azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Dennis Wagner
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 7, 2005 12:00 AM
For six years it was an Arizona fan's recurring dream: Randy Johnson on the mound, leaning toward home plate, scowling, shaking off a sign, winding up, unleashing 97 mph of rawhide heat.
Suddenly, that vision is gone.
The Big Unit, arguably the greatest professional athlete ever to play in Arizona, is moving. Along with the four Cy Young awards won here and his perfect game, he is packing memories of the state's only major sports championship.
It's the modern business of baseball: Blink and a World Series team is gone. The Diamondbacks of 2001 have moved on, except for outfielder Luis Gonzalez. (Infielder Craig Counsell was gone, but returned from Milwaukee this year. New manager Bob Melvin, the 2001 bench coach, also is back.)
Johnson's departure to New York is not the end of a baseball era, because the Diamondbacks never had a dynasty.
But it nearly closes the door on an achievement that cannot be ripped from record books, or from fans: a World Series championship in a tumultuous time.
Roger Kahn, author of Boys of Summer and other baseball histories, said the 6-foot-10 Johnson loomed over it all - physically and symbolically: "He's so huge, and he's got that ravenlike face. He was just the embodiment of that team."
Johnson came to the Diamondbacks from Houston before the 1999 season, known for a nasty disposition and an even nastier slider. He cast the ugliest glare in baseball, and some of the best hitters in the game took the day off when he was on the mound. He rewrote the record book on strikeouts for a lefty. All of that will be recorded in Cooperstown.
But baseball is about winning (oh, yeah, and sportsmanship, and money, yada-yada), so there is only one legacy that really counts: the fall of 2001.
Arizona was the youngest franchise in baseball history to make the Big Show, facing the Yankees, the most storied team in sports.
Seven games were played in shadows of Sept. 11 terrorism.
Here's how 62-year-old Gary Hoffman of Gilbert remembers it: "Randy Johnson was one of the most fantastic pitchers of all time. He really brought the excitement of baseball to this town. He came along at the perfect time. It was almost like a fairy tale for the D-Backs."
In 2001, a team discovered the mysterious dugout chemistry that produced ninth-inning heroics. But a shaggy-haired southpaw wearing No. 51 was its backbone. Naysayers also groused that the new franchise was trying to buy a championship, trading with Philadelphia for Curt Schilling and his steep salary.
Former Managing General Partner Jerry Colangelo recalls the strategy that developed after a fledgling Diamondbacks franchise lost season ticket sales in the inaugural season. "We felt we had to compete right now. If we could land Randy Johnson, that was going to be our anchor. The four-year plan resulted in three division titles and a World Series. Randy has been an icon for this franchise."
He's not what you would call loveable. There's no fan club in his name.
Ask 13-year-old Josue Mojica of Phoenix his favorite player and he says Gonzalez. But ask him who was the most important guy in the 2001 World Series and there's no hesitation: "Randy Johnson. He pitches good."
The Yankees discovered that in a Series that went down as one of the most dramatic in baseball lore. Images flutter back:
• Schilling wins Game 1, followed the next day by a Johnson shutout.
• In Game 4, Diamondbacks reliever Byung-Hyun Kim gives up a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and a game winner in the tenth.
• After blowing another ninth-inning lead in Game 5, Kim doubles over in misery - joined by a few million Arizona fans at home in front of TV sets.
• Johnson starts a do-or-die Game 6 and wins easily, bolstered by a 15-run onslaught from Arizona bats.
It came down to Game 7. Schilling pitched another masterpiece, only to have an Alfonso Soriano homer put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the eighth.
The Diamondbacks couldn't afford to fall further behind. Manager Bob Brenly looked into his beleaguered bullpen. Kim definitely was not an option.
Johnson had said he could go even though he had pitched seven innings the night before, and Brenly beckoned.
Johnson shut down the New York bats one more time.
With three outs left, Arizona faced invincible Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
Virtually everyone outside Bank One Ballpark figured the upstart Diamondbacks had as much chance of winning as, well, the Red Sox.
But after a Mark Grace single, Rivera fielded a sacrifice bunt and threw the ball into center field - unleashing a frenzy of purple hope.
Tony Womack slugged a double to tie the score and put runners at second and third. Counsell then was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Then came the moment kids fantasize about: Game 7, bases loaded, ninth inning, tie score, No. 3 hitter Gonzalez at the plate. The bloop single wasn't Ruthian, but it brought the game winner across home plate.
