The Arizona Diamondbacks History highlights one of MLB’s fastest-rising franchises. Established in 1998, the team quickly gained success by winning the 2001 World Series. Over the years, the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball story has featured standout players, thrilling seasons, and memorable achievements that shaped their reputation as a competitive force in Major League Baseball.
Established
1998
City
Phoenix
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1998 – 1999 / National League
Team History
1998 – Present / Arizona Diamondbacks
Nickname
Diamondbacks – The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the most beloved teams in Major League Baseball, and their nickname has a unique origin story. The team was founded in 1998 as an expansion franchise, with the name being chosen to reflect both Arizona’s climate and its status as a western state.
The expansion franchise’s ownership group asked fans to vote from among a list of nicknames that included Coyotes, Diamondbacks, Phoenix, Rattlers, and Scorpions. A Diamondback, specifically Crotalus atrox, is a rattlesnake which is a very common sight in the Arizona desert and a fearsome symbol. A baseball field is also called a “diamond”. Owner Jerry Colangelo, really liked the idea of the club having a nickname with a bite to it.
Arizona Diamondbacks Origin
The “Diamondbacks” moniker is derived from two sources: firstly, it pays homage to the rattlesnake that is native to many parts of Arizona - particularly those areas near Tucson where much of the original fan base hailed from; secondly, it also references baseball itself – specifically how diamonds form part of every major league diamond-shaped field. Furthermore this particular species (the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake) can be found on certain pieces of official merchandise worn by players during games or used for promotional activities such as bobblehead giveaways! This creates an even stronger connection between fans and their favorite team's identity - making them feel more connected than ever before!
Beyond just being symbolic though there are some practical reasons why this nickname works well too – namely because it rolls off easily when spoken aloud which makes for better radio broadcasts etcetera… Additionally since snakes have long been associated with danger they evoke feelings that could potentially rally support behind any given cause/team (in this case our beloved D-Backs!). Ultimately then we can see why choosing such an iconic title was so important not only aesthetically but practically speaking too!
Championship
World Series 1
2001
Stadium
2005 – Present / Chase Field
1998 – 2005 / Bank One Ballpark
Owner
2005 – Present / Ken Kendrick
1998 – 2005 / Jerry Colangelo
- 1998
- 1998
- 2001
- 2004
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Arizona Diamondbacks Team Formation
In the fall of 1993, Jerry Colangelo, the majority owner of the Phoenix Suns, the area’s NBA franchise, announced he was assembling an ownership group, “Arizona Baseball, Inc.”, to apply for a Major League Baseball expansion team. This was after a great deal of lobbying by the Maricopa County Sports Authority, a local group formed to preserve Cactus League spring ... -
Chase Field
Chase Field is a stadium located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, and is the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. It opened in 1998, in time for the Diamondbacks’ first game as an expansion team. Chase Field was the first stadium built in the United States with a retractable roof over a natural-grass playing surface. The park was ... -
World Series Winner 2001
In 2001, the team was led by two of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball: Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. Arizona had postseason victories over the St. Louis Cardinals (3 – 2 in the NLDS) and the Atlanta Braves (4 – 1 in the NLCS) to advance to the World Series where, in the wake of the September ... -
Colangelo Sells to Kendrick
By this time Colangelo and the other partners were embroiled in a dispute over the financial health and direction of the Diamondbacks and notably including over $150 million in deferred compensation to many players who were key members of the 2001 World Series-winning team and others. Colangelo’s willingness to go into debt and acquire players through free agency had led ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Arizona Diamondbacks History
The Arizona Diamondbacks History began when the team joined Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise in 1998, playing home games at what is now Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Under the leadership of owner Jerry Colangelo, the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team was built with a mix of veteran stars and promising young players, creating a competitive roster almost immediately.
During their second season in 1999, the Arizona Diamondbacks history reached an early milestone when they won 100 games and captured their first National League West Division title. Managed by Buck Showalter, the team stunned the baseball world with their rapid ascent, proving that expansion teams could become contenders quickly with the right leadership and roster.
In 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball club achieved its crowning moment by winning the World Series in only their fourth season. Under manager Bob Brenly and anchored by Hall of Fame pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, they defeated the three-time defending champion New York Yankees in a thrilling seven-game series. This victory made them the fastest expansion team in MLB history to win a championship and remains a defining moment in the Arizona Diamondbacks history.
After their championship run, the team secured another division title in 2002 but struggled to maintain that level of success in the following years. They experienced a rebuild period before returning to contention under manager Kirk Gibson in 2011, when they again won the NL West and reached the postseason. The Arizona Diamondbacks baseball journey continued with standout players such as Paul Goldschmidt, Patrick Corbin, Zack Greinke, and A. J. Pollock keeping the team competitive.
Diamondbacks Achievements
More recently, the Arizona Diamondbacks history added another remarkable chapter during the 2023 season. Nicknamed the “Answerbacks,” the team clinched a Wild Card spot and surged through the postseason, sweeping the Brewers and Dodgers before defeating the Phillies to win the National League pennant. Although they fell to the Texas Rangers in the World Series, this run showcased their resilience and ability to compete on baseball’s biggest stage once again.
The achievements of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball franchise are significant for such a young team. They have won five National League West Division titles (1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, and 2011), earned multiple Wild Card berths, and captured two National League pennants (2001 and 2023). Their 2001 World Series championship remains one of the most dramatic victories in MLB history, cementing their reputation as one of the league’s most successful modern-era expansion teams.
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Revealing the Untold Arizona Diamondbacks Team History!
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Retired Number
20 / Luis Gonzalez
42 / Jackie Robinson
51 / Randy Johnson
*Blue is this team’s history
