The
Arizona Diamondbacks began playing as a Major League expansion
team in 1998, and the team has proven itself as a force
to be reckoned with in its short existence. The first
season wasn’t perfect, with the team winning only
65 of its 162 games. By the next year, though, the Diamondbacks
made it to the post-season and won their division.
In
2000, the team finished third with a .525 season, but
in 2001, the Diamondbacks fought their way to their first
Word Series and the championship. The team made the playoffs
again the following year. Their winning ways have helped
sell enough Diamondbacks tickets to keep the seats at
Chase Field occupied.
Fans
have enjoyed excellence from this young team. At least
one player every year has been invited to the All-Star
game, and often more than one from the team. Diamondbacks
players have won a surprising number of awards in the
team’s short history. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez was
named an All-Star in 1999, and again from 2001-2003. He
also received the Silver Slugger award in 2001. Curt Schilling,
a great right-handed pitcher, took the Roberto Clemente
award in 2001, and was chosen as an All-Star in 2001 and
2002. Oufielder Steve Finley took Gold Glove honors in
1999 and 2000.
One
of the most beloved players, a huge draw for fans buying
baseball tickets, was pitcher Randy Johnson. Known as
“The Big Unit”, the 6’10” southpaw
was a unique phenomenon who once threw a ball so hard,
it blasted apart a bird that happened to fly between Johnson
and the batter at just the wrong moment. Johnson was named
to the All-Stars every year from 1999 to 2004, and took
an incredible four consecutive Cy Young awards. In 2001,
he set a Major League record for throwing more than 300
strikeouts for four seasons in a row. He pitched a perfect
game in 2004, the oldest pitcher to manage such a rare
feat. Naturally, fans were hugely disappointed to see
Johnson traded to the Yankees in 2005.
Johnson’s
perfect game was the only bright spot in 2004, which saw
changes in management and ownership of the Diamondbacks.
Despite trading and acquiring free agents to build a stronger
team, the club was plagued by injuries and suffered a
disappointing 2005 season. The future looks bright for
the Diamondbacks, however, and fans look forward to cheering
in Chase Field and watching the dynasty roar back to life
.