) , , , , 37,223 , , 18–13 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 32 , , May 5 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 5–3 , ,

Sheets A bed sheet is a rectangular piece of cloth used either singly or in a pair as bedding, which is larger in length and width than a mattress, and which is placed immediately above a mattress or bed, but below blankets and other bedding (such as ...

(3–3) , , Clement (2–4) , , DeJean (6) , , 35,304 , , 18–14 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 33 , , May 6 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 9–6 , , Curt Leskanic, Leskanic (2–0) , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (1–1) , , DeJean (7) , , 34,240 , , 18–15 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 34 , , May 7 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 2–1 , ,

(3–3) , , Glendon Rusch, Rusch (1–6) , , Borowski (6) , , 37,574 , , 19–15 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 35 , , May 9 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 6–3 , ,

Morris Morris may refer to: Places Australia *St Morris, South Australia, place in South Australia Canada * Morris Township, Ontario, now part of the municipality of Morris-Turnberry * Rural Municipality of Morris, Manitoba ** Morris, Manitob ...

(4–2) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (3–3) , , Fassero (1) , , 38,531 , , 19–16 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 36 , , May 10 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 3 – 2 (10) , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (1–0) , , Eldred (2–1) , , , , 38,106 , , 20–16 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" , – , , May 11 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , colspan=7, ''Postponed (rain)'' Rescheduled for September 2 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 37 , , May 12 , , @ Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 11–5 , , Mark Prior, Prior (5–1) , , Glendon Rusch, Rusch (1–7) , , , , 19,106 , , 21–16 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 38 , , May 13 , , @ Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 7–2 , ,

(4–3) , , Ruben Quevedo, Quevedo (0–1) , , , , 18,454 , , 22–16 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 39 , , May 14 , , @ Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 6–1 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (4–3) , , Matt Kinney, Kinney (2–3) , , , , 27,566 , , 23–16 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 40 , , May 15 , , @ Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 4 – 2 (17) , , Kyle Farnsworth, Farnsworth (2–0) , , Brooks Kieschnick, Kieschnick (0–1) , , Wellemeyer (1) , , 31,624 , , 24–16 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 41 , , May 16 , , @ St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 7–4 , , Woody Williams, Williams (5–0) , , Clement (2–5) , , Eldred (2) , , 42,589 , , 24–17 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 42 , , May 17 , , @ St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 2–1 , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (2–0) , , Steve Kline (left-handed pitcher), Kline (1–4) , , Borowski (7) , , 45,385 , , 25–17 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 43 , , May 18 , , @ St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 6–3 , , Dustin Hermanson, Hermanson (1–1) , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (1–2) , , Eldred (3) , , 45,773 , , 25–18 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 44 , , May 19 , , @ St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 2–0 , ,

(5–3) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (4–4) , , , , 46,734 , , 25–19 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" , – , , May 20 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , colspan=7, ''Postponed (rain)'' Rescheduled for September 19 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 45 , , May 21 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 5–2 , , D'Amico (4–4) , ,

(4–2) , , Williams (13) , , 35,086 , , 25–20 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 46 , , May 22 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 3–2 , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (3–0) , , Scott Sauerbeck, Sauerbeck (0–4) , , Borowski (8) , , 14,544 , , 26–20 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 47 , , May 23 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 7–5 , , Linebrink (1–1) , , Mark Prior, Prior (5–2) , ,

Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner ( ; ; 22 May 181313 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his mature works were later known, "music dramas"). Unlike most op ...

(13) , , 29,660 , , 26–21 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 48 , , May 24 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 3–2 , ,

(5–3) , , Tim Redding, Redding (3–4) , , Borowski (9) , , 37,839 , , 27–21 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 49 , , May 25 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 7–3 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (5–4) , , Wade Miller, Miller (2–6) , , , , 37,565 , , 28–21 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 50 , , May 26 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 10–0 , , Josh Fogg, Fogg (2–2) , ,

(4–3) , , , , 40,225 , , 28–22 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 51 , , May 27 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 9–4 , , Kris Benson, Benson (5–5) , , Clement (2–6) , , , , 35,961 , , 28–23 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 52 , , May 28 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 5–4 , , Mark Prior, Prior (6–2) , , D'Amico (4–5) , , Borowski (10) , , 32,406 , , 29–23 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 53 , , May 30 , , Houston Astros, Astros , , 9–1 , , Wade Miller, Miller (3–6) , ,

