2003 Houston Astros season

March 2026 November 2013 Houston Astros 2003 Houston astros logo cap primary 2000 2012.png National League Central Minute Maid Park Houston, Texas 87 75 y 2nd Drayton McLane, Jr. Gerry Hunsicker Jimy Williams KNWS-TVFSN Southwest(Bill Brown, Jim Deshaies, Bill Worrell) 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).Houston forfeited their first round selection to the San Francisco Giants by signing free agent second baseman Jeff Kent. "Note" On April 26, Jeff Bagwell collected his 2,000th career hit, joining teammate Craig Biggio as the second Astro to recood all 2,000 with the team. 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. On July 10, Biggio became the 40th major leaguer to reach 500 doubles, while, Bagwell on July 20, hit his 400th career home run, becoming the 35th player in major league history to do so. The Astros concluded the season with an 87–75 record, runners-up in the NL Central—one game behind the Chicago Cubs and two games ahead of the St. Louis Cardinals—after having led the division most of the season. In the NL Wild Card race, Houston also ranked second, trailing the eventual World Series champion Florida Marlins by 4 games. Hence, the Astros missed the playoffs by one game. 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. Offseason Summary The Astros concluded the 2002 campaign with an 84 78 y record, as runners-up in the NL Central division runners-up, 13 games behind the division-champion St. Louis Cardinals. In the NL Wild Card race, he Astros ranked third, trailing the eventual NL-champion San Francisco Giants by 11 1 2 games.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2002.shtml 2002 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com September 13, 2026 This was the fourth time within five seasons that Houston won 84 or more games, an unprecedented feat for the team within any five-year span.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ Houston Astros team history & encyclopedia Baaseball-Reference.com November 6, 2025 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.KSDK Staff https://www.ksdk.com/article/sports/commentary/remembering-daryl-kile-15-years-later/63-451309853 Remembering Daryl Kile 15 years later KSDK June 22, 2017 August 24, 2025 Following its issuance to Kile from 1991–1997, no other Astros have worn the uniform number 57 since.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/uniform-numbers.shtml Houston Astros uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com September 29, 2025 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.Jesûs de Ortíz José https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-Richard-Hidalgo-shot-in-left-arm-during-2099084.php Astros Richard Hidalgo shot in left arm during carjacking in Venezuela Houston Chronicle November 22, 2002 September 1, 2025 On March 27, 2003, starting rotation mainstay Shane Reynolds was released, surprising Astros veterans. Reynolds was soon thereafter signed by the Atlanta Braves, posting an 11–9 win–loss record for the season.https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/2003/timeline.html 2003—timeline Astros Daily March 8, 2026 Transactions October 11, 2002: Declined team option on right-handed pitcher Shane Reynolds.CBC Sports https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/astros-decline-shane-reynolds-option-1.352609 Astros decline Shane Reynolds option CBC News October 11, 2002 September 12, 2025 December 18, 2002: Signed free agent second baseman Jeff Kent to a 2-year, $18.2 million contract.https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/2002/1218/1478962.html Astros give Kent 2-yaar, $18.2 million deal ESPN.com Associated Press December 18, 2002 September 10, 2025 Regular season Summary With Houston having signed second baseman Jeff Kent in free agency, franchise stalwart Craig Biggio changed positions for the second time in his career. He served as the club's primary center fielder starting in 2003.https://www.mlb.com/astros/history/timeline Astros history – Timeline MLB.com November 4, 2025 April—May + Opening Day starting lineup Uniform Uniform number Player Position 7 Craig Biggio Center fielder 27 Geoff Blum Third baseman 5 Jeff Bagwell First baseman 17 Lance Berkman Left fielder 12 Jeff Kent Second baseman 15 Richard Hidalgo Right fielder 11 Brad Ausmus Catcher 4 Julio Lugo Shortstop 44 Roy Oswalt Pitcher Venue: Minute Maid Park • Houston 10, Colorado 4 Sources:https://www.baseball-almanac.com/box-scores/boxscore.php?boxid=200304010HOU Colorado Rockies (4) vs Houston Astros (10) box score Baseball Almanac April 1, 2003 September 10, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2003-uniform-numbers.shtml 2003 Houston Astros uniform numbers Baseball-Reference.com September 28, 2025 During his first at bat in an Astros uniform on Opening Day, Jeff Kent homered as the Astros downed the Colorado Rockies, 10–4. Jeff Bagwell ripped two home runs, while Geoff Blum also homered and collected three runs batted in (RBI). Starter Roy Oswalt earned the victory. On April 2, Craig Biggio swatted a single in the bottom of the ninth for his franchise-record tying 13th career walk-off hit.