Arizona
Diamondbacks, professional baseball team and one of five teams in
the West Division of the National League (NL). Based in Phoenix,
Arizona, the Diamondbacks play at Bank One Ballpark. The club takes
its name from the venomous diamondback rattlesnake that is found in
the southwestern United States. The team’s uniform colors are
Arizona turquoise, copper, black, and purple.
The Diamondbacks joined the major leagues on March 9, 1995, along
with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Major League Baseball (MLB) awarded
the Phoenix expansion team franchise to an investment group headed
by Jerry Colangelo, owner of the Phoenix Suns of the National
Basketball Association (NBA). Roland Hemond, a three-time winner of
MLB’s executive of the year award for his work with the Baltimore
Orioles during the 1980s, was named the club’s vice president of
baseball operations.
The Diamondbacks began play in April 1998 under the direction of
former New York Yankees manager Buck Showalter. Before the season,
Arizona filled its roster by selecting players from existing major
league teams in a special expansion team draft. Arizona bolstered
its roster by signing several free agents, including shortstop Jay
Bell and pitcher Andy Benes, and by trading for several established
stars, including third baseman Matt Williams and center fielder
Devon White. The team finished last in its division in its first
season, with a win-loss record of 65-97.
The team improved steadily, however, with a mix of young talent and
experienced players. After adding free agent pitcher Randy Johnson
before the 1999 season, Arizona racked up a 100-62 record and took
the West Division title as Johnson earned the NL Cy Young Award. The
Diamondbacks lost to the New York Mets in the first round of the
playoffs.
Despite acquiring veteran pitcher Curt Schilling from the
Philadelphia Phillies midway through the season, Arizona finished
third in their division in 2000 and missed the postseason. But in
2001 the Diamondbacks won the West and defeated the St. Louis
Cardinals and Atlanta Braves for the NL pennant. In the World
Series, Arizona beat the three-time defending champion Yankees in
seven games to win the title. Johnson and Schilling shared the most
valuable player (MVP) award for the series.CHAMPIONSHIPS
NL Pennant 2001
World Series
2001 d. Arizona Diamondbacks (4-3)
TOP MANAGER
Prior to the 2001 season, Buck Showalter was the only manager the
team had. He compiled a 250-236 record in three seasons. Manager Bob
Brenly took over at the beginning of the 2001 season and guided the
team to a World Series championship.
MVPS
No MVPs to date
CY YOUNG
Randy Johnson (1999, 2000, 2001)
ROOKIE OF YEAR
No ROYs to date
RETIRED NUMBERS
No retired numbers |
