The 2001 World Series: A Defining Moment in Baseball History

The 2001 World Series stands as one of the most compelling and emotionally charged championships in Major League Baseball history. It featured the Arizona Diamondbacks, an expansion franchise in only its fourth season, against the dynastic New York Yankees, a team that had won three consecutive World Series titles and appeared in four of the previous five. The series not only delivered the Diamondbacks’ first championship but also marked a symbolic turning point in baseball’s competitive landscape. Played in the shadow of the September 11 attacks, the 2001 Fall Classic became a powerful narrative of resilience, drama, and unforgettable performances.

For baseball fans, the series is remembered for its improbable twists: the Yankees’ stunning comebacks in Games 4 and 5, the Diamondbacks’ pitching dominance from Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, and the ultimate walk-off hit by Luis Gonzalez in Game 7. More than just a championship, the Diamondbacks’ victory proved that a well-constructed expansion team could overcome the game’s most storied franchise. This article examines the road to the series, the key games, the impact of 9/11, and the lasting legacy of the 2001 World Series.

The Road to the World Series

Arizona Diamondbacks: From Expansion to Contender

The Diamondbacks entered Major League Baseball in 1998 alongside the Tampa Bay Devil Rays as an expansion franchise. Unlike most teams in their position, Arizona’s management, led by managing general partner Jerry Colangelo, pursued a win-now strategy by acquiring veteran stars through free agency and trades. By 2001, the roster included future Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, as well as key contributors like Luis Gonzalez, Matt Williams, and Steve Finley. The team won the National League West with a 92-70 record, then defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Division Series and the Atlanta Braves in the NL Championship Series. Johnson and Schilling combined for five of the Diamondbacks’ seven postseason wins, establishing a pitching duo rarely matched in playoff history. The bullpen, anchored by closer Byung-hyun Kim and setup man Greg Swindell, provided enough support for the two aces to dominate.

New York Yankees: The Dynasty Continues

The Yankees entered 2001 as three-time defending champions, having won the World Series in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Led by manager Joe Torre, the team featured stars Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, and Jorge Posada. Despite losing key players like David Cone to age and facing Paul O’Neill’s decline, the Yankees still won the American League East with 95 wins. In the playoffs, they swept the Oakland Athletics in the Division Series and defeated the Seattle Mariners, who had tied the major league record with 116 regular-season wins, in five games in the ALCS. The Yankees’ experience and postseason pedigree made them heavy favorites, but the emotional weight of playing in New York after 9/11 added a layer of intensity to their postseason run. The team wore “NYPD” and “FDNY” caps during batting practice to honor first responders.

The 2001 World Series: A Seven-Game Epic

Game 1: Johnson and Schilling Set the Tone

The series opened at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix on October 27, 2001. Curt Schilling took the mound for Arizona against Mike Mussina for New York. Schilling pitched seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out eight. The Diamondbacks jumped on Mussina early, with Luis Gonzalez hitting a two-run homer in the first inning. Arizona added four more runs in the second, chasing Mussina after just 1.1 innings. The final score was 9-1, a statement win that showcased Arizona’s offensive depth behind their ace. Schilling’s dominance foreshadowed the pitching duel to come.

Game 2: Johnson Strikes Out 11

Randy Johnson took the mound in Game 2, facing Yankees starter Andy Pettitte. Johnson allowed only four hits and one run over seven innings while striking out 11. The Diamondbacks won 4-0, with Matt Williams and Steve Finley driving in key runs. The Yankees’ lineup looked lost against Johnson’s slider and fastball, managing just a solo homer from Bernie Williams in the third. Arizona returned to New York with a 2-0 series lead, and the baseball world began to wonder if the Yankees’ dynasty was vulnerable.