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1962&team_id=HOU&event=modH&type=b&criteria5=walk_off---T Batting event finder: HOU: 413 Hits in 1962-2026 – Walk-off Stathad Sports Reference April 25, 2026 Biggio's hit netted both the game-tying and walk-off runs, stunning Colorado, 8–7. This capped a five-run rally, all in the bottom of the ninth. The Astros mustered four consecutive singles, while Orlando Merced doubled to precede Biggio's heroics. Billy Wagner was the winning pitcher. Biggio tied José Cruz for most walk-off hits in club history. Catcher Brad Ausmus smoked two home runs on April 4—including a grand slam—to bookend a 6–5, 12-inning triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals. He hit the grand slam in the first inning, while the second homer also provided the go-ahead run in the top of 12th inning. Behind the plate, Ausmus registered three runners caught stealing, including Fernando Viña for the final out of the contest.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200304040.shtml Houston Astros (6) vs St. Louis Cardinals (5) box score Baseball Reference April 4, 2003 September 13, 2026 This was the only multi-homer game of Ausmus' career, while he tied his career-high with 5 RBI.https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/A/PX_ausmb001.htm Top performances for Brad Ausmus Retrosheet September 13, 2026 Meanwhile, Brad Lidge earned his first Major League save. On April 18, Biggio connected for his 200th career home run during the top of the eighth inning. Biggio hit the milestone blast off right-hander Luis Vizcaíno of the Milwaukee Brewers.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=biggicr01&t=b Craig Biggio career home runs Baseball-Reference.com March 8, 2026 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 featAssociated Press http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230426120 https://web.archive.org/web/20160225102240/http://espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230426120 dead February 25, 2016 Bagwell reaches 2,000 career hits ESPN.com April 26, 2003 February 17, 2016 (May 4, 2001). Bagwell became the third player overall to reach 2,000 hits in Astros uniform, also joining José Cruz (September 15, 1985).Hulsey Bob https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/thisdate/index.html This date in Astros history Astros Daily September 7, 2025 The Astros concluded April with an 11 15 y record.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2003-schedule-scores.shtml 2003 Houston Astros schedule Baseball Reference September 13, 2026 In the first inning on May 1, Lance Berkman homered off former teammate Shane Reynolds to overtake Ken Caminiti for the club record in home runs among switch hitters.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=berkmla01 Lance Berkman stats, height, weight, research & history Baseball Almanac February 14, 2026 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.Peggy O'Hare S. K. Bardwell https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-Lugo-off-the-team-after-arrest-2127965.php Astros' Lugo off the team after arrest Houston Chronicle May 1, 2003 September 10, 2025 He was then designated for assignment, subsequently cleared waivers, and given an unconditional release by the club.https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2003/05/13/Astros-dump-Lugo/98081052854538/?st_rec=1432398318400&u3L=1 Astros dump Lugo United Press International May 13, 2003 September 10, 2025 From May 2 to 8, the Astros set a season-high seven-game winning streak, their first of two this season. The Astros placed Oswalt on the disabled list (DL) on May 18 due to a right groin strain.Hohlfield Neil https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/oswalt-placed-on-disabled-list-2120424.php Oswalt placed on disabled list Houston Chronicle May 18, 2003 October 19, 2025 The Astros