I mentioned in another thread that the Phillies released their tentative 2003 schedule--including the home opener's starting time of 1:33 pm to commemorate the 33rd and final season of the Vet, and a doubleheader. First time in ages they actually scheduled one in advance!

But it seems that the interleague schedule is different from 2002. This past season they had three games vs. four of the five AL Central teams (Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Minnesota but not Kansas City) plus three home and three road games with Baltimore. Total of 18.

For 2003 the rotation has the AL West on the schedule: three games at Anaheim, Seattle for three at the Vet, and Oakland for three at the Vet. (Almost 50 years after the A's left Philadelphia, they finally return!) But no games with Texas. Instead Boston comes to town for three games. And of course, the now-traditional weekend at Camden Yards. Peter Angelos needs our money! So, that's only 15 interleague games.

Was there something negotiated between the players and owners that reduced the total number of interleague games? Or is this just a schedule quirk of some kind?

Where did you find the 2003 schedule?

I looked on mets.com for their schedule and also on mlb.com for 2003 schedules and I found nothing.

thanks

Josh

I found the Phillies schedule at Phillies.com after seeing an item about it in the Phila. Daily News. I had been looking for it about a week or two ago, after I read something about the Orioles releasing their schedule, but at the time the Phils hadn't announced anything. I did a random search and a few other teams had schedules out. I guess it won't be much longer until the plans are firmed up for all teams.