2005 Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks, a 1998 National League expansion team, stunned the world of Major League Baseball by winning the West Division title in 1999, an unheard-of feat for a second-year team. Further incredible success followed, including the thrilling 2001 World Series victory over the New York Yankees, but that first glow of triumph has given way to Arizona's weakest team to date, which lost 111 games in 2004. The roster has undergone a shakeup, with pitcher Randy Johnson departing and outfielder Shawn Green The tickets are still flying out of the box office, because the Arizona Diamondbacks are a quality organization with magnificent facilities.

With so many Major League Baseball teams playing in Arizona for spring training, it was finally time for the baseball-hungry citizens of Phoenix to get a chance to follow a team all season. The long wait for a Major League team was worthwhile, as the Diamondbacks have been perennial contenders in the National League West. Their most successful year was 2001, when they beat the New York Yankees to win an exciting World Series in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7. The memory of Luis González blooping a single over Derek Jeter's head to score Jay Bell for the Series victory will replay itself over and over in the minds of Diamondbacks fans.

The manager of that team was former catcher and broadcaster Bob Brenly who, in his first year, led the Diamondbacks to the World Series. The backbone 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 left-handed slugger Luis González. He had a breakout year in 2001, finishing the season with 57 home runs.

The Arizona Diamondbacks play in beautiful Chase Field, formerly named 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.

Chase Field 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 Chase Field will take guests to either of the upper levels. Tickets to baseball games at Chase Field are priced in 17 different groups, which allows one to find tickets in the price range or section that fits his needs.

If you're in Phoenix, you 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.