rebounded to produce an 11 15 y showing during the month of May. June 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 ft m home run, and Billy Wagner converted the 199th save of his career to tie a franchise record,Schwartzburg Seth https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2025/6/16/24449966/today-in-astros-history Today in Astros history - June 16 The Crawfish Boxes SB Nation June 7, 2025 July 6, 2025 first achieved by Dave Smith. On June 8, Wagner earned his 200th career save against Tampa Bay.Duarte Joseph https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/billy-wagner-numbers-hall-of-fame-20372129.php Billy Wagner by the numbers: Stats that define Astros Hall of Famer's career Houston Chronicle July 25, 2025 September 10, 2025 Oswalt—Munro—Saarloos—Lidge—Dotel—Wagner combined no-hitter Following an early departure by starter Roy Oswalt due to a groin injury on June 11 at Yankee Stadium, five Astros relievers supervened to toss a no-hitter for the first against the New York Yankees in 45 years. Houston's early access into the bullpen segued into establishing the major league record for most pitchers contributing to such a contest during an 8–0 Astros victory. Succeeding Oswalt from the second inning on, Pete Munro, Kirk Saarloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Wagner each delivered in this historic contest.Lilly Brandon https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/12/sports/baseball-astros-seem-a-bit-baffled-by-their-odd-no-hitter.html Astros seem a bit baffled by their odd no-hitter The New York Times June 12, 2003 February 17, 2016 Lidge (4–0), who worked the sixth and seventh innings, was credited with the win.http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230611110 https://web.archive.org/web/20030808165049/http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=230611110 dead June 11, 2003 August 8, 2003 Astros vs. Yankees game recap ESPN.com In the top of the fourth, Berkman launched a deep blast to right field that also plated Geoff Blum, capping Houston's scoring while mounting a 4–0 advantage. In addition to Berkman's home run, the Astros aggregated five doubles, including two from Hidalgo, and a triple from Orlando Merced.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200306110.shtml Houston Astros (8) vs New York Yankees (0) box score Baseball-Reference.com June 11, 2003 December 9, 2025 Dotel assumed the mound for Houston for the eighth frame, which culminated into its own unique event. The right-hander whiffed Juan Rivera on three pitches for the first out. Next, Alfonso Soriano fouled off three consecutive offerings before swinging and missing on a wild pitch bounced in the dirt that eluded catcher Brad Ausmus for an uncaught third strike, acquiescing passage for Soriano to scamper safely to first base. Derek Jeter then coaxed a full count, but struck out swinging, and Dotel retired Jason Giambi with a swing-and-miss on a 2–2 count. Not only did Dotel became the 44th pitcher to sling a major-league record tying four-strikeout inning,Huber Mike https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/june-11-2003-six-astros-pitchers-combine-for-no-hitter-at-yankee-stadium/ Six Astros pitchers combine for no-hitter at Yankee Stadium Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) June 11, 2003 October 14, 2025 but he became the first to do so during a no-hitter.Jesûs de Ortíz José https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/20030611/index.html 6 Astros pitchers combine to handcuff Yankees Houston Chronicle June 11, 2003 October 14, 2025 Astros Daily During top of the opening frame, the Astros lineup leveraged the wild pitch from Yankees starter Jeff Weaver to ignite the scoring. Biggio led the contest off with a double. Blum then flied out deep enough to center field to advance Biggio to third. Next, Bagwell grounded out to the pitcher, and Jeff Kent followed with a walk. With Berkman at the plate, Weaver's wild pitch on a 1–2 count allowed Biggio to score and Kent to go to second, while the Astros assumed a 1–0 advantage. Berkman also grounded out to Weaver to retire the side. During the bottom of the first, Oswalt retired the Yankees in order, while concluding the frame via successive punchouts of Jeter and Giambi. Oswalt received a game score of 55 for his lone inning of work. After Merced's triple to left-center in the top of the second, José Vizcaíno lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to bring him home and increase the Astros' lead to 2–0. Munro, who