In neighborhoods across the state, fans raced outside banging on kitchen pans and screaming in delight.
Johnson finished with three World Series wins, a 5-1 record for the postseason with a 1.52 ERA and 47 strikeouts. He shared series MVP honors with Schilling.
Three years later, players with 2001 rings are scarce. The manager is long gone. So is the chief executive. And the chemistry. Last year, Arizona lost a record 111 games and looked dreadful. Yet Johnson set more records, and threw a perfect game.
Diamondbacks ownership is picking up new talent now. True believers have hopes for 2005.
A new season begins.
But no one on the mound at Bank One Ballpark will ever look as imposing as Johnson on the rubber, leaning in, scowling, going into the windup. . . .
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or (602) 444-8874.
Voices
Opinions from players, management and writers on the Randy Johnson trade to the Yankees
"Randy never took shortcuts between starts, when he would be in the weight room or throwing his side sessions. He took everything seriously. That's how I looked up to him."
- Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks pitcher
"It was a joy and was exciting to see Randy pitch. Watching him was a learning experience for the young guys. I hate to see him go, but he wants another shot (at a World Series). Hopefully this will work out for us as well with the players we're getting."
- Mike Koplove, Diamondbacks pitcher
"The Yankees are about to pay a 41-year-old baseball pitcher $57 million over the next three years - that's factoring in the $9 million they had to pay to get rid of (Javier) Vazquez - and (they) will be shocked, shocked I tell you, if the Big Unit goes down with some big injury. Or just gets old on them. (It's been) 70 days and about $125M more spent by the Yankees since the Red Sox last won a World Series. And if the Yanks sign Carlos Beltran, make that $225M."
- Mike Lupica, New York Daily News
"(When it appeared the Johnson deal was completed Dec. 30), the first impulse was to laugh and ponder how the clock struck midnight one night early for the Boston Red Sox, not to mention the rest of major league baseball. Is it too late to change that ball they'll drop in Times Square and give it some red, cross-stitched seams? All of a sudden, New York is the baseball capital of the universe again."
- Johnette Howard, Newsday
"This is what happens when the Yankees don't win the World Series for four consecutive years. Losing breeds big eyes and bigger paychecks for other players. (George) Steinbrenner's soldiers are ordered to find superstars who will enhance the team's chances of getting to and winning the World Series. Damn the dollars, full speed ahead."
- Murray Chass, New York Times
"The Yankees are in a financial league of their own despite people occasionally trying to lump us with them. They are in a financial league of their own in the largest sports market in the world."
- Larry Lucchino, Red Sox president
"It will make 2005 a fun season,"
- Lucchino, on how Johnson and Curt Schilling will affect the AL East.
"Johnson obviously comes with great risk at age 41 with a suspect knee and a boorish makeup. But the Yanks are the now team of all time. In 2004, Johnson was one of the majors' five best starters. The Yankees had no one in the top 20."
- Joel Sherman, New York Post
"Bud Selig approved the Yankees-Diamondbacks trade . . . invoking the 'best interests of the Yankees' clause, the oft-used rider to the commissioner's 'best interests of baseball' powers. (Selig said) Basically it came down to one thing - are the Yankees better off having the most dominant pitcher in all of baseball or not? The answer was clear to me, and that was 'yes.' Selig has invoked the 'best interests of the Yankees' clause several times during his tenure."
- From a fictional account by sportspickle.com
Here and Gone
Where did the key players go? Here's a look at the dismantling of the 2001 world championship Diamondbacks team.
Pitchers
Randy Johnson: agreed to trade to Yankees this week for Javier Vazquez and two other players.
Curt Schilling: traded to Red Sox in 2003 for Casey Fossum and three other players.
Byung-Hyun Kim: traded to Red Sox in 2003 for Shea Hillenbrand.
Brian Anderson: signed with Indians as a free agent after 2002 season.
Miguel Batista: signed free-agent contract with Blue Jays following 2003 season.
Infielders/catchers
Craig Counsell: traded to Brewers in 2003 in Richie Sexson deal (re-signed by Diamondbacks last month).
Tony Womack: traded to Rockies in 2003 for minor league pitcher.
Matt Williams: retired in 2003.
Jay Bell: signed with Mets as free agent in 2003.
Erubiel Durazo: traded to A's in 2003 in four-team deal.
Mark Grace: retired after 2003 season.
Damian Miller: traded to Cubs in 2002 for two minor leaguers.
