Looking Back At the D-backs’ 2001 World Series Run

It took 22 years, but the Arizona Diamondbacks are back in the World Series. 

It’s hard not to think back to 2001. In addition to the usual connections you can make to championship-level teams, crazy coincidences are linked between these two clubs. Each game of this year’s series will be the exact 22-year anniversary of the 2001 series. President George W. Bush, who threw out the first pitch before Game 3 in 2001 will throw out the first pitch of Game 1 of this World Series. 

It was a different league and a different world back then. If you want your World Series fix before the 2023 squad tries be the next championship team, let’s revisit a series of interviews I did for the 20th anniversary of the 2001 World Series. 

On the 20th anniversary of each game, we revisited that particular night with someone who was not involved with the game but had a a front-row seat to the action on that day. 

Game 1 – Diamondbacks Public Address Announcer Jeff Munn

For Game 1, former public address announcer and long-time journalist Jeff Munn joins Sports360AZ to explain the atmosphere of the 9-1 D-backs victory, how the teams honored those who had lost their lives in September 11 and the mystique that the Yankees brought to Bank One Ballpark. 

Game 2 – Diamondback Scout & Son of Matt Williams – Jake Williams

For Game 2, current Diamondbacks scout Jake Williams remembers being a “very rambunctious 10 year old” watching his dad, Matt Williams, hit a game-sealing home run in Game 2. The younger Williams also remembers learning first base from Mark Grace and hanging on every pitch of the 2001 World Series.

Game 3 – Yankees Catcher Todd Greene

For Game 3, former Yankees catcher Todd Greene, who currently works for the Arizona Diamondbacks, remembers catching George W. Bush’s infamous first pitch at Yankee Stadium. He explains the Yankees’ mind set going into Game 3, how that World Series helped heal the nation and how he ended up catching history. 

Game 4 – Long-time Yankees Broadcaster Michael Kay

For Game 4, long-time Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay describes the Bronx Bombers’ comeback, Derek Jeter’s infamous walk-off home run and who coined the term “Mr. November.” 

Game 5 – Fox Sports Arizona Reporter Todd Walsh

For Game 5, Bally Sports Arizona’s Todd Walsh remembers traveling to New York and visiting Ground Zero. He also revisits the back-to-back walk-off wins the Yankees had to take the series lead, Miguel Batista’s all-but-forgotten gem of a start in the World Series and how the Diamondbacks did not let those tough losses break their spirit heading back to Phoenix.

Game 6 –  ESPN Reporter T.J. Quinn

For Game 6, the Arizona Diamondbacks finally broke through and dominated the Yankees 15-2. Not much happened after an explosive third inning for the Snakes, but it was very eventful in the hours after the final pitch had been thrown.

Long-time ESPN reporter Pedro Gomez, who was a columnist at the time with the Arizona Republic, wrote a column about the D-backs’ Game 7 starter Curt Schilling that would not be well-received by some. 

Pedro passed away last February, and his long-time friend and ESPN reporter T.J. Quinn recalled that column and the reaction to it in “Remember Who You Are: What Pedro Gomez Showed Us About Baseball and Life.” He shares that story with us on the 20th anniversary of Game 6.

Profits from the book support the Pedro Gomez Foundation for the Gomez family to honor Pedro’s legacy in sports journalism.

Game 7 – The Godfather of Arizona Sports Jerry Colangelo

For Game 7, the architect of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Godfather of Arizona Sports Jerry Colangelo joins us. He discusses why he felt an urgency to acquire notable veterans early on in the franchise’s history and what the impact of the World Series win did for the state.