(5–4) , , , , 36,687 , , 29–24 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 54 , , May 31 , , Houston Astros, Astros , , 1 – 0 (16) , , Wellemeyer (1–0) , , Ricky Stone, Stone (4–1) , , , , 37,719 , , 30–24 ,

, - , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 55 , , June 1 , , Houston Astros, Astros , , 9–3 , , Jeriome Robertson, Robertson (4–3) , ,

(4–4) , , , , 37,787 , , 30–25 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 56 , , June 3 , , Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Devil Rays , , 3–2 , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (4–0) , ,

Levine Levine (French transliteration from Russian) / Levin (surname), Levin (English transliteration from Russian Левин) is a common Jewish language, Jewish (Ashkenazi Jewish) surname. Levinsky is a variation with the same meaning (see French version ...

(2–2) , , , , 32,210 , , 31–25 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 57 , , June 4 , , Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Devil Rays , , 5–2 , , Víctor Zambrano, Zambrano (2–3) , ,

(5–5) , , , , 33,317 , , 31–26 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 58 , , June 5 , , Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Devil Rays , , 8–1 , , Clement (3–6) , , Dewon Brazelton, Brazelton (1–5) , , , , 28,713 , , 32–26 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 59 , , June 6 , , New York Yankees, Yankees , , 5–3 , , Wells (8–2) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (5–5) , ,

Rivera Rivera () is the capital of Rivera Department of Uruguay. The border with Brazil joins it with the Brazilian city of Santana do Livramento, which is only a street away from it, at the north end of Route 5. Together, they form an urban area of aro ...

(5) , , 39,359 , , 32–27 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 60 , , June 7 , , New York Yankees, Yankees , , 5–2 , ,

(5–4) , , Roger Clemens, Clemens (6–4) , , , , 39,363 , , 33–27 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 61 , , June 8 , , New York Yankees, Yankees , , 8–7 , , Mark Prior, Prior (7–2) , , Andy Pettitte, Pettitte (5–6) , , Borowski (11) , , 39,341 , , 34–27 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 62 , , June 10 , , @ Baltimore Orioles, Orioles , , 4–0 , ,

(6–5) , , Hentgen (1–4) , , , , 32,484 , , 35–27 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 63 , , June 11 , , @ Baltimore Orioles, Orioles , , 7–6 , , Clement (4–6) , , Omar Daal, Daal (4–7) , , Borowski (12) , , 28,013 , , 36–27 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 64 , , June 12 , , @ Baltimore Orioles, Orioles , , 6–1 , , Rick Helling, Helling (4–4) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (5–6) , , Driskill (1) , , 30,557 , , 36–28 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 65 , , June 13 , , @ Toronto Blue Jays, Blue Jays , , 5–1 , , Escobar (4–3) , ,

(5–5) , , , , 23,018 , , 36–29 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 66 , , June 14 , , @ Toronto Blue Jays, Blue Jays , , 4–2 , , Mark Prior, Prior (8–2) , , Doug Davis (pitcher), Davis (3–4) , , Borowski (13) , , 33,167 , , 37–29 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 67 , , June 15 , , @ Toronto Blue Jays, Blue Jays , , 5 – 4 (10) , , Aquilino López, López (1–1) , , Guthrie (0–3) , , , , 34,221 , , 37–30 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 68 , , June 16 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 4–3 , , Clement (5–6) , , Jimmy Anderson (baseball), Anderson (1–3) , , Borowski (14) , , 28,669 , , 38–30 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 69 , , June 17 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 2 – 1 (10) , , Williamson (4–2) , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (4–1) , , , , 28,999 , , 38–31 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 70 , , June 18 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 4–1 , ,

(6–5) , , Haynes (1–6) , , , , 39,053 , , 39–31 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 71 , , June 19 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 3–1 , , Paul Wilson (baseball), Wilson (5–4) , , Mark Prior, Prior (8–3) , , Williamson (17) , , 41,692 , , 39–32 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 72 , , June 20 , , Chicago White Sox, White Sox , , 12–3 , ,

Garland A garland is a decorative braid, knot or wreath of flowers, leaves, or other material. Garlands can be worn on the head or around the neck, hung on an inanimate object, or laid in a place of cultural or religious importance. Etymology From the ...

