About the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks were already a hit in Phoenix as more than 50,000 fans showed up to their opening game in 1998. When the 1998 season finished, the Arizona Diamondbacks had a record for longest winning streak by an expansion team. During the off season, hometown hero, Randy Johnson joins the Arizona Diamondbacks and in 1999 goes to the All-Star game with Matt Williams, Jay Bell, and Luis Gonzalez as the Arizona Diamondbacks feature the most All-Stars that season. Tony Womack got the teams first inside the park home runa grand slamto win a game. A hundred wins for the season made the Arizona Diamondbacks the first team to win their division after two years of being formed. While the team got knocked out in the first round, Randy Johnson received the Cy Young and Steve Finley got a Gold Glove.

Randy Johnson opened the 2000 season for the Arizona Diamondbacks with possibly the best opening month ever by a player. When it was over, he was 6-0 with .91 ERA and two shutouts on his way to a second straight Cy Young. Next month was Tony Womacks as he started a 24 game hitting streak. Alex Cabrera put on an Arizona Diamondback jersey and hit a home run in his first at bat in his career. 2001 started much the same as Luis Gonzalez ties an MLB record for home runs in the month of April and Randy Johnson sets an MLB record for most strikeouts in nine innings (20). The Big Unit also became the first pitcher with four consecutive 300 strikeout seasons, tied a record 23 double digit strikeout games, and gets another Cy Young as the Arizona Diamondbacks get their first World Series win. Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson battle it out in 2002 as Johnson became the first player to win six games before May twice seasons and Schilling wins nine in a row as the two become the best pitching duo in history, both got 20 wins (sixth pair of teammates to do so since 1950), both have 300 strikeouts (first teammates in history). In the end Johnson took another Cy Young after a Triple Crown performance (led NL in wins, ERA, and SO).

With Johnson getting off season surgery and Schilling fracturing a wrist bone, the Arizona Diamondbacks win 12 straight in 2003, the same year Johnson hits his first homer and Curt Schilling got traded to Boston. Arizona Diamondbacks took a step way back in 2004 as Big Unit pitched a thirteen strikeout perfect game, the first 40 year old to do that, and changed managers three times and go 51-111 for the season.

Randy Johnson is by far the all time best pitcher the club has ever had, leading in all pitching categories except saves and games played, punctuated by having almost a thousand more strikeouts than any other player the team has had. Luis Gonzalez is his equivalent for Arizona Diamondbacks hitters, only falling behind someone in strikeouts, stolen bases, and triples.

Bank One Ballpark has always been home for the Arizona Diamondbacks, with over 50,000 tickets needed to sell out a game. one of many fields with a retractable roof, Bank One Ballpark also has a pool where 35 people can relax while watching the Arizona Diamondbacks play. between the roof and Air Conditioning, Arizona Diamondbacks fans are protected from Phoenixs heat and rain. while half of Arizona Diamondbacks games are played with the roof closed, it is opened most of the time to let light in on the Bulls Eye Bermuda grass that the field uses.