Twenty-five years after the Arizona Diamondbacks captured their first World Series championship, the franchise is bringing its legendary 2001 team back to Chase Field for a weekend-long celebration.
The D-backs’ 25th anniversary celebration began Friday night as Arizona hosted the New York Yankees in the first game of a three-game series. The Yankees defeated the D-backs 9-2, but the weekend’s focus extended beyond the field as Arizona prepared to honor more than 30 former players and coaches from the 2001 championship team.
The celebration began before Friday’s game, when select D-backs alumni joined fans during batting practice. Advantage Members also had the opportunity to attend an autograph session featuring Miguel Batista, Danny Bautista, Jay Bell, Steve Finley, Luis Gonzalez, Randy Johnson, Byung-Hyun Kim, Reggie Sanders, Curt Schilling and Tony Womack.
The D-backs will hold a 2001 World Series Champions Reunion before Saturday’s game, with members of the championship club recognized during a pregame ceremony.
The celebration will include a ceremonial first pitch from 2001 manager Bob Brenly. Jesse McGuire will perform the national anthem, while longtime D-backs broadcaster Greg Schulte returns to the team’s broadcast booth for Friday and Saturday’s games.
The first 25,000 fans attending Saturday’s game will receive a 2001 throwback jersey, with an additional surprise planned for fans entering Chase Field.
Yankees jump ahead early
Former D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt received a warm reception from Arizona fans when he stepped to the plate for his first at-bat as a Yankee at Chase Field.
Goldschmidt walked to begin the game, and the Yankees quickly capitalized against Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez.
After Cody Bellinger’s single advanced Goldschmidt to third, the Yankees loaded the bases. Ben Rice’s walk brought Goldschmidt home to give New York an early 1-0 lead.
The Yankees added another run when Amed Rosario’s elevated fly ball allowed Austin Wells to score. Rice later scored on a wild pitch before George Lombard Jr. delivered a two-run single, putting New York ahead 5-0.
Rodriguez eventually escaped the inning, but it took 45 pitches.
Yankees starter Gerrit Cole retired the D-backs in order in the bottom of the first.
Arizona responded in the second.
Geraldo Perdomo reached base before Corbin Carroll launched a two-run home run to right field, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 5-2.
Rice answered in the third with a solo home run, extending New York’s advantage to 6-2.
Rodriguez settled in after the difficult first inning and worked through the fourth and fifth innings before returning for the sixth.
Lombard hit his second home run of the night in the sixth, a solo shot to left field that put New York ahead 7-2.
Rodriguez’s night ended after 5 1/3 innings. He threw 103 pitches, including 66 strikes, allowing five hits, seven earned runs and four walks while striking out five.
Taylor Clarke replaced Rodriguez and helped Arizona escape the inning with a double play.
New York added two more runs in the seventh. Goldschmidt singled and advanced to second on an error before scoring to make it 8-2. Jones then delivered an RBI to extend the Yankees’ lead to 9-2.
Cole completed six innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out five and giving up one home run. He threw 90 pitches, 62 for strikes.
Arizona threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Nolan Arenado singled and Carroll doubled to left-center field, putting runners on second and third with one out. The D-backs could not bring either runner home.
New York’s bullpen shut down Arizona over the final two innings.
Rice tripled with two outs in the ninth but was stranded at third when Zac Gallen struck out Ryan McMahon to end the top half of the inning.
The D-backs put two runners on in the bottom of the ninth after Perdomo walked and Arenado singled, but Carroll and Eugenio Suárez were unable to extend the game.
New York held on for the 9-2 victory.
Cole improved to 9-9, while Rodriguez fell to 15-7.
Wild-card race
The loss left Arizona in fourth place in the National League wild-card race, 4 1/2 games behind the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.
The D-backs’ postseason position remains increasingly important as the regular season enters its final stretch. Arizona faces elimination from the wild-card race if it falls five games behind.
What’s next
The D-backs and Yankees continue their three-game series Saturday at Chase Field.
Arizona is scheduled to send Brandon Pfaadt to the mound against New York’s Cam Schlittler.
First pitch: 5:10 p.m.
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix ♦︎
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