2001 World Series

The 2001 World Series (the "November Series") was arguably one of the most exciting World Series in recent memory. The best-of-seven-games series determined the World Champion of Major League Baseball of 2001. It featured two extra-inning games and three late-inning comebacks (against two of Major League Baseball's best closers), and went to the maximum 7 games.

Summary

The Arizona Diamondbacks, tying a record, previously set by the Marlins in 1997 by reaching the Series in just their fourth season of existence, took on the storied 3-time defending champion New York Yankees, who were trying to become the only team to win four straight titles since they won five consecutively from 1949 to 1953. Additionally, the Series would be taking place in New York City only seven weeks after the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks, representing a remarkable boost in morale for the fatigued city. Arizona captured the Series, 4 games to 3, thereby dethroning the defending World Champions and earning their first title.

Related Topics:
Arizona Diamondbacks - New York Yankees - New York City - September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks

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Arizona won the first two games at home handily, but New York won the next three in close contests in Yankee Stadium, including two dramatic ninth-inning comebacks against Arizona closer Byung-Hyun Kim. Arizona won the sixth game behind Randy Johnson, who then came in to pitch in relief of Schilling in game 7. The Diamondbacks won the game 3-2, with Jay Bell scoring the winning run on a bloop single by Luis Gonzalez, in the bottom of the ninth inning off the Yankees' ace closer, Mariano Rivera.

Related Topics:
Byung-Hyun Kim - Randy Johnson - Jay Bell - Luis Gonzalez - Mariano Rivera

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It is notable that the home team won every game in the Series. This had only happened twice before, in 1987 and 1991; both times, the Minnesota Twins won the Series. This Series was also the subject of an HBO documentary Nine Innings From Ground Zero in 2004. http://www.hbo.com/sports/nineinnings/

Related Topics:
1987 - 1991 - Minnesota Twins - HBO - 2004

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Umpires: Steve Rippley, Dana DeMuth, Dale Scott, Mark Hirschbeck, Jim Joyce, Ed Rapuano

Related Topics:
Steve Rippley - Dana DeMuth - Dale Scott - Mark Hirschbeck - Jim Joyce - Ed Rapuano

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Series MVPs: Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, Arizona

Related Topics:
Randy Johnson - Curt Schilling

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