The D-Backs are Back

For the first time in twenty-two years the Arizona Diamondbacks are back in the World Series. In 2001 the Diamondbacks beat the New York Yankees four games to three and what a doozy of a series it was. Twice is game four and five the Yankees were down to their final out before tying the game with a dramatic home run. And both times the home runs were hit off Arizona’s ace reliever Byung-Hyung Kim. Each game was then won by the Yanks in extra inning.

But it was game seven that was a real masterpiece. It was the only time in World Series history where the trailing team came back to win game seven in their final at bat.

That game is featured in Chapter 15 of my book Grandpa Gordy’s Greatest World Series Games. In the book Grandpa Gordy, a retired sportswriter who covered baseball for years, gives a unique retelling of the dramatic game to his young grandkids Michael and Jessica. Here is an excerpt for my book.

“Okay little ones,” said Grandpa Gordy, “the Yankees as a result of their two, thrilling come-from-behind victories, were now leading in the series three games to two and needed one more victory to win their 27^th World Championship. That would not be easy because lying in wait in Arizona were those two nasty superstar starters Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. After all the tension of the previous two games, game six was a laugher as Randy Johnson glided to a 15-2 victory. That set the stage for game seven, which was one of the most exciting World Series games in history.”

Grandpa Gordy continued. “Once again, we had ourselves a pitching duel. Roger “the Rocket” Clemens was on the hill for the Yanks and Curt Schilling was back, starting his third game for Arizona. Both were on the top of their games. Zona ended a long string of zeroes with a run in the sixth that was matched by the Yankees with a run in the top of the seventh. Then in the top of the eighth one of the heroes of game five, Alphonso Soriano, came to the plate against the mighty Schilling. Soriano swings. There’s a high fly ball, deep to left. It is high! It is far! It is gone!! A home run for Soriano and the Yankees have a 2-1 lead. Six more outs and the New York Yankees can win their 27^th World Championship. And coming in to pitch in the bottom of the eighth was the magnificent Mariano Rivera, who has an incredible record of 23-consecutive post-season saves! Rivera then promptly strikes out the side in the eighth and the Yankee fans only need to count the outs because they know, with Mariano the Magnificent, it is automatic. But wait. The D-Backs are not buying the Mariano mystique. Mark Grace leads off the bottom of the ninth with a base hit. Damon Miller comes up and bunts trying to move the tying run to second. Rivera fields the ball and instead of getting the easy out at first, he fires to second to cut down the lead runner. But oh my! The throw sails wide and the runner is safe! First and second nobody out. Another bunt. This time by pinch-hitter Jay Bell. Rivera once again fields it and once again goes for the difficult force out, but this time he nails the runner at third for the first out. That brings the D-Backs’ scrappy shortstop Tony Womack to the plate. Two more outs are all Mariano the Magnificent needs. But wait. The pitch to Womack is a cutter in on his hands. He swings. He loops the ball down the right field line. Base hit! Cummings, who ran for Miller, is rounding third. He scores! The game is tied! Rivera then pitches too far inside to Craig Counsell and hits him, and the bases are now loaded for Arizona’s best hitter, Luis “Gonzo” Gonzalez.”

“Joe Torre signals for his infielder and outfielders to come in and play shallow. Just moments ago, New York was in the driver’s seat with the lead. Now, with only one out, the play must be at the plate. Unlike the situation in game five when Torre left the infield back with one out and the winning run on third, this time the D-Backs are the home team and if a run scores it’s all over. So, he must play the infield in. “Gonzo” who hit .325 with 57 home runs and 142 RBIs this season steps to the plate. The Magnificent Mariano, looking supremely confident, checks the sign from his catcher. The pitch. Another cutter, Rivera’s best pitch. In on Gonzo’s hands. He swings. He bloops the ball off the handle right toward shortstop. But wait! Where is Derek Jeter the Yankee shortstop? He is playing way in for a play at the plate. He turns to go back. He can’t get it! BASE HIT!!! Bell scores from third! The Diamondbacks win!”

“Wow what a finish,” Michael said as Grandpa Gordy finally sat down. He was completely out of breath.

“Well, I guess that poor Mr. Kim who allowed the Yankees to come back in those other games doesn’t have to feel bad anymore,” Jessica said.

“Well, you’re right little one,” Grandpa Gordy said. “And that was the first ever World Series Championship for the Arizona Diamondbacks as they beat the mighty Yankees 3-2 and won the series four games to three. So that’s all for tonight little ones. Good night and sweet dreams.”

It will be interesting to see if the 2023 World Series can match the excitement of 2001. We will soon see.

Check out more of my book Grandpa Gordy’s Greatest World Series Games at your local bookstore or on Amazon.