The sports world is supposed to be fun. It’s about athletes competing for glory and fans getting a chance to escape some of the troubles that often plague the rest of the world.

All too often in 2003, it didn’t turn out that way. Some of the biggest sports stories of the year involved scandal, controversy, crimes and disgrace.

It isn’t a pretty picture, but these are some of the stories that dominated the sports headlines in 2003.

1. Kobe Bryant accused of sexual assault

THEN: The Los Angeles Laker was charged with sexual assault of a 19-year-old Colorado hotel employee. Bryant admitted he had sex with the woman but said it was consensual.

NOW: Unless you’ve been living in a spider hole, it’s impossible to escape the media fascination with the Bryant case. Every tidbit of information about the case reaches TV networks and Internet sites, including photos and the name of Bryant’s accuser. Bryant continues to play well and leads the Lakers in scoring this season. The next pre-trial hearing is Jan. 23.

2. Annika Sorenstam plays PGA Tour event

THEN: Sorenstam became the first woman in 58 years to compete in a PGA Tour event when she was invited to play in the Bank of America Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas. PGA player Vijay Singh made headlines as one of a few male pros opposed to Sorenstam’s participation. She shot 71 and 74 but failed to make the cut.

NOW: The disappointment at Colonial didn’t stop Sorenstam from earning her sixth consecutive LPGA Player of the Year award while winning four tournaments, including the LPGA Championship.

3. LeBron James goes from high school to top NBA pick

THEN: The Akron, Ohio, high school basketball phenom was the first player taken in the NBA draft, signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers and getting a $90 million shoe contract from Nike.

NOW: James has lived up to his billing. He is averaging more than 19 points, six rebounds and six assists a game. But the Cavs remain one of the worst teams in the NBA. James’ new Nikes are on sale for $110 a pair.

4. The Baylor basketball scandal

THEN: A sordid tale that began with the disappearance of player Patrick Dennehy, whose body was later found with a gunshot to the head. Teammate Carlton Dotson was arrested as the alleged perpetrator. The tragedy, along with news of numerous NCAA violations, led to the resignations of coach Dave Bliss and athletic director Tom Stanton.

NOW: Scott Drew left Valparaiso to take over as coach of the beleaguered program that has only seven scholarship players this season. The two best players from last season transferred to other schools. Point guard John Lucas is at Oklahoma State, and power forward Lawrence Roberts is playing for Mississippi State. Bliss and his family moved to Colorado, where his son is playing high school basketball.

5. Bizarre Cubs season

THEN: A corked bat, a vilified fan and the same old Chicago Cubs jinx in the end. Outfielder Sammy Sosa was suspended 10 games for using a corked bat. Unwitting Cubs fan Steve Bartman was thrust in the national spotlight when he reached for a foul ball and kept Moises Alou from catching it in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series. The Cubs blew a lead to Florida and went on to lose the series.

NOW: Sosa apologized to the fans, saying it was an honest mistake, but his standing as one of the game’s top home run hitters may be tarnished forever.

Life goes on for Bartman, who also apologized to the fans. He was forgiven by Cubs manager Dusty Baker, who said he hopes to have Bartman join the Cubs on a victory parade after they win the 2004 World Series.

6. Compromised college coaches

THEN: Iowa State basketball coach Larry Eustachy, Alabama football coach Mike Price and Washington football coach Rick Neuheisel were fired because of controversial off-field misconduct.

NOW: Neuheisel is suing the University of Washington, saying he was wrongfully fired for gambling in an expensive college basketball pool. Price, who recently was hired as head coach at UT-El Paso, is suing Sports Illustrated for defamation over an article about his visit to a strip club, which led to his firing. Eustachy, who resigned after photos showed him partying with University of Missouri coeds, says he is an alcoholic but wants to return to coaching.

7. Bowl Championship Series chaos

THEN: The BCS became a big mess when Southern Cal was left out of the championship game. The goal of a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup failed when the BCS computers didn’t include the Trojans, who rank No. 1 in the AP poll and the coaches’ poll.

NOW: The controversy has fueled more talk about developing a playoff system with eight or 16 teams.

8. The A-Rod saga

THEN: Playing on a bad team didn’t stop Rangers shortstop Alex Rodriguez from winning the American League MVP award. News surfaced of a rift between Rodriguez and Texas manager Buck Showalter.

NOW: The Rangers desperately tried to trade Rodriguez to decrease their financial burden. Texas entered serious negotiations to trade Rodriguez to Boston for outfielder Manny Ramirez and cash considerations. The players’ union nixed the deal.

9. Lance Armstrong makes it 5-for-5

THEN: Armstrong joins the legends of cycling history by winning a record-tying fifth consecutive Tour de France.

NOW: Armstrong said he plans to compete in two more Tour de France events before retiring.

10. Track athletes in steroid bust

THEN: In what was described by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency officials as the biggest steroid bust in sports history, several elite American track and field athletes tested positive for a new designer steroid distributed by a nutrition company in California.

NOW: San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds was one of several high-profile athletes who testified before a federal grand jury in a probe into Balco Labs.