Flashback #52: Cubs Win 2003 NL Central (2003)

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September 27, 2003 - Cubs win 2003 NL Central

In 2003, armed with a new manager in Dusty Baker and three young, emerging starting pitchers, the Chicago Cubs did what they hadn't done since 1989 -- they won their division.

Behind starting pitchers Mark Prior, Kerry Wood and Carlos Zambrano, all of whom were under the age of 26 and won at least 13 games, the Cubs won their first-ever National League Central Division title since the divisions were realigned in 1994, and first divisional title since they took home the 1989 NL East crown.

The pitching staff as a whole led the National League in strikeouts with 1,404, over 100 more than any other team in the 2003 season.

The Cubs were coming off a forgettable 2002 season in which they finished 67-95, 30 games out of first place. The dismal finish led to the promotion of Jim Hendry to general manager. One of Hendry's first acts as GM was to trade for outfielder Kenny Lofton and third baseman Aramis Ramirez from the Pirates.

The club assembled by Hendry seemed to click off the bat, as the team finished with a record of 88-74, one game ahead of second-place Houston.

Chicago clinched the division in dramatic fashion by sweeping the Pirates in a doubleheader at Wrigley Field.

"The whole team came through together," Sammy Sosa said after the division-clincher. "We never gave up. We've been through so many things this year. We just stayed together and supported each other and Dusty did an unbelievable job. For us to win the division here in Chicago, is like a dream come true."

Still the division title wasn't all Baker was looking for. He had one goal in mind.

"This is the first step in a four-step process," Baker said. "This is step one and we've got three more steps to climb. They're big steps, but I think this club is capable and willing to make those steps."

After clinching the series, the Cubs had a date with the Braves in the NLDS.

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