Outfielders
Luis Gonzalez: still with Diamondbacks.
Danny Bautista: free agent after 2004 season.
Steve Finley: traded to Dodgers in multi-player deal in 2004.
Reggie Sanders: signed as a free agent by Giants in 2002.
Source: Major League Baseball player data (www.mlb.com)
Breaking it down
Unlike last winter's Curt Schilling trade to Boston, the Diamondbacks are trying to fortify their organization as well as gain money with the trade of five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson to the New York Yankees for three players and $9 million. The following is a look at the players acquired for Johnson:
JAVIER VAZQUEZ
Strengths: Vazquez enjoyed his best years in the National League, where he posted a 3.24 ERA in 2003 with Montreal. He is a polished pitcher with a sinking 93-mph fastball, slider and change-up. He was a workhorse with Montreal, throwing 217 2/3 innings or more for four consecutive seasons (2000-03).
Weaknesses: Scouts noticed that Vazquez's arm slot and velocity dropped noticeably during his second half with the Yankees, and he posted a 5.92 ERA after the all-star break.
BRAD HALSEY
Strengths: Control is Halsey's forte, and he walked only 36 in 175 innings in winning 17 games for Class A Tampa and Double-A Trenton in 2003. Halsey relies on a slider to set up hitters. Halsey pitched 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball before a Dodger Stadium sellout crowd and national television audience to beat Los Angeles 5-2 in his major league debut last June.
Weaknesses: Halsey doesn't throw hard, so he must rely on his control and his defense. Major league batters hit .306 against him.
DIONER NAVARRO
Strengths: Navarro has played four pro seasons, but he doesn't turn 21 until next month. He possesses the nickname "Pudgito" because of his resemblance to All-Star Pudge Rodriguez in his defensive skills and stocky build. Navarro is a switch-hitter who can hit to all fields.
Weaknesses: Although ranked as the Yankees' fifth-best prospect by Baseball America, Navarro's conditioning has been questioned. He also hit only four home runs in 391 at-bats in the minors last season. He still needs seasoning behind the plate.His future is in question because he was expected to move to Los Angeles as part of a trade for Shawn Green, and the organization is high on prospects Koyie Hill and Chris Snyder.
- Mark Gonzales
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0107traderandy0107.html
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 7, 2005 12:00 AM
For six years it was an Arizona fan's recurring dream: Randy Johnson on the mound, leaning toward home plate, scowling, shaking off a sign, winding up, unleashing 97 mph of rawhide heat.
Suddenly, that vision is gone.
The Big Unit, arguably the greatest professional athlete ever to play in Arizona, is moving. Along with the four Cy Young awards won here and his perfect game, he is packing memories of the state's only major sports championship.
It's the modern business of baseball: Blink and a World Series team is gone. The Diamondbacks of 2001 have moved on, except for outfielder Luis Gonzalez. (Infielder Craig Counsell was gone, but returned from Milwaukee this year. New manager Bob Melvin, the 2001 bench coach, also is back.)
Johnson's departure to New York is not the end of a baseball era, because the Diamondbacks never had a dynasty.
But it nearly closes the door on an achievement that cannot be ripped from record books, or from fans: a World Series championship in a tumultuous time.
Roger Kahn, author of Boys of Summer and other baseball histories, said the 6-foot-10 Johnson loomed over it all - physically and symbolically: "He's so huge, and he's got that ravenlike face. He was just the embodiment of that team."
Johnson came to the Diamondbacks from Houston before the 1999 season, known for a nasty disposition and an even nastier slider. He cast the ugliest glare in baseball, and some of the best hitters in the game took the day off when he was on the mound. He rewrote the record book on strikeouts for a lefty. All of that will be recorded in Cooperstown.
But baseball is about winning (oh, yeah, and sportsmanship, and money, yada-yada), so there is only one legacy that really counts: the fall of 2001.
Arizona was the youngest franchise in baseball history to make the Big Show, facing the Yankees, the most storied team in sports.
Seven games were played in shadows of Sept. 11 terrorism.
Here's how 62-year-old Gary Hoffman of Gilbert remembers it: "Randy Johnson was one of the most fantastic pitchers of all time. He really brought the excitement of baseball to this town. He came along at the perfect time. It was almost like a fairy tale for the D-Backs."
In 2001, a team discovered the mysterious dugout chemistry that produced ninth-inning heroics. But a shaggy-haired southpaw wearing No. 51 was its backbone. Naysayers also groused that the new franchise was trying to buy a championship, trading with Philadelphia for Curt Schilling and his steep salary.
