The 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, in their fourth year of existence, looked to improve on their 2000 season. They had to contend in what was a strong National League West Division. Arizona had the best one-two pitching combination in the majors: Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson, who combined for 43 victories. Outfielder Luis Gonzalez slugged 57 home runs. They finished the regular season with a record of 92-70, which was good enough for the division title. In the playoffs, they won their NLDS matchup vs. St. Louis on a walk-off hit by Tony Womack. They defeated the Braves in five games in the NLCS. In the World Series, they won a dramatic seven-game series against the New York Yankees on a walk-off hit by Gonzalez, against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. The Arizona Diamondbacks became the fastest expansion franchise in Major League history to win a World Series title in just their fourth season.
The 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks held their 4th Spring training at Tucson Electric Park in Tucson, Arizona.
Regular season
Randy Johnson recorded 20 strikeouts in nine innings against the Cincinnati Reds on May 8, 2001. Johnson shares the record with Roger Clemens, Kerry Wood, and most recently Max Scherzer.
On July 19, 2001, Johnson set another record when the previous night's game against the San Diego Padres was delayed by two electrical explosions that knocked out a light tower in Qualcomm Stadium. When the game resumed the following day, Johnson replaced original starter Curt Schilling in the top of the third inning. He pitched the next seven innings, and struck out 16 Padres. Johnson set a new record for strikeouts in a relief appearance, a record that was set 88 years previously by Walter Johnson, who struck out 15 batters in 11 innings on July 25, 1913.
Johnson went on to win 20 games for the second time in his career while striking out over 300 hitters for the fourth consecutive year. On October 2, 2001, Randy Johnson earned his 200th career win.
Opening Day starters
Jay Bell
David Dellucci
Steve Finley
Luis Gonzalez
Mark Grace
Damian Miller
Randy Johnson
Matt Williams
Tony Womack
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Notable transactions
June 5, 2001: Dan Uggla was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 11th round of the 2001 amateur draft. Player signed June 6, 2001.
June 5, 2001: Ian Kinsler was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 26th round of the 2001 amateur draft, but did not sign.
Roster
Game log
Notes:
Player stats
Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
-Some 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks radio network games broadcast on alternate flagship station KKLT-FM because of broadcast conflict with the of the and the of the.