(5–6) , ,

(6–6) , , , , 39,080 , , 39–33 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 73 , , June 21 , , Chicago White Sox, White Sox , , 7–6 , , Mark Buehrle, Buehrle (4–10) , , Clement (5–7) , , Koch (10) , , 38,938 , , 39–34 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 74 , , June 22 , , Chicago White Sox, White Sox , , 2–1 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (6–6) , , Dámaso Marte, Marte (2–1) , , Borowski (15) , , 38,223 , , 40–34 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 75 , , June 24 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 9–1 , ,

(7–5) , , Ruben Quevedo, Quevedo (1–4) , , , , 40,389 , , 41–34 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 76 , , June 25 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 12 – 6 (10) , , Luis Vizcaíno, Vizcaíno (2–3) , , Wellemeyer (1–1) , , , , 38,357 , , 41–35 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 77 , , June 26 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 5–3 , , Leo Estrella, Estrella (2–0) , , Borowski (1–1) , , DeJean (16) , , 39,711 , , 41–36 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 78 , , June 27 , , @ Chicago White Sox, White Sox , , 4–3 , , Koch (3–4) , , Antonio Alfonseca, Alfonseca (0–1) , , , , 45,147 , , 41–37 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 79 , , June 28 , , @ Chicago White Sox, White Sox , , 7–6 , , Koch (4–4) , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (1–3) , , , , 45,440 , , 41–38 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 80 , , June 29 , , @ Chicago White Sox, White Sox , , 5–2 , ,

(8–5) , , Esteban Loaiza, Loaiza (11–3) , , , , 44,858 , , 42–38 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 81 , , June 30 , , @ Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies , , 4–3 , , Padilla (7–7) , ,

(6–7) , ,

Mesa A mesa is an isolated, flat-topped elevation, ridge or hill, which is bounded from all sides by steep escarpments and stands distinctly above a surrounding plain. Mesas characteristically consist of flat-lying soft sedimentary rocks capped by a ...

(18) , , 23,323 , , 42–39 ,

, - , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 82 , , July 1 , , @ Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies , , 4–3 , , Terry Adams (baseball), Adams (1–2) , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (4–2) , , , , 25,307 , , 42–40 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 83 , , July 2 , , @ Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies , , 1–0 , , Kyle Farnsworth, Farnsworth (3–0) , , Turk Wendell, Wendell (1–2) , , Borowski (16) , , 23,591 , , 43–40 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 84 , , July 3 , , @ Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies , , 12–2 , , Brett Myers, Myers (8–6) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (6–7) , , , , 57,326 , , 43–41 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 85 , , July 4 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 11–8 , , Brett Tomko, Tomko (5–5) , ,

(8–6) , , , , 39,756 , , 43–42 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 86 , , July 5 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 6–5 , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (5–2) , , Fassero (1–4) , , , , 38,953 , , 44–42 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 87 , , July 6 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 4–1 , , Woody Williams, Williams (11–3) , , Mark Prior, Prior (8–4) , , Jason Isringhausen, Isringhausen (3) , , 37,713 , , 44–43 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 88 , , July 7 , , Florida Marlins, Marlins , , 6–3 , , Clement (6–7) , , Beckett (3–4) , , Borowski (17) , , 38,662 , , 45–43 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 89 , , July 8 , , Florida Marlins, Marlins , , 4–3 , , Nate Bump, Bump (2–0) , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (5–3) , ,

Looper Looper may refer to: Animals * Cabbage looper (''Trichoplusia ni''), a member of the moth family Noctuidae * Inchworm, of the insect order Lepidoptera, the moths and butterflies People * Looper (surname), a Dutch-language surname with the mean ...

(16) , , 33,227 , , 45–44 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 90 , , July 9 , , Florida Marlins, Marlins , , 5–1 , ,

(9–6) , , Carl Pavano, Pavano (6–10) , , , , 33,054 , , 46–44 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 91 , , July 10 , , Atlanta Braves, Braves , , 13–3 , , Maddux (7–8) , ,

(6–8) , , , , 38,756 , , 46–45 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 92 , , July 11 , , Atlanta Braves, Braves , , 9–5 , , Mike Hampton, Hampton (5–5) , , Mark Prior, Prior (8–5) , , , , 39,334 , , 46–46 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 93 , , July 12 , , Atlanta Braves, Braves , , 7–3 , , Clement (7–7) , , Horacio Ramírez, Ramírez (8–3) , , , , 39,980 , , 47–46 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 94 , , July 13 , , Atlanta Braves, Braves , , 7–2 , , Shane Reynolds, Reynolds (7–4) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (6–8) , , , , 39,832 , , 47–47 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 95 , , July 18 , , @ Florida Marlins, Marlins , , 6–0 , , Mark Redman, Redman (8–4) , , Clement (7–8) , , , , 26,174 , , 47–48 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 96 , , July 19 , , @ Florida Marlins, Marlins , , 1–0 , ,