replaced Oswalt, injected the bulk of the effort for Houston's bullpen. Over 2 2 3 total frames, Munro struck out a pair, while navigating three bases on balls. They were New York's only other batters who reached base besides Soriano: Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Todd Zeile. Wagner entered in the top of the ninth and proceeded to whiff both Posada and Bubba Trammell, who pinch-hit for Robin Ventura. The southpaw then generated a groundball tapper from Hideki Matsui back to himself, who flipped the ball to Bagwell at first to polish off the masterpiece. Dotel further became the second Astro to complete the comeback for that fourth strikeout during a single inning, and first since Mike Scott on September 3, 1986, versus the Chicago Cubs.Just weeks after executing the four-strikeout inning, Scott tossed a no-hitter versus the San Francisco Giants on September 25, 1986. lower-alpha "No-hit games"McLemore Ivy https://www.astrosdaily.com/history/19860925/index.html Great Scott! Astros clinch NL West with no-hitter Houston Post Astros Daily September 26, 1986 November 28, 2025 In all, Astros pitching induced 13 whiffs. during the club's first-ever game in The Bronx. For Saarloos, this was the second no-hitter to which he had contributed since entering professional baseball. As a member of the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League, on July 30, 2001, he closed out a three-man combined effort. It was the first no-hitter in Lexington team history.Cox Zack https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-37751804 Legends' Devenski fans 16 in no-hitter: Astros prospect allows one baserunner in 13th career start MiLB.com September 1, 2012 April 4, 2026 This was the first combined no-hit effort in Houston's club history, their tenth overall, and the first occasion in a major-league record 6.980 contests that the Yankees had been no-hit. The previous occurrence was on September 20, 1958, when Hoyt Wilhelm of the Baltimore Orioles hurled a no-hitter that resulted in a 1–0 decision over New York. The most recent no-hit game by a Houston Astro had been Darryl Kile's gem on September 8, 1993, and the following such outing was posted by Mike Fiers on August 21, 2015.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/pitching/official-no-hitters.shtml Official no-hitters in Major League Baseball Baseball Almanac November 28, 2025 Rest of June 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.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=oswalro01&t=p&year=2003 Roy Oswalt 2003 pitching game logs Baseball-Reference.com October 18, 2025 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.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU200306270.shtml Texas Rangers (10) vs Houston Astros (7) box score Baseball-Reference.com June 27, 2003 September 14, 2025 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.https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1975/B07300HOU1975.htm Houston Astros 8, San Diego Padres 4 Retrosheet July 30, 1975 September 13, 2025https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=sosajo01&t=b&year=1975 José Sosa 1975 batting game logs Baseball-Reference.com September 13, 2025 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.Kruger Justin https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-4-2006-charlton-jimersons-home-run-in-first-at-bat-ends-cole-hamels-perfect-game-bid/ September 4, 2006: Charlton Jimerson's home run in first at-bat ends Cole Hamels perfect game bid Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) September 4, 2006 September 13, 2025 July 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.https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/230709118 https://web.archive.org/web/20230411175339/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/230709118 Houston 12, Cincinnati 2 ESPN.com Associated Press July 9, 2003 April 11, 2023 April 11, 2023 On July 10, Biggio extended his club record with his 500th career double. Biggio became the 40th major leaguer to reach 500 doubles. During this contest, the Astros exploded for a club-record nine runs during the first inning to topple Cincinnati, 9–2. Geoff Blum registered two safeties and two RBI during that momentous first frame. Richard Hidalgo tallied 4 RBI. The triumph expanded the Spacemen's lead to two games in the Central while they sat five games above .500. Jeff Bagwell's 400th home run 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.Associated Press