Former Managing General Partner Jerry Colangelo recalls the strategy that developed after a fledgling Diamondbacks franchise lost season ticket sales in the inaugural season. "We felt we had to compete right now. If we could land Randy Johnson, that was going to be our anchor. The four-year plan resulted in three division titles and a World Series. Randy has been an icon for this franchise."
He's not what you would call loveable. There's no fan club in his name.
Ask 13-year-old Josue Mojica of Phoenix his favorite player and he says Gonzalez. But ask him who was the most important guy in the 2001 World Series and there's no hesitation: "Randy Johnson. He pitches good."
The Yankees discovered that in a Series that went down as one of the most dramatic in baseball lore. Images flutter back:
• Schilling wins Game 1, followed the next day by a Johnson shutout.
• In Game 4, Diamondbacks reliever Byung-Hyun Kim gives up a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and a game winner in the tenth.
• After blowing another ninth-inning lead in Game 5, Kim doubles over in misery - joined by a few million Arizona fans at home in front of TV sets.
• Johnson starts a do-or-die Game 6 and wins easily, bolstered by a 15-run onslaught from Arizona bats.
It came down to Game 7. Schilling pitched another masterpiece, only to have an Alfonso Soriano homer put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the eighth.
The Diamondbacks couldn't afford to fall further behind. Manager Bob Brenly looked into his beleaguered bullpen. Kim definitely was not an option.
Johnson had said he could go even though he had pitched seven innings the night before, and Brenly beckoned.
Johnson shut down the New York bats one more time.
With three outs left, Arizona faced invincible Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
Virtually everyone outside Bank One Ballpark figured the upstart Diamondbacks had as much chance of winning as, well, the Red Sox.
But after a Mark Grace single, Rivera fielded a sacrifice bunt and threw the ball into center field - unleashing a frenzy of purple hope.
Tony Womack slugged a double to tie the score and put runners at second and third. Counsell then was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Then came the moment kids fantasize about: Game 7, bases loaded, ninth inning, tie score, No. 3 hitter Gonzalez at the plate. The bloop single wasn't Ruthian, but it brought the game winner across home plate.
In neighborhoods across the state, fans raced outside banging on kitchen pans and screaming in delight.
Johnson finished with three World Series wins, a 5-1 record for the postseason with a 1.52 ERA and 47 strikeouts. He shared series MVP honors with Schilling.
Three years later, players with 2001 rings are scarce. The manager is long gone. So is the chief executive. And the chemistry. Last year, Arizona lost a record 111 games and looked dreadful. Yet Johnson set more records, and threw a perfect game.
Diamondbacks ownership is picking up new talent now. True believers have hopes for 2005.
A new season begins.
But no one on the mound at Bank One Ballpark will ever look as imposing as Johnson on the rubber, leaning in, scowling, going into the windup. . . .
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or (602) 444-8874.
Voices
Opinions from players, management and writers on the Randy Johnson trade to the Yankees
"Randy never took shortcuts between starts, when he would be in the weight room or throwing his side sessions. He took everything seriously. That's how I looked up to him."
- Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks pitcher
"It was a joy and was exciting to see Randy pitch. Watching him was a learning experience for the young guys. I hate to see him go, but he wants another shot (at a World Series). Hopefully this will work out for us as well with the players we're getting."
- Mike Koplove, Diamondbacks pitcher
"The Yankees are about to pay a 41-year-old baseball pitcher $57 million over the next three years - that's factoring in the $9 million they had to pay to get rid of (Javier) Vazquez - and (they) will be shocked, shocked I tell you, if the Big Unit goes down with some big injury. Or just gets old on them. (It's been) 70 days and about $125M more spent by the Yankees since the Red Sox last won a World Series. And if the Yanks sign Carlos Beltran, make that $225M."
- Mike Lupica, New York Daily News
"(When it appeared the Johnson deal was completed Dec. 30), the first impulse was to laugh and ponder how the clock struck midnight one night early for the Boston Red Sox, not to mention the rest of major league baseball. Is it too late to change that ball they'll drop in Times Square and give it some red, cross-stitched seams? All of a sudden, New York is the baseball capital of the universe again."
- Johnette Howard, Newsday
"This is what happens when the Yankees don't win the World Series for four consecutive years. Losing breeds big eyes and bigger paychecks for other players. (George) Steinbrenner's soldiers are ordered to find superstars who will enhance the team's chances of getting to and winning the World Series. Damn the dollars, full speed ahead."
