Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are a Major League Baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are in the National League West division.

Franchise history

In their first five seasons of existence, the Diamondbacks won three division titles (1999, 2001, & 2002) and one World Series. In 1999, Arizona won over 100 games in only its second season to win the National League West division. They lost to the New York Mets in the first round of playoffs.

Related Topics:
1999 - 2001 - 2002 - World Series - National League - New York Mets

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In 2001, Arizona had postseason victories over the St. Louis Cardinals (3-2 in the NLDS) and the Atlanta Braves (4-1 in the NLCS) to advance to the World Series where, in one of the most exciting series ever, they beat the reigning champions, the New York Yankees, 4 to 3, to become the youngest expansion franchise to win the championship. See 2001 World Series.

Related Topics:
2001 - St. Louis Cardinals - NLDS - Atlanta Braves - NLCS - New York Yankees - 2001 World Series

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By the 2004 season, however, the Diamondbacks had dropped to a dismal 51-111 record, the worst in Major League Baseball that year, despite pitcher Randy Johnson throwing a perfect game on May 18 of that season. Manager Bob Brenly was fired partway through the season and was replaced on an interim basis by Al Pedrique. Following the season, the Diamondbacks hired Wally Backman to be the team's manager. Backman was formerly manager of the Class A California League Lancaster JetHawks, one of the Diamondbacks' minor-league affilliates. Backman was then fired after a legal dispute, and Bob Melvin became the new manager after Backman's ten day tenure.

Related Topics:
2004 - Major League Baseball - Randy Johnson - May 18 - Bob Brenly - Al Pedrique - Wally Backman - California League - Lancaster JetHawks - Minor-league - Bob Melvin

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Following the Backman incident, the Diamondbacks spent heavily on free agents in order to build a contender. The club signed 3B Troy Glaus, P Russ Ortiz, SS Royce Clayton, and 2B Craig Counsell, among others. Then, they traded Randy Johnson to the Yankees, while acquiring Javier Vazquez, Brad Halsey and Shawn Green in a three-team trade that included the Dodgers, and sent Shea Hillenbrand to the Blue Jays. Finally, they traded Casey Fossum to the Devil Rays for José Cruz, Jr..

Related Topics:
Troy Glaus - Russ Ortiz - Royce Clayton - Craig Counsell - Randy Johnson - Yankees - Javier Vazquez - Brad Halsey - Shawn Green - Dodgers - Shea Hillenbrand - Blue Jays - Casey Fossum - Devil Rays - José Cruz, Jr.

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