https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-21-sp-nl21-story.html Bagwell belts way to 400 Los Angeles Times July 21, 2003 February 17, 2016 The leader in club history since April 21, 1999,https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1999/04/22/astros-bagwell-hits-3-homers/c717ba31-baf3-402f-ba33-6d5b4979260c/ Astros' Bagwell hits 3 homers The Washington Post April 22, 1999 December 9, 2025 subscription Bagwell continued to add to his record. His drive became 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.Krell David https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july-14-1967-astros-eddie-mathews-joins-500-home-run-club/ July 14, 1967: Astros' Eddie Mathews joins 500 Home Run Club Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) July 9, 2021 September 6, 2025 August—September 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.Hermoso Rafael August 7, 2003 Astros hit 4 home runs in chugging past the Mets The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/07/sports/baseball-astros-hit-4-home-runs-in-chugging-past-the-mets.html July 12, 2024 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.Marron Jim https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/currentunderrated.html The List: Underrated current athletes ESPN.com August 20, 2003 March 17, 2016 Jeff Kent drove in five runs on August 26 to lead a 18–4 rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers, his 18th career game of five or more RBI.https://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/K/PX_kentj001.htm Top performances for Jeff Kent Retrosheet September 13, 2026 This was the club's season-high in runs scored in a single game. On September 1, Jeff Kent slugged the 100th grand slam in Colt .45s/Astros franchise history. Kent's blast occurred at Dodger Stadium, during the top of the ninth inning off Rodney Myers, and plated Craig Biggio, Geoff Blum, and Jeff Bagwell.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/event_finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=1962&team_id=HOU&event=23&type=b&criteria175=rob---111 Batting event finder: HOU: 201 Home Runs in 1962-2026 – 123 Stathaead Sports Reference May 31, 2026 On September 9, Billy Wagner converted his 40th save of the season,https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=wagnebi02&t=p&year=2003 Billy Wagner 2003 pitching game logs Baseball-Reference.com March 7, 2026 becoming the first pitcher in club history to reach the milestone. This surpassed his own club record of 39 saves each in 1999 and 2001.Tied by José Valverde in 2008. Criteria: For single seasons, playing for HOU, in the regular season, requiring saves ≥ 25, sorted by ascending season. lower-alpha "Astros saves record"https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-season-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=year_id&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=25&cstat%5B1%5D=p_sv&team_id=HOU Player pitching season & career stats finder Stathead Sports Reference March 14, 2026 The southpaw earned the save by tossing a scoreless ninth against the Milwaukee Brewers to finalize a 7–6 victory, including a pair of whiffs. 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.McTaggart Brian https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-game-to-remember-richard-hidalgo-hits-three-homers-in-a-game-at-coors-field/c-32564654 Game to remember: Richard Hidalgo – Astros slugger remembers three-homer outburst at Coors in 2003 MLB.com September 16, 2003 September 1, 2025 Hidalgo succeeded Lance Berkman on April 16, 2002, as the seventh Astro to connect for three home runs in a single game.On May 15, 2005, Morgan Ensberg became the next Astro to hit for a three-home run game.https://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/3-Home-Runs-In-A-Game.shtml 3 home runs in a game Baseball Almanac June 20, 2026 Performance overview 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. 