The 2003 season was a very ugly scene for the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers bombed their way to a 43-119 record, which placed them dead last not only in the American League Central, but also in Major League Baseball.
The season was so bad that it ranks as the 8th worst in the history of Major League Baseball and it ranks 4th worst in the history of the American League. The year was pretty disappointing to the Tigers, but it still dosen't compare to the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, whose record was 20-134.
Only five players remain on the Tigers roster from 2003. Fernando Rodney, Brandon Inge, Ramon Santiago, Jeremy Bonderman, and Nate Robertson all were a part of the team.
The Tigers stadium, Comerica Park, in just its 3rd season, saw just over one million fans come through the gates. That attendance ranked 13 out of 14 American League teams.
Since 2003, many players have gone to other teams, been placed in the minors or have retired. Here is the list of the 2003 roster and where they are now.
Brandon Inge: Still with the Tigers
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Carlos Pena: Plays for the Tampa Bay Rays
Warren Morris: Retired after 2005
Eric Munson: In Houston Astros minor league system
Ramon Santiago: Still with the Tigers
Craig Monroe: Plays for the Minnesota Twins
Alex Sanchez: Busted for steriods, Retired after 2007
Bobby Higginson: Retired after 2005
Dmitri Young: Plays for the Washington Nationals
Shane Halter: Retired after 20005
Omar Infante: Plays for the Atlanta Braves
Andres Torres: In the Chicago Cubs minor league system
Matt Walbeck: Retired after 2003
Mike Maroth: In the Kansas City Royals minor league system
Nate Cornejo: Retired after 2006
Jeremy Bonderman: Still with the Tigers
Nate Robertson: Still with the Tigers
Adam Bernero: In the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system
Franklin German: In the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system
Matt Roney: Retired after 2007
Jamie Walker: Plays for the Baltimore Orioles
Chris Spurling: In the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system
Steve Sparks: Retired after 2004
Fernando Rodney: Still with the Tigers
Wilfredo Ledezma: Plays for the San Diego Padres
Since this group of men combined for 119 losses, the Tigers have been to the World Series. The change came as GM Dave Domrowski went from Alan Trammell to Jim Leyland as the manager. Leyland has had load of success as the Tigers' skipper and it looks like it will continue.
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2 months ago
Great article! I love things like this. You could look at a lot of bad teams and say "Well, that guy just hadn't hit his prime yet" Or "they were just young" But wow, what a BAD TEAM! Especially offensively. Pena has had his success, so has Young, but none of it meant anything to the Tigers. Inge is a nice player. Rodney could be great, Robertson has had flashes, and Bonderman... who knows?! But for the most part that lineup is just AWFUL!
Great read.
from 2 months ago
thanks, im a diehard tigers fan even thru all that...glad they changed
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