(10–6) , , Brad Penny, Penny (8–7) , , , , 30,432 , , 48–48 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 97 , , July 20 , , @ Florida Marlins, Marlins , , 16–2 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (7–8) , , Dontrelle Willis, Willis (9–2) , , , , 25,574 , , 49–48 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 98 , , July 21 , , @ Atlanta Braves, Braves , , 15–6 , , Veres (1–1) , , Shane Reynolds, Reynolds (7–5) , , , , 39,950 , , 50–48 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 99 , , July 22 , , @ Atlanta Braves, Braves , , 8–4 , , Maddux (9–8) , , Sergio Mitre, Mitre (0–1) , , , , 39,226 , , 50–49 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 100 , , July 23 , , Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies , , 3–0 , , Randy Wolf, Wolf (11–5) , , Clement (7–9) , , , , 40,377 , , 50–50 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 101 , , July 24 , , Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies , , 14–6 , , Padilla (9–8) , ,

(10–7) , , , , 40,266 , , 50–51 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 102 , , July 25 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 5–3 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (8–8) , , Octavio Dotel, Dotel (6–4) , , Borowski (18) , , 43,013 , , 51–51 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 103 , , July 26 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 3–1 , , Tim Redding, Redding (7–9) , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (1–4) , ,

(31) , , 42,679 , , 51–52 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 104 , , July 27 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 5–3 , ,

(7–8) , , Jeriome Robertson, Robertson (10–4) , , Borowski (19) , , 42,422 , , 52–52 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 105 , , July 29 , , San Francisco Giants, Giants , , 3–0 , , Clement (8–9) , , Damian Moss, Moss (9–7) , , , , 40,221 , , 53–52 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 106 , , July 30 , , San Francisco Giants, Giants , , 6–3 , , Jason Schmidt, Schmidt (11–4) , ,

(10–8) , , , , 39,973 , , 53–53 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 107 , , July 31 , , San Francisco Giants, Giants , , 9–4 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (9–8) , , Jim Brower, Brower (7–3) , , , , 39,422 , , 54–53 ,

, - , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 108 , , August 1 , , Arizona Diamondbacks, D-backs , , 4 – 3 (14) , , Antonio Alfonseca, Alfonseca (1–1) , , Oropesa (2–2) , , , , 38,738 , , 55–53 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 109 , , August 2 , , Arizona Diamondbacks, D-backs , , 4–3 , , Óscar Villarreal (baseball), Villarreal (7–4) , , Borowski (1–2) , , Mantei (12) , , 40,304 , , 55–54 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 110 , , August 3 , , Arizona Diamondbacks, D-backs , , 2–1 , , Clement (9–9) , , Óscar Villarreal (baseball), Villarreal (7–5) , , Veres (1) , , 39,473 , , 56–54 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 111 , , August 5 , , @ San Diego Padres, Padres , , 3–0 , , Mark Prior, Prior (9–5) , ,

(5–14) , , Borowski (20) , , 30,932 , , 57–54 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 112 , , August 6 , , @ San Diego Padres, Padres , , 3–2 , ,

(11–8) , , Adam Eaton (pitcher), Eaton (6–8) , , Borowski (21) , , 29,265 , , 58–54 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 113 , , August 7 , , @ San Diego Padres, Padres , , 9–3 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (10–8) , , Kevin Jarvis, Jarvis (4–4) , , , , 27,673 , , 59–54 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 114 , , August 8 , , @ LA Dodgers, Dodgers , , 3–1 , ,

Ashby Ashby may refer to: People * Ashby (surname) * Alan la Zouche, 1st Baron la Zouche of Ashby (1267–1314), governor of Rockingham Castle and steward of Rockingham Forest, England * Walter Ashby Plecker (1861–1947), American physician and publi ...