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.https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2003.shtml 2003 National League team statistics Baseball-Reference.com November 4, 2025 Having scored 805 runs and yielded 677, the club underperformed their Pythagorean expectation of 94 68 y.https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2003.shtml 2003 Houston Astros statistics Baseball-Reference.com November 4, 2025 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. Having soaked the second-most innings pitched (IP) in MLB (581 1 3),https://www.mlb.com/stats/team/pitching/innings-pitched/2003?split=rp 2003 MLB team pitching stat leaders MLB.com August 31, 2026 this Astros bullpen led the major leagues with 495 strikeouts and surrendered just a .225 batting average against. With the combinatoin of Dotel, Lidge, and Wagner, journalist Buster Olney rated this bullpen as third-finest in his top ten all-time one decade after this season. Only World Series champions 1998 New York Yankees and 1990 Cincinnati Reds fortified by the Nasty Boys preceded this Astros edition.Olney Buster https://www.espn.com/blog/buster-olney/insider/post/_/id/16 Top 10 bullpens in MLB history ESPN.com January 21, 2013 August 31, 2026 Hidalgo, who led the major leagues with 22 outfield assists, was recognized with the club's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award. Closer Billy Wagner set the Astros' single-season franchise record with a career-high 44 saves, breaking his own club record of 39 (twice, 1999 and 2001).lower-alpha "Astros saves record" Astros rookie pitching established record-setting performances in 2003. Starter Jeriome Robertson set a club rookie record with 15 wins, which led all MLB rookies—as well as the Astros' pitching staff—netting him Baseball Digest Rookie All-Star starting pitcher honors. Meanwhile, reliever Brad Lidge, who was the winning pitcher during the Astros' six-man no-hitter on June 11, established a club rookie record for relievers with 97 strikeouts, surpassing Dave Veres' 94 strikeouts during the 1995 campaign.Surpassed by Chris Devenski (104) in 2016. Criteria: For single seasons, at least 80% games in relief, playing for HOU, a rookie, in the regular season, requiring strikeouts ≥ 65, sorted by ascending season.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-season-finder.cgi?request=1&order_by_asc=1&order_by=year_id&games_started=60&role=reliever&games_relieved=80&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=65&cstat%5B1%5D=p_so&team_id=HOU&rookie=Y Player pitching season & career stats Stathead Sports Reference May 23, 2026 Lidge also led rookie relievers in the major leagues in strikeouts.For single seasons, in 2003, at least 80% games in relief, a rookie, in the regular season, requiring strikeouts ≥ 50, sorted by descending strikeouts.https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/baseball/player-pitching-season-finder.cgi?request=1&year_min=2003&year_max=2003&games_started=60&role=reliever&games_relieved=80&ccomp%5B1%5D=gt&cval%5B1%5D=50&cstat%5B1%5D=p_so&rookie=Y Player pitching season & career stats Stathead Sports Reference May 23, 2026 The Astros' selection in the 1998 MLB draft via the compensation pick (17th overall) granted to Houston as a result of the Colorado Rockies signing the late Darryl Kile, Lidge was the Astros' Rookie of the Year.https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=1760351 Lidge adjusting to success in relief role ESPN.com March 15, 2004 May 23, 2026 Standings National League Central Houston Astros Record vs. opponents HOU Notable transactions May 1, 2003: Julio Lugo was designated for assignment, and then released 10 days later after "hitting his wife in the face and slamming her head on a car hood" outside of Minute Maid Park.https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Houston-shortstop-Julio-Lugo-arrested-758340.php Houston shortstop Julio Lugo arrested May 2, 2003 June 3, 2003: Josh Anderson was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 4th round of the 2003 amateur draft. Player signed June 13, 2003.https://www.baseball-reference.com/a/anderjo03.shtml Josh Anderson stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com May 23, 2026 August 21, 2003: Gregg Zaun was released by the Houston Astros.Gregg Zaun Statistics Baseball-Reference.com Roster 2003 Houston Astros Roster Pitchers 35 Nate Bland 56 Kirk Bullinger 31 Bruce Chen 41 Jared Fernández 45 Mike Gallo 41 Jonathan Johnson 54 Brad Lidge 36 Scott Linebrink 58 Dan Miceli 52 Wade Miller 39 Brian Moehler 53 Peter Munro 44 Roy Oswalt 59 Brandon Puffer 51 Tim Redding 60,62 Jeriome Robertson 60 Rodrigo Rosario 23 Kirk Saarloos 20 Ricky Stone 31 Ron Villone 13 Billy Wagner 20 Octavio Dotel 50 Rick White Catchers 11 Brad Ausmus 46 Raúl Chávez  2 Gregg Zaun Infielders  5 Jeff Bagwell 27 Geoff Blum  4 Eric Bruntlett 14 Morgan Ensberg 28 Adam Everett 12 Jeff Kent  4 Julio Lugo  1 Dave Matranga 10 José Vizcaíno Outfielders 17 Lance Berkman  7 Craig Biggio 15 Richard Hidalgo 21 Brian Hunter 24 Jason Lane 16 Orlando Merced  9 Colin Porter Other batters  3 Tripp Cromer  2 Mitch