2003 Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are a relatively new baseball team first coming into the Major Leagues in 1998, but unlike their expansion counterparts, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, they have had great success in a short period of time. Throughout almost their entire history they have been a contender in the National League West, winning in both 1999 and 2001. The Diamondbacks' most successful year was in 2001 when they beat the storied New York Yankees to win perhaps the most exciting World Series ever in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7 to win the Major League Baseball Championship.

The manager of that team was former catcher and broadcaster Bob Brenly who, in his first year, won the World Series. The back bone of that Diamondbacks team was the strong pitching of Curt Schilling and five time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson. The main hitting star of the Diamondbacks was and still is left-handed slugger Luis González. He had a breakout year in 2001 including winning the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game and finishing the season with 57 home runs.

The Arizona Diamondbacks play in beautiful Bank One Ball Park (the BOB) which is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The ballpark first opened in 1998 and is known for the pool located in right center field as well as its retractable roof. The roof allows fans going to the game to enjoy the weather on a nice spring day, but avoid the desert summer heat.

Bank One Ballpark is a baseball-only facility, and therefore its sight lines are second to no other facility. More than 80 percent of the seats are inside the foul poles, and there is no upper deck around the outfield. The BOB has an Infiniti Diamond Level concourse that is designed to serve as a continuous lounge and dining area servicing approximately 4,400 club seats. Above those seats are 69 private luxury suites designed to offer the utmost in comfort and catering. One floor up from the suite level, the upper concourse will seat approximately 20,000 fans. Escalators on the west side of Bank One Ballpark will take guests to either of the upper levels. Tickets to baseball games at Bank One Ballpark are priced in 17 different groups, which allows one to find tickets in the price range or section that fits his needs.

If in Phoenix, one can also go see other sporting events. The Phoenix Suns of the NBA and the Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL both play in America West Arena. The Arizona Cardinals of the NFL play in Tempe, which is just a short drive from Phoenix. They play in Sun Devil Stadium, home of the Arizona State Sun Devils, and also the Fiesta Bowl, a member of the Bowl Championship Series.

The Arizona Diamondbacks look to be a serious contender against teams such as the Dodgers and Giants in the NL west for years to come. They will be led into the future by manager, Bob Brenly as well as veteran pitcher, Randy Johnson, young pitcher Brandon Webb, veteran left fielder Luis González, and new slugging first baseman Richie Sexson, and veteran infielder Roberto Alomar.