(3–9) , ,

(7–9) , , Gagné (31) , , 52,911 , , 59–55 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 115 , , August 9 , , @ LA Dodgers, Dodgers , , 6–1 , , Wilson Álvarez, Álvarez (2–1) , , Clement (9–10) , , , , 54,181 , , 59–56 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 116 , , August 10 , , @ LA Dodgers, Dodgers , , 3–1 , , Mark Prior, Prior (10–5) , , Kevin Brown (right-handed pitcher), Brown (11–6) , , , , 51,729 , , 60–56 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 117 , , August 11 , , Houston Astros, Astros , , 3–1 , , Wade Miller, Miller (9–10) , ,

(11–9) , ,

(34) , , 39,889 , , 60–57 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 118 , , August 12 , , Houston Astros, Astros , , 3–0 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (11–8) , , Tim Redding, Redding (8–10) , , , , 39,751 , , 61–57 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 119 , , August 13 , , Houston Astros, Astros , , 6–4 , , Guthrie (1–3) , , Jeriome Robertson, Robertson (11–6) , , Borowski (22) , , 39,631 , , 62–57 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 120 , , August 14 , , Houston Astros, Astros , , 7–1 , , Clement (10–10) , , Jared Fernandez, Fernandez (1–2) , , , , 39,769 , , 63–57 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 121 , , August 15 , , LA Dodgers, Dodgers , , 2–1 , , Mark Prior, Prior (11–5) , , Masao Kida, Kida (0–1) , , , , 40,188 , , 64–57 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 122 , , August 16 , , LA Dodgers, Dodgers , , 10–5 , , Odalis Pérez, Pérez (9–9) , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (5–4) , , , , 40,032 , , 64–58 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 123 , , August 17 , , LA Dodgers, Dodgers , , 3–0 , , Hideo Nomo, Nomo (14–9) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (11–9) , , Gagné (41) , , 40,124 , , 64–59 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 124 , , August 19 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 12–8 , , Dan Miceli, Miceli (2–3) , , Clement (10–11) , , , , 32,707 , , 64–60 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 125 , , August 20 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 6–0 , , Mark Prior, Prior (12–5) , , Jared Fernandez, Fernandez (1–3) , , , , 32,810 , , 65–60 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 126 , , August 21 , , @ Houston Astros, Astros , , 9–3 , , Ron Villone, Villone (5–2) , ,

(11–10) , , , , 29,555 , , 65–60 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 127 , , August 22 , , @ Arizona Diamondbacks, D-backs , , 4–1 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (12–9) , , Curt Schilling, Schilling (7–7) , , , , 39,612 , , 66–61 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 128 , , August 23 , , @ Arizona Diamondbacks, D-backs , , 13–2 , , Miguel Batista, Batista (8–7) , ,

(7–10) , , , , 40,820 , , 66–62 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 129 , , August 24 , , @ Arizona Diamondbacks, D-backs , , 5–3 , , Clement (11–11) , , Stephen Randolph, Randolph (7–1) , , Borowski (23) , , 40,129 , , 67–62 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 130 , , August 26 , , @ St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 7–4 , , Mark Prior, Prior (13–5) , , Garrett Stephenson, Stephenson (7–13) , , , , 36,563 , , 68–62 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 131 , , August 27 , , @ St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 4–2 , , Steve Kline (left-handed pitcher), Kline (5–5) , , Kyle Farnsworth, Farnsworth (3–1) , , Jason Isringhausen, Isringhausen (15) , , 32,667 , , 68–63 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 132 , , August 28 , , @ St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 3–2 , , DeJean (5–7) , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (5–5) , , , , 37,370 , , 68–64 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 133 , , August 29 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 4–2 , , Clement (12–11) , ,

(10–11) , , , , 38,215 , , 69–64 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 134 , , August 30 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 9–5 , , Matt Kinney, Kinney (10–9) , ,

(7–11) , , , , 39,805 , , 69–65 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 135 , , August 31 , , Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 2–0 , , Doug Davis (pitcher), Davis (6–6) , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (1–5) , , Danny Kolb, Kolb (14) , , 38,946 , , 69–66 ,

, - , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 136 , , September 1 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 7–0 , , Mark Prior, Prior (14–5) , , Woody Williams, Williams (14–7) , , , , 38,410 , , 70–66 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 137 , , September 2 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 4 – 2 (15) , , Guthrie (2–3) , , Fassero (1–7) , , , , 31,990 , , 71–66 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 138 , , September 2 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 2–0 , ,