- Murray Chass, New York Times
"The Yankees are in a financial league of their own despite people occasionally trying to lump us with them. They are in a financial league of their own in the largest sports market in the world."
- Larry Lucchino, Red Sox president
"It will make 2005 a fun season,"
- Lucchino, on how Johnson and Curt Schilling will affect the AL East.
"Johnson obviously comes with great risk at age 41 with a suspect knee and a boorish makeup. But the Yanks are the now team of all time. In 2004, Johnson was one of the majors' five best starters. The Yankees had no one in the top 20."
- Joel Sherman, New York Post
"Bud Selig approved the Yankees-Diamondbacks trade . . . invoking the 'best interests of the Yankees' clause, the oft-used rider to the commissioner's 'best interests of baseball' powers. (Selig said) Basically it came down to one thing - are the Yankees better off having the most dominant pitcher in all of baseball or not? The answer was clear to me, and that was 'yes.' Selig has invoked the 'best interests of the Yankees' clause several times during his tenure."
- From a fictional account by sportspickle.com
Here and Gone
Where did the key players go? Here's a look at the dismantling of the 2001 world championship Diamondbacks team.
Pitchers
Randy Johnson: agreed to trade to Yankees this week for Javier Vazquez and two other players.
Curt Schilling: traded to Red Sox in 2003 for Casey Fossum and three other players.
Byung-Hyun Kim: traded to Red Sox in 2003 for Shea Hillenbrand.
Brian Anderson: signed with Indians as a free agent after 2002 season.
Miguel Batista: signed free-agent contract with Blue Jays following 2003 season.
Infielders/catchers
Craig Counsell: traded to Brewers in 2003 in Richie Sexson deal (re-signed by Diamondbacks last month).
Tony Womack: traded to Rockies in 2003 for minor league pitcher.
Matt Williams: retired in 2003.
Jay Bell: signed with Mets as free agent in 2003.
Erubiel Durazo: traded to A's in 2003 in four-team deal.
Mark Grace: retired after 2003 season.
Damian Miller: traded to Cubs in 2002 for two minor leaguers.
Outfielders
Luis Gonzalez: still with Diamondbacks.
Danny Bautista: free agent after 2004 season.
Steve Finley: traded to Dodgers in multi-player deal in 2004.
Reggie Sanders: signed as a free agent by Giants in 2002.
Source: Major League Baseball player data (www.mlb.com)
Breaking it down
Unlike last winter's Curt Schilling trade to Boston, the Diamondbacks are trying to fortify their organization as well as gain money with the trade of five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson to the New York Yankees for three players and $9 million. The following is a look at the players acquired for Johnson:
JAVIER VAZQUEZ
Strengths: Vazquez enjoyed his best years in the National League, where he posted a 3.24 ERA in 2003 with Montreal. He is a polished pitcher with a sinking 93-mph fastball, slider and change-up. He was a workhorse with Montreal, throwing 217 2/3 innings or more for four consecutive seasons (2000-03).
Weaknesses: Scouts noticed that Vazquez's arm slot and velocity dropped noticeably during his second half with the Yankees, and he posted a 5.92 ERA after the all-star break.
BRAD HALSEY
Strengths: Control is Halsey's forte, and he walked only 36 in 175 innings in winning 17 games for Class A Tampa and Double-A Trenton in 2003. Halsey relies on a slider to set up hitters. Halsey pitched 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball before a Dodger Stadium sellout crowd and national television audience to beat Los Angeles 5-2 in his major league debut last June.
Weaknesses: Halsey doesn't throw hard, so he must rely on his control and his defense. Major league batters hit .306 against him.
DIONER NAVARRO
Strengths: Navarro has played four pro seasons, but he doesn't turn 21 until next month. He possesses the nickname "Pudgito" because of his resemblance to All-Star Pudge Rodriguez in his defensive skills and stocky build. Navarro is a switch-hitter who can hit to all fields.
Weaknesses: Although ranked as the Yankees' fifth-best prospect by Baseball America, Navarro's conditioning has been questioned. He also hit only four home runs in 391 at-bats in the minors last season. He still needs seasoning behind the plate.His future is in question because he was expected to move to Los Angeles as part of a trade for Shawn Green, and the organization is high on prospects Koyie Hill and Chris Snyder.
- Mark Gonzales
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0107traderandy0107.html
