Arizona Diamondbacks History

Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball History

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