Arizona Diamondbacks
From BR Bullpen
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Franchise |
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Franchise Record: 652-644 World Series Titles: 1 (2001) National League Pennants: 1 (2001) Playoffs: 4 (1999, 2001, 2002, 2007) Franchise Players: Luis Gonzalez, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling |   |
The Arizona Diamondbacks were one of the two latest expansion teams, starting play in 1998 alongside the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (see Expansion of 1998). A name the team contest was held, sponsored by the Arizona Republic newspaper, with the choices being the eventual winners the Diamondbacks as well as the Coyotes, Rattlers, Scorpions and Phoenix. The team hired Buck Showalter as thier first manager shortly after the 1995 playoffs. His first coaching staff included three of Showalter's former Yankees coaches. Their first game was on March 31, 1998 at Bank One Ballpark, with the first pitch being thrown by Andy Benes. Travis Lee collected the team's first hit and first home run, but the DBacks lost 9-2 to the Colorado Rockies. They finished in last place in their division in their first season, but in 1999, after signing free agent pitcher Randy Johnson, the club was greatly improved. Johnson won the Cy Young Award, and the Diamondbacks won 100 games and their first division title. During the 2000 season, they further strengthened their pitching staff when they sent four players to the Philadelphia Phillies for Curt Schilling. In 2001, powered by their Johnson-Schilling pitching tandem (each of whom won more than 20 games) and slugging outfielder Luis Gonzalez (who hit 57 home runs), Arizona won the National League Pennant. They then went on to win the franchise's first World Series over the New York Yankees in one of the greatest seven game series in sports history.
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