(9–6) , ,

(11–11) , , Jason Isringhausen, Isringhausen (17) , , 39,290 , , 71–67 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 139 , , September 3 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 8–7 , , Borowski (2–2) , , Woody Williams, Williams (14–8) , , , , 32,710 , , 72–67 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 140 , , September 4 , , St. Louis Cardinals, Cardinals , , 7–6 , , Mike Remlinger, Remlinger (6–5) , , DeJean (5–8) , , Borowski (24) , , 35,129 , , 73–67 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 141 , , September 5 , , @ Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 4–2 , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (2–5) , ,

(10–12) , , Borowski (25) , , 42,909 , , 74–67 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 142 , , September 6 , , @ Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 8–4 , , Mark Prior, Prior (15–5) , , Matt Kinney, Kinney (10–10) , , , , 46,218 , , 75–67 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 143 , , September 7 , , @ Milwaukee Brewers, Brewers , , 9–2 , ,

(12–11) , , Doug Davis (pitcher), Davis (6–7) , , , , 42,127 , , 76–67 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 144 , , September 9 , , @ Montreal Expos, Expos , , 4–3 , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (13–9) , , Day (7–7) , , Borowski (26) , , 15,632 , , 77–67 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 145 , , September 10 , , @ Montreal Expos, Expos , , 8–4 , , Luis Ayala (baseball), Ayala (9–3) , , Kyle Farnsworth, Farnsworth (3–2) , , , , 18,002 , , 77–68 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 146 , , September 11 , , @ Montreal Expos, Expos , , 3–2 , , Tomokazu Ohka, Ohka (9–12) , , Mark Prior, Prior (15–6) , ,

Eischen Eischen ( lb, Äischen) is the largest town in the commune of Habscht in south-western Luxembourg, and its administrative centre. As of 2005, the town has a population of 1,532. Name Eischen takes its name from the river Eisch, which flows thro ...

(1) , , 12,559 , , 77–69 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 147 , , September 12 , , Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 7–6 , , Antonio Alfonseca, Alfonseca (2–1) , , Scott Randall, Randall (2–2) , , Borowski (27) , , 38,219 , , 78–69 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 148 , , September 13 , , Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 9–6 , , Antonio Alfonseca, Alfonseca (3–1) , , Matt Belisle, Belisle (1–1) , , Borowski (28) , , 39,983 , , 79–69 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 149 , , September 14 , , Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 1–0 , , Riedling (2–3) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (13–10) , , Chris Reitsma, Reitsma (9) , , 38,827 , , 79–70 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 150 , , September 15 , ,

, , 4–1 , , Clement (13–11) , , Jeremy Griffiths, Griffiths (1–3) , , Borowski (29) , , 38,698 , , 80–70 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 151 , , September 16 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Mark Prior, Prior (16–6) , , Jae Weong Seo, Seo (8–12) , , Borowski (30) , , 39,534 , , 81–70 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 152 , , September 17 , ,

, , 2–0 , ,

(13–11) , , Al Leiter, Leiter (14–9) , , , , 38,482 , , 82–70 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 153 , , September 19 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 10–9 , , Veres (2–1) , , Nelson Figueroa, Figueroa (2–1) , , Borowski (31) , , , , 83–70 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 154 , , September 19 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 10–6 , , Salomón Torres, Torres (6–5) , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (2–6) , , , , 16,248 , , 83–71 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 155 , , September 20 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 8–2 , , Ryan Vogelsong, Vogelsong (2–1) , , Clement (13–12) , , , , 32,869 , , 83–72 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 156 , , September 21 , , @ Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 4–1 , , Mark Prior, Prior (17–6) , , Óliver Pérez, Pérez (4–10) , , Borowski (32) , , 21,497 , , 84–72 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 157 , , September 23 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 6–0 , ,

(14–11) , , Scott Randall, Randall (2–4) , , , , 26,124 , , 85–72 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 158 , , September 24 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 8–0 , ,

(8–11) , , Josh Hall (baseball), Hall (0–2) , , , , 27,021 , , 86–72 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 159 , , September 25 , , @ Cincinnati Reds, Reds , , 9–7 , , Todd Van Poppel, Van Poppel (3–1) , , Carlos Zambrano, Zambrano (13–11) , , Chris Reitsma, Reitsma (12) , , 36,963 , , 86–73 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbbbbb" , – , , September 26 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , colspan=7, ''Postponed (rain)'' Rescheduled for September 27 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 160 , , September 27 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 4–2 , , Mark Prior, Prior (18–6) , , Josh Fogg, Fogg (10–9) , , Borowski (33) , , , , 87–73 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 161 , , September 27 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 7–2 , , Clement (14–12) , , Ryan Vogelsong, Vogelsong (2–2) , , , , 40,121 , , 88–73 ,

, - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 162 , , September 28 , , Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates , , 3–2 , , Kip Wells, Wells (10–9) , , Juan Cruz (baseball), Cruz (2–7) , , Tavárez (11) , , 39,940 , , 88–74 ,

, -

Batting

Source ''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; Avg. = Batting average; OBP = On base percentage; SLG = Slugging percentage; SB = Stolen bases''

Pitching

Source ''Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts''

Postseason

2003 NLDS

vs. Chicago Cubs

Game 1 – Chicago 4, ''Atlanta 2''

Game 2 – ''Atlanta 5'', Chicago 3

Game 3 – ''Chicago 3'', Atlanta 1

Game 4 – Atlanta 6, ''Chicago 4''

Game 5 – Chicago 5, ''Atlanta 1''

For the first time since October 14. 1908, the Cubs had won a postseason series, doing so at

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

2003 NLCS

Game 1

October 7:

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Game 2

October 8:

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Game 3

October 10:

Pro Player Stadium Hard Rock Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The stadium is the home field for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL) and the Miami Hurricanes, the University of Miami's NCAA Division I colleg ...

Miami, Florida Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a East Coast of the United States, coastal metropolis and the County seat, county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade C ...

Game 4

October 11:

Miami Miami ( ), officially the City of Miami, known as "the 305", "The Magic City", and "Gateway to the Americas", is a coastal metropolis and the county seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida, United States. With a population of 442,241 at ...

Game 5

October 12:

With the Marlins facing elimination, Josh Beckett kept them alive by dominating the Cubs, holding them to just two hits and one walk as part of his standout 2003 postseason. The game was scoreless until the sixth inning when Mike Lowell hit a two-run homer. Iván Rodríguez and Jeff Conine homered in the seventh and eighth innings respectively. Even with the loss, the Cubs looked good going back home with their two aces, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood ready to start Games 6 and 7.

Game 6

October 14:

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockf ...

The Cubs held a 3-0 lead going into the top of the eighth inning in Game 6 and, after Mike Mordecai hit a high

pop fly In the sports of baseball and softball, a batted ball is a pitch that has been contacted by the batter's bat. Batted balls are either fair or foul, and can be characterized as a fly ball, pop-up, line drive, or ground ball. In baseball, a fo ...

left field In baseball, a left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound. In the numbering system ...

for the first out of the inning, had only two outs left in the inning—leaving the team a mere 5 outs away from their first World Series berth since 1945. Prior had retired the last eight hitters and had allowed only three hits up to that point. Center fielder

Juan Pierre Juan D'Vaughn Pierre (born August 14, 1977) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2000–2013 for the Colorado Rockies, Florida/Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Ch ...

(who was later traded to the Cubs) then hit a

double A double is a look-alike or doppelgänger; one person or being that resembles another. Double, The Double or Dubble may also refer to: Film and television * Double (filmmaking), someone who substitutes for the credited actor of a character * ...

off Prior. On the eighth pitch of his at bat, Luis Castillo hit a high foul ball toward the left field wall. Cubs left fielder Moisés Alou headed toward the stands to catch the ball for the potential second out. As Alou reached for the ball, Cubs fan Steve Bartman, along with others near the area, did the same. The ball bounced off Bartman's hand and into the stands. Though the Cubs pleaded for a call of fan interference, the

umpire An umpire is an official in a variety of sports and competition, responsible for enforcing the rules of the sport, including sportsmanship decisions such as ejection. The term derives from the Old French nonper, ''non'', "not" and ''per'', ...

ruled that the ball had left the field of play and was therefore up for grabs. Alou initially said that he would not have made the catch, though he later denied making the statement, saying that if he had, it was only to make Bartman feel better. As a result, Castillo remained an active batter at home plate. On the next pitch, Prior walked Castillo on a

wild pitch In baseball, a wild pitch (WP) is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, or the batter (on an uncaught third str ...

that got away from

catcher Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the ( home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the ca ...

Paul Bako Gabor Paul Bako II (; born June 20, 1972) is an American former catcher in Major League Baseball. Bako is an example of a baseball "journeyman", having played for 11 different major league teams during his 12-year career. He is officially listed ...

