Earlier this year I read the book “Three Nights in August” about the August 28-30 Cubs and Cardinals series in 2003. I was at the opening game of that series on my birthday that Friday. I was able to see lots of cool things that night. For one I got my first ball at a big league park during batting practice. I have a little more on the game here from a previous post. I have seen four Cardinals games in my life, and they all came during the summer of 2003. I also have had tickets a couple of times to the third incarnation of Busch Stadium, but have never made it for one reason or another. This was a great series that I will always remember. I am looking to recreate a little of that magic this weekend when I head down for my birthday again. As an added bonus John Smoltz will be pitching on my birthday. What more could you ask for? Dry weather. That is what we can ask for. Just for fun I decided to do a where are they now from that game. Here is a look at what has transpired for all 23 players and two managers that were involved with that game.
Cubs
Kenny Lofton – Ever the journeyman Lofton played for five teams after the 2003 season. He only played in 55 games for the Cubs that season. He played for the Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers, Rangers, and finally the Cleveland Indians before hanging up his spikes after the 2007 season. After growing up in East Chicago it must have been a thrill for him to have played for both Chicago teams.
Ramon Martinez – Martinez played 102 games for the Cubs in 2004 as well as two playoff games in 2003. From there he bounced around between the Tigers, Phillies, Dodgers, and Yankees.
Sammy Sosa – 2003 might have been the last great season for Sosa. He hit 35 dingers in 2004, but a bad sneeze along with a corked bat, and a early departure from the team have marred that season. Sammy played for the Orioles in 2005, but was never the same. He came back with the Rangers in 2007 after sitting out 2006, but never really captured the magic that he once possessed. He sort of announced his retirement this season, but it was overshadowed by reports of his name being on the steroid list.
Moises Alou – Moises may most be remembered in baseball history for his reaction to the Bartman play. We all know that the play did not cause the Cubs the series, but it was sure a good excuse for a while. Alou played the 2004 season for the Cubs before leaving for the Giants and the Mets. He only played 15 games in 2008 before he retired. He did play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic this spring though. He was a fun player to watch who unlike the guy above played the game the right way.
Randall Simon – Simon went back to the Pirates after the 2003 season. He apparently was just a loaner. He never could square up a baseball like he could a sausage, and was out of the game by 2006.
Aramis Ramirez – Has become the third baseman that the Cubs were searching for since Cey left the team. He was injured much of this season, but is an important piece of the puzzle for the Cubs. Watching him lately though I have started wondering about his weight loss. He looks much the same way that Sosa looked in 2004. I told myself then that Sosa was not on the juice, and I was proven wrong. I am a little more cynical now though.
Alex Gonzalez – Here is the real reason that the Cubs did not go to the Series in 2003. His booting of a routine ground ball should be played just as much as the Bartman play if not more. Alex is currently playing for the Boston Red Sox.
Paul Bako – Bako played the 2004 season for the Cubs before moving on to the Dodgers, Royals, Orioles, Reds, and finally the Phillies this season. This seems to be a trend with this team. Most of these players bounced around a lot after the 2003 season. Teams didn’t want the curse to rub off I guess.
Carlos Zambrano – Has surpassed expectations and become the ace of the Cubs staff. He has not been himself this season because of injuries, but that is not uncommon for a Cubs pitcher is it?
Doug Glanville – Doug played in 87 games for the Phillies in 2004 before hanging up his spikes for good.
Mike Remlinger – Mike was the unlucky guy to give up the game winning home run to Robinson. I always enjoyed watching this lefty pitch. Mike stayed with the Cubs until he was traded in August of 2005. He was released by the Red Sox exactly two years to the date after he gave up that home run. He signed with the Braves in 2006, but was released in June.
Dusty Baker – Dusty stayed with the Cubs until Lou Pinella replaced him for the 2007 season. He was hired by the Reds for the 2008 season, and is still their manager. Where you find Dusty you will find players like Neifi Perez. He does not believe in on base percentage according to many reports. He does however believe in Santa Claus.
Cardinals
Kerry Robinson – According to the book about the series Robinson was a cancer on the team. He had average talent, but thought that he could be a star if he could play everyday. He was in LaRussa’s doghouse much of the time so it was no surprise when he was not with the team in 2004. He played in 80 games for the Padres in 2004, and 18 games for the Royals in 2006 before a started a superstar retirement.
Bo Hart – Bo was the story of the year in St. Louis. Who was this scrappy young player? Bo had the heart (no pun intended), but not quite enough talent. He bounced around until 2007 between the triple A affiliates of the Cardinals, Rockies, Cubs, and the Orioles. After being released by the Orioles in 2007 he joined the Lancaster Independant League Team. In 2008 he played for the Schaumburg Flyers and the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League.
Albert Pujols – Since 2003 Albert has become the man. He is the measuring stick for every player that comes up.
Jim Edmonds – Jim played with the Cards until 2007. He then spent the 2008 season between the Padres and the Cubs. He will always be remembered for that beautiful glove in center. Even when he was supposedly washed up he flashed a great glove in the field. Just try and hit it over his head.
Scott Rolen – Rolen has continued to be a force at third. He was traded just before the deadline this season to the Reds.
Tino Martinez – Tino spent 2004 with Tampa Bay, and 2005 with the Yankees before hanging up his spikes.
Mike DeJean – Played until 2006 with the Yankees, Orioles, and Rockies.
Edgar Renteria – Currently playing for the Giants after stops at Boston, Atlanta, and Detroit.
Mike Matheny – Matheny was a thinking catcher that handled a staff well. He played for the Cards in 2004 before playing his final two seasons in San Francisco.
Matt Morris – Left to join Matheny in San Francisco where he played for two years. He then played a season plus for the Pirates before they released him in April of 2008.
Steve Kline – Also played in San Francisco after a brief stop in Baltimore. Is this luck or team cohesivness?
So Taguchi – Taguchi is currently playing for the Iowa Cubs in the Pacific Coast league. Taguchi won a ring in 2006 with the Cards, and last season with the Phillies.
Tony LaRussa – Tony is still the manager of the Cardinals. With his intensity it is a wonder that he has stayed in the managing capacity every year since the White Sox hired him. He was the losing manager in the World Series in 2004 during the Red Sox dream season. He got his revenge though in 2006 when he won another title against the Tigers.
my collection. Ball #189 was obtained from a shop at the new Busch Stadium the day after my birthday. I was just killing time since I had gotten to the stadium early when I saw a game used memoribilia shop in center field. I walked in and was awed by the signed baseballs in the case. I really wanted a Stan Musial ball, but it was $175, and even that is a little salty to a sports junkie. Just down from the signed balls were actual balls used in a game. They happened to have two from my birthday, and I asked to see them. They came in a cube, and I took the ball that had a little scuff from the redish dirt on the infield. Just last week I looked up the number on the ball on the Major League Website. Here is what I found when I looked it up:
my collection. Ball #189 was obtained from a shop at the new Busch Stadium the day after my birthday. I was just killing time since I had gotten to the stadium early when I saw a game used memoribilia shop in center field. I walked in and was awed by the signed baseballs in the case. I really wanted a Stan Musial ball, but it was $175, and even that is a little salty to a sports junkie. Just down from the signed balls were actual balls used in a game. They happened to have two from my birthday, and I asked to see them. They came in a cube, and I took the ball that had a little scuff from the redish dirt on the infield. Just last week I looked up the number on the ball on the Major League Website. Here is what I found when I looked it up:
Confessions of a Sports Junkie 