The 2003 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing third in the American League Central, with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses. It was the only winning season for the franchise between 1994 and 2013. 2003 was a hopeful and promising winning season ("We Believe" was the slogan) for the Royals, as they begin the season winning their first 9 games, and the team spent 93 days in first place in the AL Central. But the team faded down the stretch, falling out of first place for the last time on August 31, and were eliminated from playoff contention on September 23. Offseason October 15, 2002: AJ Hinch was released by the Kansas City Royals. December 18, 2002: Buddy Carlyle was signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals. Regular season Opening Day starters Michael Tucker – CF Joe Randa – 3B Mike Sweeney – 1B Raúl Ibañez – LF Brandon Berger – RF Ken Harvey – DH Ángel Berroa – SS Brent Mayne – C Carlos Febles – 2B Season standings Record vs. opponents Roster Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Farm system LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: AZL Royals Blue Notes References 2003 Kansas City Royals team page at Baseball Reference 2003 Kansas City Royals team page at www.baseball-almanac.com Kansas City Royals seasons Kansas City Royals season Kansas City Royals