First Chuck: 2:15 PM (new anthem each week!)
The Tube: NBCSN/Peacock
The Dial: Treasure Island Baseball Network
Spies ‘R Us: AZ Snake Pit
Hello from Chase Field in Phoenix! As I take in this weekend series in the desert, let me set up the final contest with my stream-of-consciousness thoughts on this uncommon Minnesota Twins opponent (I’m sure I’ll have more informed opinions when I return!):
The Arizona Diamondbacks were an expansion club in the 1998 season. After struggling (65-97) that inaugural year like so many new clubs do, they immediately jumped to 100-62 in 1999, reaching the NLCS before losing to the Subway Series-bound New York Mets. Having four sluggers (Jay Bell, Matt Williams, Luis Gonzalez, & Steve Finley) eclipse 25 homers and seeing pitching staff ace Randy Johnson post a 9.1 WAR campaign (17-9, 2.48 ERA, 12 CG, 271.2 IP, 184 ERA+, 1.02 WHIP) were the primary drivers of such a quick turnaround.
They got over the hump in 2001 by pairing the Big Unit (10.1 WAR) with Curt Schilling (8.8 WAR) and riding those dual horses to the World Series. My personal story about that Fall Classic is driving back from a weekend of deer hunting in Bemidji, MN the night of Game 7. Despite arriving dog-tired from days of tromping through the woods, I had to stay up to see the season’s conclusion. I’m glad I did—it was a doozy…
After another wonderful (98-64) season in ‘02 that saw them swept out of the ALDS by the WS-bound San Francisco Giants, the D-Backs wandered the proverbial (perhaps literal, in this case) desert for the next two decades. They’d pop up every once in awhile with a solid campaign but never make it deep into October.
Twins fans may recall Jason Kubel crushing 30 bombs for the Snakes in ‘12 (see header image) or Eduardo Escobar jacking 35 taters for AZ in ‘19.
But personally, despite a fantasy baseball affinity for their notable masher Paul Goldschmidt, I can’t say I followed the Diamondbacks too closely those years.
Somewhat inexplicably considering their pedestrian 84-78 record and final NL Wild Card berth in 2023, Arizona swept the Brew Crew in the WC Round, swept division-rival LA in the NLDS, and nipped Philly in a 7-game NLCS to advance to the World Series. Despite two-stepping out of Texas at 1-1, the D-Backs were then swept at Chase Field by the Rangers.
Arizona hasn’t been back to the playoffs since, though they are certainly in the mix so far in 2026.
Like I said, I’m sure I’ll have more stories/pics when I return to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. But for now, let’s hope I’m able to cheer for a visitor victory before they return home to duke it out with the Los Angeles Dodgers (yikes).
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