Fans of Arizona D'Back Baseball |
| The relatively young Arizona Diamondbacks franchise began play on March 31, 1998 with an opening season loss to the Colorado Rockies before 50,179 fans at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. The inaugural season saw the D'backs win seven straight games by September 4, the longest such streak ever by an expansion team in its first year. Randy Johnson signs with the team on December 1, 1998. |
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2001 World Series Program (versus New York) |
Luis Gonzalez drove in the winning run of the 2001 WS |
Randy Johnson
All-Time D'Backs leader in wins (103) |
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Post-season experience comes to the Diamondbacks franchise in just their second year of existance. On October 3, 1999, Arizona notches win number 100 versus the San Diego Padres. While the Mets would oust the Diamondbacks in four games during the League Championship Series, the precedent of a second year expansion franchise making the playoffs is astounding. In comparison the other 1998 expansion franchise Tampa Bay Devil Rays have yet to have a winning season, let alone a playoff birth. It took the Seattle Mariners 18 years to earn their first playoff birth. The Texas Rangers waited 22 years after their move from Washington to make the playoffs in 1995 for the first time.
In 2000 Randy Johnson wins his third Cy Young Award and tallies his 3,000th career strikeout. The Arizona native was an unbelievable 6-0 with a 0.91 ERA in the month of April. The following season proved to be a continuation of 2000 with a second straight starting assignment at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Johnson joins 20-game winner Curt Schilling to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to their second straight National League Western Division Title. Unlike the 1999 playoffs, the D'backs were able to win the League Division Series over the St. Louis Cardinals and advance to their first League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. Like the LDS, Arizona wins in give games over the Braves for a World Series birth.
The 2001 World Series begins with a pair of victories over the New York Yankees. Game 2 saw Randy Johnson shut out the Bronx Bombers 4-0 for the 2-0 series lead. The roadtrip to New York however was disastrous as the Phoenix franchise drops three straight. When all appeared lost in the ninth inning of Game 7, Luis Gonzalez singles in Jay Bell to complete a two-run comeback at the end of Game 7. Thus the Diamondbacks become the fastest expansion team to ever win a World Title.
Arizona wins a third N.L. West title in 2002 behind 300-strikeout campaigns by Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. The pitchers are the first ever teamates to talley 300 k's in the same season. Randy Johnson wins his fourth consecutive Cy Young Award that season as well.
World Series Appearances:
- 2001 vs. New York Yankees W. 4-3
Arizona Diamondbacks All-Time Team Leaders
| Rank |
Player |
Statistic |
| Batting Average |
| 1 |
Greg Colbrunn |
.310 |
| 2 |
Luis Gonzalez |
.307 |
| 3 |
Danny Bautista |
.296 |
| Homeruns |
| 1 |
Luis Gonzalez |
188 |
| 2 |
Steve Finley |
153 |
| 3 |
Matt Williams |
99 |
| RBI's |
| 1 |
Luis Gonzalez |
639 |
| 2 |
Steve Finley |
479 |
| 3 |
Matt Williams |
381 |
| Hits |
| 1 |
Luis Gonzalez |
1,049 |
| 2 |
Steve Finley |
847 |
| 3 |
Tony Womack |
677 |
| Stolen Bases |
| 1 |
Tony Womack |
182 |
| 2 |
Steve Finley |
70 |
| 3 |
Craig Counsell |
35 |
| Wins |
| 1 |
Randy Johnson |
103 |
| 2 |
Curt Schilling |
58 |
| 3 |
Brian Anderson |
41 |
| Earned Run Average |
| 1 |
Randy Johnson |
2.65 |
| 2 |
Curt Schilling |
3.14 |
| 3 |
Brandon Webb |
3.24 |
| Strikeouts |
| 1 |
Randy Johnson |
1,832 |
| 2 |
Curt Schilling |
875 |
| 3 |
Brian Anderson |
410 |
| Saves |
| 1 |
Matt Mantei |
74 |
| 2 |
Byung-Hyun Kim |
70 |
| 3 |
Gregg Olson |
44 |
Arizona Diamondbacks Retired Numbers
| Number |
Player |
| 42 |
Jackie Robinson |
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The D'backs took high school short-stop Stephen Drew with their first pick in the 2004 draft. But Drew, who is |
| represented by Scott Boras, was out of the D'backs' price range going in and had not signed him as of late January. This selection widened the rift between then-managing general partner Jerry Colangelo and the rest of the ownership group, eventually leading to Colangelo's departure. |
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Major League Baseball Tix |
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Carlos Quentin's professional debut was highly anticipated after having surgery to repair an elbow ligament |
following his college career at Stanford. He did not disappoint, having one of the more solid offensive seasons in the minors. Between Double-A and high Class A, he hit .339 with a .435 OBP, and showed impressive power with 33 doubles, 21 home runs and a .561 slugging percentage.
Very strong and athletic, he drives the ball hard to all fields and has good bat speed. He is an aggressive hitter, but is disciplined at the plate (0.76 BB/K). By standing on top of the plate, he set a minor league record by getting hit by a pitch 43 times last season.
Quentin has the type of throwing arm that can alter a game, possessing outstanding on-line carry, and he covers sufficient ground in right field. With an outfield opening in Arizona, a good performance in spring training could land him a job in the majors. |
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