Meluskey Manager 22 Jimy Williams Coaches  6 Mark Bailey(bullpen) 25 José Cruz (first base) 48 Burt Hooton (pitching) 38 Gene Lamont (third base)  8 Harry Spilman (hitting) 30 John Tamargo (bench) Players stats Batting Starters by position 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 Other batters 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 Pitching Starters 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 Other pitchers 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 Relief pitchers 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 Awards and achievements Grand slams No. Number hit by this team Date Astros batter Venue Inning Pitcher Opposing team Box Box score 1 April 4 Brad Ausmus Busch Stadium 1 Brett Tomko St. Louis Cardinals 2 June 3 Morgan Ensbergfirst 1st MLB grand slam Minute Maid Park 8 Kerry Ligtenberg Baltimore Orioles 1 July 9 Adam Everettfirst 1 Danny Graves Cincinnati Reds 4 September 1 Jeff Kent Dodger Stadium 9 Rodney Myers Los Angeles Dodgers Awards 2003 Houston Astros award winners Name of award Recipient Ref. References Baseball Digest Rookie All-Star Starting pitcher Jeriome Robertson Darryl Kile Good Guy Award Jeff Bagwell https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/darryl_kile_award.shtml Darryl Kile Award Baseball Almanac July 20, 2025 Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball Charlie Maiorana 1 McTaggart Brian http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou Bourn highlights Astros' awards season December 21, 2009 MLB.com November 5, 2025 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20101208131739/http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091116&content_id=7674760&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou December 8, 2010 Houston-Area Major League Player of the Year NYY Andy Pettitte Houston Astros Most Valuable Player (MVP) Richard Hidalgo https://thebaseballcube.com/content/awards/HOU-POY/ Houston Astros Player of the Year The Baseball Cube August 24, 2025 Pitcher of the Year Billy Wagner Rookie of the Year Brad Lidge MLB All-Star Game Reserve pitcher Billy Wagner National League (NL) Player of the Week June 8 Morgan Ensberg https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/mlb-players-of-the-week.shtml MLB Players of the Week Awards Baseball-Reference.com August 29, 2025 Other awards results Name of award Voting recipient(s) (Team) Ref. References NL Most Valuable Player 1st—Bonds (SFG) • 14th—Bagwell (HOU) Other Astros: 18th–Hidalgo • 23rd—Wagner https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2003.shtml 2003 awards voting Baseball-Reference.com September 22, 2026 NL Rookie of the Year 1st—Willis (FLA) • 5th—Lidge (HOU) • 7th—Robertson (HOU) League leaders NL batting leaders Hit by pitch: Craig Biggio (27, led MLB) NL pitching leaders Games finished: Billy Wagner (67, led MLB) Minor league system Minor League Baseball AAA New Orleans Zephyrs Pacific Coast League Chris Maloney AA Round Rock Express Texas League Jackie Moore A Salem Avalanche Carolina League John Massarelli A Lexington Legends South Atlantic League Russ Nixon A-Short Season Tri-City ValleyCats New York–Penn League Iván DeJesús Rookie Martinsville Astros Appalachian League Jorge Orta Awards All-Star Futures Gamehttps://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burkech01.shtml Chris Burke stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more Baseball-Reference.com July 5, 2026—Second baseman: Chris Burke Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year:https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/awards/HOU-Minor/ Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year The Baseball Cube August 21, 2025 Chris Burke See also Texas Baseball List of Major League Baseball career doubles leaders List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders List of Major League Baseball career saves leaders List of Major League Baseball no-hitters List of Major League Baseball players with a home run in their first major league at bat List of Major League Baseball single-inning strikeout leaders Notes lower-alpha "Note" References External links 2003 Houston Astros season at Baseball Reference Game logs: 1st half: Houston Astros Game Log on ESPN.com 2nd half: Houston Astros Game Log on ESPN.com Batting statistics: Houston Astros Batting Stats on ESPN.com Pitching statistics: Houston Astros Pitching Stats on ESPN.com Category:Houston Astros seasons Houston Astros Season, 2003 Category:2003 in sports in Texas Category:2003 in Houston