On October 11, 2003, the Yankees and Red Sox play a rowdy game at Fenway Park in Game Three of the ALCS. In a matchup between ace hurlers Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez, the becnhes clear after Manny Ramirez took exception to a pitch he felt was hurled at his head by Clemens. Among several…
With six hits in six consecutive at-bats, Kenny Lofton sets an NLCS record and ties the ALCS mark. Gary Matthews (Phillies-1983), Will Clark (Giants-1989), Steve Buechele (Pirates-1991), and Javy Lopez (Braves-1996) all held the previous NL distinction with five consecutive hits, and Paul Molitor (Blue Jays-1993) established the major league standard, now shared with the Cub flychaser, with reaching safely six times in six consecutive at-bats.
The Cubs take a 2-1 game advantage in the NLCS when they beat the Marlins in extra innings at Pro Player Stadium, 5-4. The eventual winning run scores in the top of the 11th when Doug Glanville triples off Florida’s Brandon Looper to plate Kenny Lofton, who had singled after the first out was made in the frame.
2003 – The Boston Red Sox complete a three-game playoff comeback, beating the Oakland Athletics, 4 – 3, in Game 5 of their American League Division Series.
On September 28, 2003, the Detroit Tigers defeat the Minnesota Twins, 9-4, to avoid tying the record for most losses in a season. The Tigers finish at 43-119, logging the most losses in AL history, but avoid matching the 1962 New York Mets with 120 defeats. The Tigers win five of their last six games…
Greg Maddux, with Atlanta beating the Marlins, 8-0, becomes the first pitcher to win at least 15 games in 16 consecutive seasons. The Braves’ righty, who pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit en route to his 288th career victory, had shared the record with Cy Young.
Second baseman Marcus Giles hits a home run off Brad Penny’s 3-2 pitch, as the Atlanta Braves tie the National League record by having six players hit at least 20 home runs in a season. Along with Giles, Javy Lopez, Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones and Vinny Castilla equal the mark established by Eddie Mathews (32), Hank Aaron (32), Joe Torre (27), Felipe Alou (23), Mack Jones (31) and Gene Oliver (21) of the 1965 Milwaukee Braves.
With his 2,063rd career base on balls, Barry Bonds passes Babe Ruth on the all-time walks list. The Giant left fielder now only trails Rickey Henderson, who has 2,190 free passes.
On September 9, 2003, Cardinal pitcher Bud Smith becomes the second man to throw a no-hitter against the Padres this season. Smith beats the 4-0, in San Diego. Earlier, on May 12, A.J. Burnett of the Dodgers had no-hit the Padres, also in their home park.
At Camden Yards, 64 year-old Steve Dalkowski throws the ceremonial first pitch to relief pitcher Buddy Groom before an Orioles game against Seattle. In 1963, on the day he was fitted for his big-league uniform, the Baltimore fireballing farmhand hurt his arm pitching in an exhibition game and never appeared in the major leagues.