Game 3: Yankees Respond at Home

At Yankee Stadium, the atmosphere was electric. The city was still healing from the 9/11 attacks, and the crowd roared when President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch—a strike from the mound. Roger Clemens started for the Yankees and pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out nine. Arizona’s only run came on a solo homer by Matt Williams in the fourth. The Yankees tied the game in the fourth on a Bernie Williams double, then took the lead on a fifth-inning Scott Brosius sacrifice fly. The final score was 2-1, cutting Arizona’s series lead to 2-1. The emotional weight of playing at home in front of a wounded crowd was palpable.

Games 4 and 5: The Yankees’ Storied Comebacks

Game 4 became an instant classic. The Yankees trailed 3-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth, and the Diamondbacks turned to closer Byung-hyun Kim, who had dominated the Yankees in Games 1 and 2. But Kim walked the leadoff batter and then served up a game-tying home run to Tino Martinez. The game went to extra innings. In the top of the tenth, the Diamondbacks took a 4-3 lead on a double by Luis Gonzalez and a sacrifice fly. But in the bottom of the tenth, with two outs and the count 0-1, Derek Jeter hit a walk-off home run into the right-field stands off Kim, earning the nickname “Mr. November.” The Yankees won 4-3, knotting the series at 2-2.

Game 5 followed a similar script. Kim returned to pitch the ninth with the game tied 0-0. He struck out the first two batters, but then walked Bernie Williams and allowed a single to Tino Martinez. Kim struck out Jorge Posada for the second out, but Scott Brosius, a veteran third baseman known for clutch hitting, launched a two-run homer to left field, giving the Yankees a 2-0 victory and a 3-2 series lead. The series returned to Phoenix.

The Impact of Mariano Rivera’s Blown Save

Mariano Rivera’s blown save in Game 4 was historic—it was his first postseason blown save in 24 opportunities. While the Yankees won both games, the chink in their armor was exposed. Rivera had been virtually untouchable in the postseason, and his failure to close out Game 4 gave the Diamondbacks a sense of possibility. They realized that even the best closer in history could be beaten.

Game 6: Schilling Forces a Game 7

Facing elimination, the Diamondbacks turned to Curt Schilling on three days’ rest. Schilling pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out seven. Randy Johnson came on in relief for the first time in the series, pitching a perfect eighth and getting the last out of the ninth for a save. The Diamondbacks won 4-2, with Danny Bautista hitting a two-run double off Andy Pettitte. The series was now tied 3-3, setting up a winner-take-all Game 7.

Game 7: The Decisive Match and the Final Inning

Game 7 was played on November 4, 2001, the latest date in World Series history at the time. The Yankees started Roger Clemens on three days’ rest; the Diamondbacks countered with Curt Schilling on short rest as well. The game was a tense, back-and-forth affair. Clemens was dominant through the first five innings, allowing only two hits. He left after the sixth inning with a 1-0 lead, thanks to a solo home run by Alfonso Soriano in the sixth. But the Diamondbacks tied it in the seventh on an RBI double by Danny Bautista off reliever Mike Stanton. In the top of the eighth, Randy Johnson entered in relief of Schilling, who had thrown 103 pitches. Johnson pitched two scoreless innings, striking out two and allowing only a walk, keeping the game tied at 1-1.

In the bottom of the ninth, Mariano Rivera came in to pitch for the Yankees, looking to close out his 23rd postseason save. But the Diamondbacks mounted a rally. Mark Grace led off with a bloop single to center. Pinch-runner David Dellucci moved to second on a passed ball. With one out, Tony Womack doubled off the right-field wall, scoring Dellucci to tie the game. The Yankees intentionally walked Craig Counsell to set up a force play. On a 1-1 count, Luis Gonzalez hit a broken-bat bloop single over drawn-in infielder Derek Jeter’s head, scoring Jay Bell from third base. The Diamondbacks won 3-2, capturing their first World Series championship. It marked Rivera’s first postseason loss, and it ended the Yankees’ three-peat bid.

