Phillies Move to Yankee Stadium

Philadelphia (AP) - Ruth, Mantle, Maris.....these sluggers all had the priviledge to play in historic Yankee Stadium. Now a new set of sluggers will play in the ballpark for the 2004 season which include Pujols and Tejada. Philadelphia vacates Coors Field and moves to Yankee Stadium for the upcoming season.

Six Returning Pitchers Look to Make Impact

Six pitchers who missed the 2003 season, look to rebound in 2004:

Toronto's Chris Carpenter began the 2003 season on the disabled list as he continued his recovery from shoulder surgery and was forced to undergo arthroscopic surgery for his ailing shoulder on July 29 to remove scar tissue. In three seasons with the Blue Jays, Carpenter is 9-26 with a 6.39 ERA.

Another Blue Jay, Bronson Arroyo, was selected in the 1st round of the 2002 draft. But, he only saw limited action in 2002: 0-2, 9.39 ERA in 7 innings. Bronson did not see action in 2003, but was protected on Toronto's roster for the 2004 campaign.

In 2002, Paul Byrd had one of the best pitching seasons ever in the Millennium League: 24-10, 3.78 ERA in 245 innings pitched. Byrd's 24 wins still holds the single season record. But, knowing that Byrd needed Tommy John surgery, the Yankees traded Paul for a lowly 7th round draft pick to the Royals. Kansas City then kept Byrd on the roster throughout the 2003 season even though he was not able to pitch.

After compiling a 30-19 record in two seasons with Atlanta, Jon Lieber was traded to the White Sox in 2002. Lieber compiled a 10-5 mark with a 4.45 ERA in 129 innings. But, Jon also was victim of Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2003 season.

Anaheim's Trevor Hoffman is currently 7th in all time saves (92) but missed the 2003 season due to shoulder surgery. The Angels are counting on Trevor and their 2003 1st round draft pick Joe Nathan to anchor the back end of their bullpen for the upcoming season.

Finally, A. J. Burnett has been a "charter member" of the Marlins. He has a career 23-25 mark and a 4.15 ERA for the Fish but missed all of last season due to arm problems. Florida is counting on A. J. to rebound in 2004.

Harang Sent to Twins

Minnesota (AP) - The Twins added another front line starter to their pitching staff by acquiring pitcher Aaron Harang from the White Sox. To complete the deal Minnesota also received Chicago's second round pick (21st overall) in exchange for the Twins first rounder (9th overall). In two seasons with Chicago, Harang has gone 3-8 with a 6.45 ERA in 83 innings of work. The White Sox now own the 2nd and 9th picks in the upcoming 2004 draft.

Ryan Drese Traded to Arizona

Millennium League Champs Arizona wasted no time in upgrading their pitching staff for the 2004 season by trading for starting pitcher Ryan Drese. The D-Backs sent the Phillies catcher Damian Miller and a fifth round draft pick for Drese.

Drese was selected in the 16th round of the 2001 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and finished with a 4-1 mark and a 3.13 ERA in 37 innings. He was released at the end of the season and was then re-drafted in the 15th round by Philly for the 2003 campaign. However, he did not see any playing time last season.

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Arizona's Damian Miller has been with the D-Backs for the past four seasons and has three World Series rings. In 374 games, Miller has hit 39 homers and has a career .235 batting average.

Snakes Win Again!

The Arizona Diamondbacks defended their championship crown in splendid fashion as they disposed of the St. Louis in four games. Arizona won three straight one run games which included a 2-run rally in the bottom of the ninth and a 15-inning contest. A recap of the series:

Game 1 (Arizona 4, St. Louis 3) - Nomo is cruising along, until the D-Backs pinch hit B. Jordan to keep an inning alive and Jordan delivers a surprising 2 run homer to tie things up in the 7th. Top of the 9th, Brousard quickly scores after a lead off hit and then the call goes to Percival to close the 9th. Percival faces 3 batters and gives up 3 hits including a lead off hr to Pierzynski and the game is over.

Game 2 (Arizona 2, St. Louis 1) - This one goes 15 innings. Broussard ties the game for Stl with a solo shot in the top of the 9th and then neither side can score again until Fordyce (the last hitter on Arizona's bench) delivers a pinch hit single in the bottom of the 15th.

Game 3 (Arizona 3, St. Louis 2) - Another one-run game. Shields pitched seven strong innings giving up just one run while Matt Morris gave up two runs in the sixth which proved to be the difference. Redbirds hit into two rally-killing double plays.

Game 4 (Arizona 11, St. Louis 4) - Cards had an early 4-1 lead, but D-Backs put up a 5-spot on Nomo in the 4th to grab the lead and they never looked back. Furcal hit a key two-run triple in the inning. Brian Lawrence went 4-0 in the playoffs. Edmonds, who seemingly carried St. Louis all season, hit just .250 in the series with no homers and no RBI's.

2003 Season Records

RECORDS BROKEN:
(Single Game)
Most Hits (Team) in a Game - 31, Houston
Most Hits in a Game - 9, L. Berkman (Houston)
Most RBI's in a Game - 11, L. Berkman (Houston)

(Season)
Most Doubles (Team) - 389, Philadelphia
Batting Average - .373, A. Pujols (Philadelphia)
Hits - 252, A. Pujols (Philadelphia)
Doubles - 67, A. Pujols (Philadelphia)
Runs - 161, A. Pujols (Philadelphia)
Total Bases - 491, A. Pujols (Phildelphia)
Games Pitched - 90, D. Graves (Toronto)
Shutouts - 6, M. Mussina (Los Angeles)

RECORDS TIED:
(Single Game)
Most At Bats in a Game - 9, G. Anderson (Anaheim), J. Pierre (San Francisco), and J. Kent (San Francisco)
Most Walks in a Game - 5, B. Kielty (Seattle)
Most Homeruns in a Game - 4, R. Hidalgo (Anaheim)
Most Runs Scored in a Game - 5, L. Berkman (Houston), M. Kotsay (Houston), C. Wilson (Pittsburgh), and M. Ramirez (Cleveland)
Least Hits Allowed in a Game - 0, J. Contreras (Anaheim) and D. Dreifort (San Francisco)

(Regular Season)
Most Shutouts (Team) - 17, Oakland
RBI's - 162, J. Thome (Cleveland)