2003

January 3

• The Ohio State University defeats the University of Miami in double-overtime in the Fiesta Bowl, 31-24, for the national Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title. [24]
• Death of Sid Gillman, American football coach (born 1911). [24]

January 17

• Torii Hunter agrees to four-year, US$32 million deal to stay with the Minnesota Twins. [56]

January 18

• Death of Edward Farhat (The Original Sheik), Iraqi American Professianl Wrestler (born 1924). [24]

January 22

• Catcher Ivan Rodriguez signs a one-year deal worth $10 million to play with the Florida Marlins. [56]

January 26

• Super Bowl XXXVII: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Oakland Raiders 48-21. [24]
• Death of Valeriy Brumel, Russian athlete (born 1942). [24]

January 31

• The Chicago White Sox announces Comiskey Park will now be known as U.S. Cellular Field, in exchange for US$68 million in a 23-year deal with the wireless service provider. [56]

February 9

• The Cricket World Cup begins in South Africa. [24]

February 10

• Death of "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, professional wrestler (born 1958). [24]

February 17

• The Atlanta Braves and Greg Maddux agree the largest one-year contract in major league baseball history: US$14.75 million. [56]
• Death of 23-year old Steve Belcher of multi-organ failure, possibly linked to use of ephedra; American baseball player (Baltimore Orioles). [56]

February 22

• In his first fight after losing to Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson beats Clifford Etienne by first round knock-out in a fight held at The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. [24]

March 14

• The Milwaukee Brewers' TV/radio play-by-play announcer, Bob Uecker is chosen for induction into the broadcasters' wing of the Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award. [56]

March 23

• The 2003 Cricket World Cup ends as Australia wins over India by 125 runs in Centurion, South Africa. [24]

April 2

• Todd Zeile becomes the only major league player to hit a home run for ten different teams: New York Yankees, Detroit Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Colorado Rockies. [56]

April 7

• The Boston Red Sox exercise Pedro Martinez's option for the 2004 season, making Martinez the highest paid pitcher for a season in major league history, at US$17.5 million. [56]
• Syracuse wins the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, defeating Kansas 81-78. [24]

April 30

• Death of Wim van Est, Dutch cyclist (born 1923). [24]

May 15

• Death of Rik Van Steenbergen, Belgian cyclist (born 1924). [24]

May 17

• Arsenal beats Southampton 1-0 to win the FA Cup. [24]

May 21

• F.C. Porto defeats Celtic 3-2 (AET) in the UEFA Cup Final in Seville, Spain. [24]

May 22

• Arturo Moreno purchases the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from the Walt Disney Company for US$184 million. [56]

May 28

• AC Milan defeats fellow Italian rival Juventus 3-2 on penalties after a scoreless tie to win the UEFA Champions League, their sixth European title. [24]

June 2

• Death of "Classy" Freddy Blassie, professional wrestler and manager (born 1918). [24]

June 9

• The New Jersey Devils defeat the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 3-0 in Game Seven of the 2003 NHL Stanley Cup Finals to win their third Stanley Cup championship. [24]

June 15

• The San Antonio Spurs defeat the New Jersey Nets to win the 2003 NBA Finals, 4-2. [24]

June 18

• Death of Larry Doby, baseball player (born 1923). [24]

June 23

• Barry Bonds becomes the first major league baseball player to hit 500 homers and steal 500 bases in his career. [56]

June 26

• Death of Marc-Vivien Foé, Cameroon National Soccer Team (born 1975). [24]

July 2

• At the International Olympic Committee session in Prague, Vancouver, British Columbia is declared the Host City for the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010. [24]

July 5

• Death of Roman Lyashenko, Russian hockey player (born 1979). [24]

July 15

• Death of Tex Schramm, American football team president and general manager (born 1920). [24]

August 9

• Death of Ray Harford, English footballer and manager (born 1945). [24]

August 14

• Death of Helmut Rahn, German footballer (born 1929). [24]

August 23

• Death of Bobby Bonds, American baseball player (born 1946). [24]

September 15

• Barry Bonds walks for the 2,063rd time in his career, passing Babe Ruth on the all-time walks list to become number two on the list. [56]

September 28

• Death of Althea Gibson, American tennis player (born 1927). [24]

October 5

• Death of Dan Snyder, Canadian hockey player (born 1978). [24]

October 12

• Death of Willie Shoemaker, American jockey (born 1931). [5] [24]
• Michael Schumacher wins the 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship in Suzuka, Japan, beating Kimi Räikkönen to the title. [24]

October 16

• The New York Yankees defeat the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, the 39th American League pennant for the Yankees. [56]
• Death of László Papp, Hungarian boxer (born 1926). [24]

October 19

• Death of Michael Hegstrand (Hawk), WWE wrestler (born 1957). [24]

October 22

• Death of Tony Renna, American race car driver (born 1976). [24]