The End of the Curse: Redefining the Narrative

The phrase “curse” in the original context of the article refers not to a literal curse like the Billy Goat or the Bambino, but rather to the long drought of major professional sports championships for the city of Phoenix. Before 2001, the Phoenix Suns had come close in 1976 and 1993, the Arizona Cardinals had never won a Super Bowl, and the city lacked a World Series title. The Diamondbacks’ championship ended that narrative and cemented Arizona as a viable sports market. Moreover, the series symbolized the end of the Yankees’ dynastic run. After 2001, the Yankees would not return to the World Series until 2003, and would not win another championship until 2009. The loss to Arizona broke the mystique of the Torre-era Yankees and allowed other teams to believe they could beat the best.

Legacy and Impact of the 2001 World Series

Baseball in a Post-9/11 World

The 2001 World Series took place just weeks after the September 11 attacks. The games in New York were especially poignant. President George W. Bush’s first-pitch strike in Game 3 became an iconic image of national unity. The series became a symbol of resilience for the city and the country. Players on both sides spoke of the emotional weight of performing in front of a wounded but determined audience. The series is often cited as one of the most therapeutic sports events in American history, providing a temporary escape from grief and a reason to cheer together.

Individual Heroes and Hall of Fame Careers

The series cemented the legacies of several players. Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were named co-MVPs of the World Series, the first time the award was shared. Johnson, at 38, dominated with a 1.04 ERA and struck out 19 batters in 17.1 innings, including a relief appearance in Game 7. Schilling pitched 21.1 innings with 26 strikeouts and a 1.69 ERA. Luis Gonzalez’s bloop single became one of the most iconic hits in postseason history. For the Yankees, Derek Jeter’s “Mr. November” home run is etched in baseball lore, and Mariano Rivera’s blown save humanized a previously invincible closer. The series also marked the end of Paul O’Neill’s career; he announced his retirement shortly after Game 7.

The Diamondbacks’ Rise and Fall

Following the 2001 championship, the Diamondbacks struggled to maintain their success. The team made the playoffs in 2002 and 2007 but did not win another World Series. The high payroll and trading of prospects for veterans eventually caught up, leading to a rebuild. However, the 2001 team remains the franchise’s crowning achievement. They were one of the fastest expansion teams to win a title, tying the 1997 Florida Marlins (who won in their fifth season). The 2001 Diamondbacks proved that a smart, aggressive front office could shortcut the typical expansion timeline.

Key Statistics and Milestones

The 2001 World Series featured several remarkable statistical achievements:

  • Randy Johnson struck out 19 batters in the series, including 11 in Game 2. He became the first pitcher since 1993 to win two games and earn a save in a World Series.
  • Curt Schilling threw 21.1 innings, the most by any pitcher in a single World Series since 1991.
  • Mariano Rivera’s blown save in Game 4 was his first in 24 postseason save opportunities. It remains one of the most significant blown saves in history.
  • The series featured three consecutive games (Games 3-5) decided by one run, a first since the 1926 World Series.
  • Attendance at Bank One Ballpark averaged 49,500, while Yankee Stadium drew over 56,000 per game.
  • Luis Gonzalez drove in nine runs in the series, the most by a Diamondbacks player in a single postseason.

External Resources for Further Reading

For more detailed play-by-play and analysis of the 2001 World Series, consider visiting the following authoritative sources:

Conclusion: A Championship for the Ages

The 2001 World Series remains a touchstone for baseball fans and historians. It was a series of legendary performances, emotional moments, and an underdog story that captured the imagination of the nation. The Arizona Diamondbacks’ first championship not only ended the city’s wait for a major sports title but also signaled a shift in baseball’s power structure. The Yankees’ dynasty, though still formidable, had lost its aura of invincibility. The 2001 Fall Classic will forever be remembered as the series that brought a new champion to Arizona and gave the country a reason to cheer during a time of national sorrow.

For the Diamondbacks, the victory validated their aggressive building strategy and proved that expansion teams could dream big. For New York, the series was a showcase of resilience and pride. And for baseball, it was a reminder that the game’s unpredictability is its greatest strength. The 2001 World Series is not just a historical event; it is a story of hope, heartbreak, and triumph that continues to inspire new generations of players and fans alike.