2001 Arizona Diamondbacks

We're back, and hoping you're enjoying another entertaining season of March Madness! In the spirit of the crazy upsets of March, let's take a look back at one of the great World Series Cinderella teams: the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks! Sure, this team won only three fewer games than the Yankee team they faced in the World Series, but New York was coming off three straight titles. The Yankees were a dynasty, a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut that would cruise through another postseason. Arizona was still a fledgling franchise, only in its fourth season. In fact, the Yankees had won a World Series in literally every season Arizona had participated in.

However, Arizona took home the title in seven games. The dramatic walk-off single by superstar Luis Gonzalez in the ninth inning of Game 7 is consistently placed in "Greatest Moments" countdowns. The strength of this team was its starting pitching, behind two Cy Young candidates: Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. In the heart of the steroid era, it was these two hurlers that got the DBacks through the NL. In the end, clutch hitting and workmanlike starts from these two, along with gutsy pitching from their only viable reliever, Kim, was enough to squeak by the mighty Yankees and finally break the hold New York had on baseball. Enjoy this look back!

Batting Order: The DBacks lack a lot of high on-base threats, but have plenty of pop to capitalize on pitcher's mistakes. Luis Gonzalez is the clear star of this team, and their success really depends on him playing dominantly. Honestly, I'm surprised he wasn't intentionally walked more. Mark Grace and Reggie Sanders are the next best hitters, bringing a balance of on-base ability and pure power. Also, Jay Bell was mainly a PH in the World Series, so he's (unfairly) going in the nine slot. If only Tony Womack had his 1999 speed/2004 OBP, then this team would be a true threat offensively. As it is, this is a team that's lack of offensive firepower is surprising considering their era.

Rotation: Not only do Randy Johnson-Curt Schilling combine for arguably the best 1-2 punch in Showdown history, but third starter Miguel Batista brings a tier 1 card to the rotation as well. Unfortunately, Miguel is only a 4 IP starter, which will put extra strain on a tragic bullpen. Thus, the DBacks will be relying heavily on Johnson-Schilling using every ounce of their large IPs. Albie Lopez is not a good pitcher, but at least his 6 IP (hypothetically) saves the team from having to use too much of the bullpen. 

Bullpen: Oof, the roughest element of this team is the bullpen. It makes more and more sense that Kim got used like a workhorse in the World Series after seeing what else was there for use. There's not much nice to say about this bullpen, but still: OUCH!