WHAT?

Jan. 3, 2003
Board of Directors declined to exercise the 2003 club option on First Baseman Chris Minor, making him a free agent.

Jan. 18, 2003
After 1½ years, Joe Ratliff resigned from his position as Player/General Manager.

Feb. 1, 2003
The Rebels agreed to terms with OF- Louis Torres on a one-year deal with a club option for 2004.

Feb. 7, 2003
The Board of Directors hires on Carson Florio as the new team General Manager.

Feb. 22, 2003
At his first press conference of a new era, GM announces that the team key components will receive long term extensions to solidify the future of the Rebels.

Mar. 11, 2003
The Rebels agree to continually play both the Tuesday Night Municipal League and the Thursday Night Central League.

April. 10, 2003
Utility player Jonathan Schumacher ends his hold-out and signs an extension, thus avoiding salary arbitration.

April 12, 2003
General Manager Carson Florio signs Short Stop Brad Jensen, All-Star Outfielder Rick Garza and Nestor Toro to long term contracts.

April. 25, 2003
The Board of Directors decides to pull out of the Waukegan’s Spring Tournament.

May 2, 2003
Team drafts Ross Jensen with the 2nd pick of the 17th round, and Jeremiah Johnson with the 4th pick of the 22nd round.

May 9, 2003
To complete the January 21, 2002, deal that sent Pitcher T.J. Couvall to the Go jo’s softball organization for their 2003 first round draft pick, Rebels GM Carson Florio selected Ryan Borre in the first round to fill the void at first base.

May 13, 2003
Rookie first basemen Ryne Borre and pitcher Ricardo Mitchell make their team debut.

May 16, 2003
GM Carson Florio continues to test the market, by signing free agent Pitcher/Slugger Ricardo Mitchell to a one year deal with a player option in 2004 and a club option 2005.

May 29, 2003
With tension at an all-time high, Pitcher Dennis Wuorenma ends his holdout to avoid being suspended without pay by GM Carson Florio.

June 17, 2003
Outfielder Rick Garza hit his longest homerun to date 365ft. The ball ended up on the roof of Jefferson Jr High.

June 19, 2003
Third Baseman Kevin Lowery hit three home runs in game two with 7 RBI’s, a total of 4 home runs were hit from him in the two games.

July 22, 2003
Jerry Vasquez suffered by injuries all season is forced to go on the disable list as the Squad finished eighth overall for the season.
Also on this date: All-Star third basemen Ross Jensen make his team debut. Jensen batted .448 with 12 runs during his call-up.

Aug. 4, 2003
The Rebels’ shook the softball world by signing Utility Player Zach Smole, who during the mid-season won his free agency in court.

Aug. 6, 2003
A youth movement had been brewing on the South Side since 2002. With a core of young stars like Rick Garza, Kevin Lowery and Nestor Toro, the Rebels were hungry for a trip to the post-season. Sparked by speed, a solid defense and a breakout year form Brad Jensen, the Rebels won 19 games and captured their first-ever Thursday Night Central League Division flag.

Aug. 7, 2003
First basemen Zack Smole make his team debut.

Aug. 20, 2003
Rebels win their first ever franchise playoff game by defeating the Black Sox 13–7 at Dugdale Park.

Aug. 21, 2003
Following the Rebels loses in the fourth round of the Waukegan Summer Playoffs, Pitcher Dennis Wuorenma walks out on the team, GM Carson Florio later acknowledges that his contract was not going to be renewed in the off season.

Aug 29, 2003
Pitcher/Slugger Ricardo Mitchell exercise his player option and agreed to terms for 2004 season.

Sept. 5, 2003
The Rebels and Go-Jo’s softball merge together to play in the Waukegan American Fall League softball for this year.

Oct. 2, 2003
First basemen Seth Smole make his team debut.

Oct. 15, 2003
The Rebels produced three hitters who belted 90 or more base hits, Ricardo Mitchell (124), Nestor Toro (119) and Brad Jansen (90) who had only played in the summer.

Oct. 24, 2003
General Manager Carson Florio declined to exercise the 2004 club option on outfielder Louie Torres and Pitcher Dennis Wuorenma, making them both free agents.

Nov. 2, 2003
The Rebels created shock waves throughout the league when they traded Carson Florio, one of the most respected love athletes in Rebels history, to the Go jo’s softball organize for a player to be named later.