, also allowing Pierre to advance to third base. Next,

Iván Rodríguez Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 27, 1971), nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Puerto Rican former Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the Texas Rangers (in two separate stints, comprising the majority of his career), Florida ...

hit an 0-2 pitch hard into left field, singling and scoring Pierre.

Miguel Cabrera José Miguel Cabrera Torres (born April 18, 1983), nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Since his debut in 2003 he has been a two-t ...

then hit a

ground ball In the sports of baseball and softball, a batted ball is a pitch that has been contacted by the batter's bat. Batted balls are either fair or foul, and can be characterized as a fly ball, pop-up, line drive, or ground ball. In baseball, a fou ...

toward Cubs

shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists wh ...

Alex Gonzalez that could have ended the inning on a double play. Gonzalez, who led all NL shortstops in fielding percentage, closed his glove a little too early and the ball landed in the dirt, allowing Cabrera to get on base, loading the bases. On the next pitch,

Derrek Lee Derrek Leon Lee (born September 6, 1975), nicknamed "D-Lee", is an American former professional baseball first baseman. Lee played with the San Diego Padres, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates ...

(a future Cubs' All-Star) drilled a

into left field, scoring Castillo and Rodríguez to tie the game at 3-3. Prior was then taken out of the game and replaced by

Kyle Farnsworth Kyle Lynn Farnsworth (born April 14, 1976) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Chicago Cubs (1999–2004), Detroit Tigers (2005, 2008), Atlanta Braves (2005, 2010), New York Yankees (2006–2008), Kansas City Royals (2 ...

, who

intentionally walked In baseball, an intentional base on balls, usually referred to as an intentional walk and denoted in baseball scorekeeping by ''IBB'', is a walk issued to a batter by a pitcher with the intent of removing the batter's opportunity to swing at the ...

Mike Lowell Michael Averett Lowell (born February 24, 1974) is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 13-year career, Lowell played for the New York Yankees (1998), Florida Marlins (1999–2005), and the Boston Red Sox (2006&nda ...

to load the bases.

Jeff Conine Jeffrey Guy Conine (; born June 27, 1966) is an American former professional baseball left fielder / first baseman and current assistant baseball coach at Florida International University, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 17 seasons, ...

then hit a sacrifice fly to right field for the second out of the inning, allowing Cabrera to score from third and the other runners to each advance one base. This gave the Marlins their first lead of the night. Farnsworth intentionally walked Todd Hollandsworth (another future Cub) to once again load the bases. The Marlins now having batted around the order, Farnsworth faced Mike Mordecai, who was looking to make up for his earlier out. This time, Mordecai prevailed, hitting a bases-clearing double to left-center field, allowing Lee, Lowell and Hollandsworth to score and making it a 7-3 Marlins lead. Farnsworth was then taken out of the game and replaced by Mike Remlinger, who gave up a single to Pierre to score Mordecai from second base. Finally, Luis Castillo hit a high pop fly ball to shallow right field for the third out. The Marlins' lead held, forcing a final Game 7.

Game 7

October 15:

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

The Marlins got off to a quick 3–0 lead in the first inning against Cubs pitching ace Kerry Wood, who hadn't lost at Wrigley Field in nearly six weeks. The Cubs responded by tying the ball game 3–3 in the second inning, which featured a two-run home run by Wood. Moisés Alou's two-run home run the following inning put Chicago up 5–3, but the lead wouldn't last. In the fifth inning, Florida capitalized on a pair of walks and scored three runs to go on top 6–5, a lead they would not relinquish. The Marlins added a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh to expand their lead to 9–5. Cubs pinch-hitter Troy O'Leary hit a home run the bottom of the seventh, making the score 9–6. After the Cubs were retired in order in the eighth inning, Florida closer Ugueth Urbina hit Aramis Ramírez with a pitch to lead off the ninth inning and proceeded to retire the following three batters, giving the Marlins their second National League Pennant in their eleven-year existence.

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: LansingJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., ''The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball'', 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007

References

2003 Chicago Cubs team
at ''Baseball-Reference'' *Game Logs: :1st Half
Chicago Cubs Game Log
on ESPN.com :2nd Half
Chicago Cubs Game Log
on ESPN.com *Batting Statistics:
All Position Hitting Stats
on Cubs.com {{Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs seasons Chicago Cubs season National League Central champion seasons Cub