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2003 – Jeff Kent smashes a home run and drives in six to pace a 12-8 slugfest over the Chicago Cubs in Houston. His shot off Matt Clement snaps a 5-5 tie. Lance Berkman also delivers three hits. The victory keeps Houston a game in front of St. Louis for the division lead while the Cubs lurk just 1-1/2 games behind. 

ByTom

2003 – Jeff Kent smashes a home run and drives in six to pace a 12-8 slugfest over the Chicago Cubs in Houston. His shot off Matt Clement snaps a 5-5 tie. Lance Berkman also delivers three hits. The victory keeps Houston a game in front of St. Louis for the division lead while the Cubs lurk just 1-1/2 games behind. 

2003 – A major brawl breaks out in a California League game between the Lancaster JetHawks and Inland Empire 66ers. In the 15th inning of the game, Josh Kranawetter hits Evel Bastida with a pitch. Bastida charges the mound and smashes Kranawetter in the back with his bat. He is charged with felony assault and suspended for the rest of the year. 16 players and a coach get three-game suspensions for the ensuing fight.

ByBaseball

2003 – A major brawl breaks out in a California League game between the Lancaster JetHawks and Inland Empire 66ers. In the 15th inning of the game, Josh Kranawetter hits Evel Bastida with a pitch. Bastida charges the mound and smashes Kranawetter in the back with his bat. He is charged with felony assault and suspended for the rest of the year. 16 players and a coach get three-game suspensions for the ensuing fight.

The Rally Monkey, the Angels’ unofficial mascot, is honored for its contribution to last season’s world championship with its own bobblehead doll promotion. The Rally Monkey Bobble Belly joins other dolls given to fans this year, paying tribute to Troy Glaus (2002 World Series MVP), Adam Kennedy (ALCS MVP), and Mike Scioscia (AL Manager of the Year) and will wear an Anaheim jersey with a name of an honored player on the back.

ByBaseball

The Rally Monkey, the Angels’ unofficial mascot, is honored for its contribution to last season’s world championship with its own bobblehead doll promotion. The Rally Monkey Bobble Belly joins other dolls given to fans this year, paying tribute to Troy Glaus (2002 World Series MVP), Adam Kennedy (ALCS MVP), and Mike Scioscia (AL Manager of the Year) and will wear an Anaheim jersey with a name of an honored player on the back.

Peanuts character Charlie Brown joins late broadcaster Bob Prince, Negro League star Josh Gibson, former catcher Manny Sanguillen, and current shortstop Jack Wilson when he is honored by the Pirates with a bobblehead doll give-away day. Almost ten percent of the nearly 18,000 Peanuts strips created by Charles Schulz focused on baseball.

ByBaseball

Peanuts character Charlie Brown joins late broadcaster Bob Prince, Negro League star Josh Gibson, former catcher Manny Sanguillen, and current shortstop Jack Wilson when he is honored by the Pirates with a bobblehead doll give-away day. Almost ten percent of the nearly 18,000 Peanuts strips created by Charles Schulz focused on baseball.

Anaheim rookie outfielder Adam Riggs takes the field at home against the Detroit Tigers wearing a jersey that reads “ANGEES”

ByThis Day in Baseball

On August 16, 2003, Anaheim rookie outfielder Adam Riggs takes the field at home against the Detroit Tigers wearing a jersey that reads “ANGEES” instead of “ANGELS.” The manufacturer’s mistake is not noticed by the Angels until after the top of the first inning.

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8/16/2003 – The Yankees were playing at Camden Yards in Baltimore. In the bottom of the first inning, the Orioles had runners on second and third with one out. It was Jay Gibbons turn to bat but Tony Batista came to the plate and hit a sacrifice fly. Gibbons then grounded out to end the inning. Since the Yankees said nothing about the batting out of turn, the second inning should have started with Batista hitting again. However, Brook Fordyce popped out to start the inning. The Orioles batted correctly for the rest of the game. With that run in the first, the teams ended the ninth inning tied and the Yankees won in 12 innings, 5-4.

ByTom

8/16/2003 – The Yankees were playing at Camden Yards in Baltimore. In the bottom of the first inning, the Orioles had runners on second and third with one out. It was Jay Gibbons turn to bat but Tony Batista came to the plate and hit a sacrifice fly. Gibbons then grounded out to end the inning. Since the Yankees said nothing about the batting out of turn, the second inning should have started with Batista hitting again. However, Brook Fordyce popped out to start the inning. The Orioles batted correctly for the rest of the game. With that run in the first, the teams ended the ninth inning tied and the Yankees won in 12 innings, 5-4.

2003 – Despite a massive blackout in the Northeast, the game between the Mets and the Giants at Shea Stadium is the only postponement on the major league schedule. Although the cities of Detroit, Toronto and Clevelandare without electricity, the Tigers, Blue Jays and Indians either have the day off or are playing on the road.

ByBaseball

2003 – Despite a massive blackout in the Northeast, the game between the Mets and the Giants at Shea Stadium is the only postponement on the major league schedule. Although the cities of Detroit, Toronto and Clevelandare without electricity, the Tigers, Blue Jays and Indians either have the day off or are playing on the road.

Just as the Expos’ starting right-hander Javier Vazquez is about to throw a full-count pitch to Rockies outfielder Jay Payton, a second inning hour-long blackout at the enclosed Olympic Stadium leaves the fans and players in total darkness. Tomorrow, Montreal arrives in New York on their off day just in time to experience a massive blackout which leaves more than 50 million Americans in the dark.

ByBaseball

Just as the Expos’ starting right-hander Javier Vazquez is about to throw a full-count pitch to Rockies outfielder Jay Payton, a second inning hour-long blackout at the enclosed Olympic Stadium leaves the fans and players in total darkness. Tomorrow, Montreal arrives in New York on their off day just in time to experience a massive blackout which leaves more than 50 million Americans in the dark.

2003 – After missing nearly three months with a groin injury, Mike Piazza makes a dramatic return to the New York lineup as he homers and drives in five runs on Italian Night at Shea Stadium. The backstop’s 3-for-5 performance, including a home run in the 3rd inning, RBI single in the 4th and a two-run single in the 7th, contributes to the Mets’ 9 – 2 victory over the Giants.

ByBaseball

2003 – After missing nearly three months with a groin injury, Mike Piazza makes a dramatic return to the New York lineup as he homers and drives in five runs on Italian Night at Shea Stadium. The backstop’s 3-for-5 performance, including a home run in the 3rd inning, RBI single in the 4th and a two-run single in the 7th, contributes to the Mets’ 9 – 2 victory over the Giants.

Pat Gillick of the Seattle Mariners resigns after a four-year run. He becomes the third general manager to leave his position‚ voluntarily or not‚ this year.

ByBaseball

Pat Gillick of the Seattle Mariners resigns after a four-year run. He becomes the third general manager to leave his position‚ voluntarily or not‚ this year.