October 25

• The Florida Marlins defeat the New York Yankees to win their second baseball World Series title. [24]

November 3

• Death of Spider Jorgensen, American baseball player and coach (born 1919). [24]

November 6

• Death of Rie Mastenbroek, Dutch swimmer (born 1919). [24]
• Death of Mike Lockwood (Crash Holly) WWE wrestler (born 1971). [24]

November 11

• Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays wins the American League Cy Young Award. [56]

November 15

• Death of Ray Lewis, Canadian runner (born 1910). [24]

November 16

• The Edmonton Eskimos win the Canadian Football League Championship for the first time in a decade, defeating the Montreal Alouettes 34-22 in the 91st Grey Cup at Taylor Field in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. [24]

November 22

• England wins the 2003 Rugby World Cup, defeating Australia 20-17 after extra time. [24]

November 24

• Death of Warren Spahn, baseball player (born 1921). [24]

November 30

• Death of Gertrude Ederle, American swimmer (born 1906). [24]

December 3

• Mike Lowell signs a four-year, $32 million deal with the Florida Marlins. [56]

December 4

• Death of Iggy Katona, American race car driver (born 1916). [24]

December 11

• Andy Pettitte signs a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Houston Astros. [56]

December 15

• Death of Keith Magnuson, Canadian hockey player (born 1947). [24]

December 16

• Miguel Tejada agrees to a six-year $72 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles making it the largest deal in the history of the franchise. [56]

December 17

• The New York Yankees and Gary Sheffield final a $39 million, three-year deal. [56]
• Death of Otto Graham, American football player (born 1921). [24]

December 27

• Death of Ivan Calderon, Puerto Rican baseball player (murdered) (born 1962). [24]

2004

January 2

• Death of Paul Hopkins, Reported to be the oldest living former Major League Baseball player (born 1904). [25]

January 4

• The LSU Tigers defeat the Oklahoma Sooners 21-14 for the national Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title. [25]
• Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. [56]

January 6

• Death of Tug McGraw, baseball player (born 1944). [25]

January 31

• Death of Eleanor Holm, American swimmer (born 1913). [25]

February 1

• The New England Patriots win NFL Super Bowl XXXVIII, as Adam Vinatieri kicks the game-winning field goal with four seconds left. [25]

February 4

• The Saint Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols agree to a US$100 million, seven-year deal. [56]

February 14

• Death of Marco Pantani, Italian cyclist (born 1970). [25]

February 21

• Death of John Charles CBE, Welsh footballer (born 1931). [25]

March 2

• Death of Cormac McAnallen, Irish footballer (born 1980). [25]
• Death of Marge Schott, baseball team owner (born 1928). [25]

April 11

• Phil Mickelson wins The Masters Tournament, his first Men's major golf championship. [25]

April 12

• Barry Bonds hit his 660th career homerun, tying his godfather, Willie Mays for third on the all-time homerun list. The 72-year old Mays greets Bonds at home plate with an $18,000 torch studded with diamonds forming the numbers 660, 25 (Barry's number), and 1, the number to needed move ahead. [56]

April 13

• At SBC Park in San Francisco, Barry Bonds hits his 661st career homer to move up to third on the all-time homer run career list. [56]

April 16

• India defeats Pakistan in their first cricket tour in 14 years. [25]

April 22

• Death of Pat Tillman, American football player and U.S. Army Ranger (killed in action) (born 1976). [25]

May 1

• Barry Bonds sets a major league record by being walked four times intentionally in a nine-inning game. [56]

May 5

• Mike Piazza of the New York Mets hits his 352nd home run, passing Carlton Fisk for most home runs hit by a catcher. [56]
• After pitching his 4136th strikeout, Roger Clemens moves ahead of Steve Carlton into second place on the career strikeouts list. [56]

May 9

• Canada wins the World Ice Hockey Championship in Prague, Czech Republic. [25]

May 12

• At Dodger Stadium, Alex Cora of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits foul off 14 consecutive pitches, then hits the 18th thrown for a two-run home run. [56]

May 15

• Arsenal complete a whole English Premiership season unbeaten, 38 games. [25]
• South Africa is awarded the 2010 FIFA World Cup. [25]

May 19

• Brad Thompson breaks a 97-year-old minor league record set by pitching 57 consecutive scoreless innings. [56]

May 26

• F.C. Porto wins the European Champion Clubs Cup defeating A.S. Monaco by 3-0. [25]

June 7

• Tampa Bay Lightning defeats Calgary Flames in 2004 NHL Stanley Cup Finals. [25]

June 13

• Death of Dick Durrance, American skier (born 1914). [25]

June 15

• The Detroit Pistons upset the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers to win the 2004 NBA Finals, four games to one. [25]

June 20

• Ken Griffey, Jr. of the Cincinnati Reds hits his 500th career home run, the 20th major league player to reach this mark. [56]
• Retief Goosen wins the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. [25]

