From First To Worst To First Again
The 2003 Durham Bulls had to overcome some early season struggles to win their second straight International League Championship.

Dan Hickling
MinorLeagueNews.com


PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Although the Durham Bulls were able to dispatch the Pawtucket Red Sox in three straight games to capture back-to-back International League Governors' Cup Championships, nothing came easy for the Bulls as they battled through the 2003 season.

Especially the final game.

They had to gut a 3-2 win on the road before 6,014 at McCoy Stadium, on Sept. 10, to put this title in the books.

"This is the first time for me," said Durham middle reliever Evan Rust. "It's unbelievable. It's something I've been waiting for a long time."

The Bulls pile on to the mound after winning the championship game. Photo Courtesy Durham Bulls

 

 

"Winning is always nice, especially this year," said Bulls second baseman Brooks Badeaux, who along with third baseman Jason Smith are the only two Bulls to take both championship rides.

"We started out slow, and at one point were in last place in our division, but we played well and we stuck it out together," said Badeaux. "(We) deserve this."

Did they ever.

Durham spent a full six weeks at the beginning of the season mired in the IL South basement, before going on a tear.

The Bulls worked their way back into first place on June 26 --ironically with a win over Pawtucket-- and stayed put at the top the rest of the way.

The carryover lasted throughout the playoffs and saw the Bulls through a four game semifinal romp over Louisville before sweeping out the Sox in three straight.

"We've come a long way," said Durham skipper Bill Evers. "There's no substitute for winning, and this is what you work for."

In the process, closer Lee Gardner set what is believed to be an IL playoff record by saving five of the six wins.

"He's been the guy who closed it out all year, said Evers. "Especially in the last six weeks, when he only gave one run."

In all Durham has amassed a 12-1 postseason record during their twin title runs.

"This isn't life and death, but it sure is fun," said Evers, addressing his team in the clubhouse, moments before being hit with a multi-magnum champagne shower. "We've battled all year."

Leading the final charge was Durham starter Jim Magrane, who threw six innings of one-hit ball, before handing off to a quartet of relievers.

"This is no doubt the highlight of my career," said Magrane, who spent much of the year at Double-A Orlando. "I was just happy I got a chance to pitch here."

Durham never trailed in the game, having grabbed a 2-0 in the lead off Pawsox starter Bruce Chen in the top of the fourth.

Jeff Liefer got things started by lashing a one-out double down the right field line. He promptly came in on Jonny Gomes' single up the middle.

Chen's troubles deepened when he walked Jason Smith, then gave up a bloop single to Jorge Cantu, loading the bases.

One out later, Chen walked Jason Tyner to force in Gomes with the second run.

Meanwhile, Magrane and the Bulls sailed through the first four frames, holding Pawtucket hitless, while pitching to just one batter over the minimum.

"I was behind in the count most of the night," said Magrane. "But I think I was effectively wild."

Pawtucket finally found a flaw in Magrane's armor, getting on the board in the top of the fifth.

After Lou Collier had reached first on an error, Magrane hung an outside fastball to Cesar Crespo. Although it was an excellent pitch on the outside edge of the plate, Crespo got all of it and launched it into the left field bullpen to tie the game at 2-2.

"He put a (heck) of a swing on it," said Magrane, "and got a big chunk of it."
The Pawsox charge was promptly countered by the Bulls, when Jorge Cantu hit a solo shot off Chen the very next inning.

"He was pitching inside to me the whole game," said Cantu. "I said 'If this first pitch comes inside, I'm going to whack it.' That's what I did. Thank God I got a hold of it."

Cantu's sixth inning shot proved to be the difference, helping the Bulls become the first back-to-back IL champs since the Columbus Clippers clubs of 1991-92, while delivering Evers his fifth overall championship as a minor league manager.

"I love him," said Cantu. "I'd play for him the rest of my life if I could."

Although Cantu's homer gave the Bulls back the lead for good, there were a couple of close calls, most notably in the bottom of the seventh after Rust came on in relief of Magrane.

The Sox had runners on second and third with one away, but scuttled their chances with horrendous base running when Kelly Dransfeldt hit a sharp one-bouncer back to Rust.

Rust fired to third, catching Crespo in a rundown for one out. Earl Snyder, running from second on the play, committed a blunder by not reaching third, and was tagged out while retreating back to second.

"It was pretty much a no-brainer to throw it to third," said Rust. "They took care of the rest."

On this night, the Bulls won the championship by doing the same thing they had been all year long, firing back every challenge thrown at them.

"It's a scrappy team," said Jason Tyner. "I don't know if we were more talented than a lot of the teams we faced. But we came to play when it mattered. Everybody did their job when we needed to."

 

The 2003 International League Champion Durham Bulls
Photo Courtesy Durham Bulls