June 21

• Death of Ron Ashman, former footballer and football manager (born 1926). [25]

June 27

• Death of Darrell Russell, American race car driver (born 1968). [25]

July 4

• Greece beats Portugal 1-0 to win the Euro 2004. [25]

July 5

• Death of Rodger Ward, American race car driver (born 1921). [25]
• Pitcher Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim sets a new record streak of 84 consecutive saves, as he gives up a win on his 85th game. [56]

July 18

• Todd Hamilton wins The Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club. [25]

July 25

• Paul Molitor and Dennis Eckersley are inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Broadcaster Lon Simmons wins the Ford C. Frick Award and writer Murray Chass wins the J.G. Taylor Spink Award. [56]
• Lance Armstrong of Austin, Texas wins an unprecedented 6th consecutive Tour de France cycling title. [25]

August 9

• British footballer Lee Hughes, 28, is sentenced to six years in prison and banned from driving for ten years after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Hughes also has his contract terminated by his employers West Bromwich Albion. [25]

August 13

• (to August 29) The Games of the XXVIII Olympiad are held in Athens, Greece. [7]

August 15

• Vijay Singh wins the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. [25]

August 27

• Death of Willie Crawford, baseball player (born 1946). [25]

August 29

• Michael Schumacher wins a record seventh world championship title by finishing second in the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. [25]

September 11

• Barry Bonds becomes the first major league baseball player to walk over 200 times in a single season. [56]

September 17

• The 2004 Summer Paralympics commences in Athens, Greece. [25]
• Barry Bonds hits his 700th career home run, third player in major league baseball to reach the milestone. [56]

September 22

• Death of Ray Traylor, American professional wrestler (born 1962). [25]

September 25

• Port Adelaide Power win their first premiership against Brisbane Lions in AFL Grand Final. [25]

September 26

• Death of Marianna Komlos American professional wrestler and fitness model (born 1969). [25]

September 29

• Major League Baseball announces the Montreal Expos will move to Washington D.C. in time for the 2005 season. [56]

October 1

• Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners breaks the major league record for hits in a single season, with hit number 258. [56]

October 3

• The Montreal Expos play their last baseball game in their 36-year history. [56]
• Death of John Cerutti, baseball player and announcer at age 44 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (born 1960). [25] [56]

October 10

• Death of Ken Caminiti, baseball player (heart attack) (born 1963). [25]

October 16

• The New York Yankees defeat the Boston Red Sox 19-8 in Game three of Major League Baseball's American League Championship Series. The game, which pushed the Yankees to a 3 games to 0 series lead, sets a record for longest 9 inning baseball game. [25]
• Arsenal loses for the first time in 49 league games, a national record, going down 2-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford. [25]

October 20

• The Boston Red Sox defeat the New York Yankees 10-3 in Game 7 of the Major League Baseball's American League Championship Series to win the series 4 games to 3. The Boston Red Sox become the first team in baseball history to come back from a 0-3 deficit to win a series. Overcoming a 3-0 series deficit has only happened twice previously in all of professional sports. [25] [56]

October 21

• The Saint Louis Cardinals defeat the Houston Astros in game seven to win the National League Championship Series, advancing to the World Series for the first time in 17 years. [56]

October 24

• Death of Ricky Hendrick, American race car driver and owner (born 1980). [25]
• Michael Schumacher wins his 7th Formula One World Drivers Championship, his 5th consecutive win, making him the most successful driver in the history of Formula One. [25]

October 27

• The Boston Red Sox win American baseball's World Series for the first time since 1918, defeating the Saint Louis Cardinals in four games. Curt Schilling becomes the first starting pitcher to win a World Series for three different teams. [25] [56]
• Barry Bonds' 700th home run ball sells for US$804,129 in an online auction. [56]

October 28

• Death of Jimmy McLarnin, Irish-born boxer (born 1907). [25]

November 19

• The NBA's Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons engage in a brawl that involves fans and players. The incident gets Pacer Ron Artest suspended for the whole season. [25]

November 21

• The Toronto Argonauts win the Canadian Football League Championship for the first time in seven years, defeating the British Columbia Lions in the 92nd Grey Cup 27-19 at Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, Canada. [25]

November 22

• The recently relocated Washington National League baseball franchise announces its new name, the Nationals. [56]

November 23

• In England, Alex Ferguson takes charge of his 1,000th game as manager of Manchester United. [25]

November 29

• Death of Bernard Robinson, English footballer (born 1911). [25]

December 17

• The Seattle Mariners sign free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre to a $64 million, five-year deal. [56]

December 23

• Free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew signs a five-year, $55 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. [56]

December 24

• Death of Johnny Oates, baseball player and manager (born 1926). [25]

December 26

• Death of Reggie White, American football player (born 1961). [5] [25]