November 4, 2001

8:27 PM

Diamondbacks win! Diamondbacks win! More importantly, the Yankees lose! Yankees lose! There's something supremely fitting that to win, the Diamondbacks had to come from behind against Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the 9th in Game 7... this is one of the greatest, most intense World Series I've ever seen!
posted by hincandenza (49 comments total)

Yay, Arizona!
posted by rushmc at 8:30 PM on November 4, 2001

Indeed. Baseball has redeemed itself this October. I just hope that the Diamondbacks don't get torn apart and sold for scrap like what happened to the Marlins...
posted by machaus at 8:31 PM on November 4, 2001

I don't even mind that they had to beat my hometown team for a shot at the Series. Good on ya, D-backs. Of course, I'm worried now that we'll see a plague of snake related punny headlines tomorrow morning. Ach.
posted by likorish at 8:34 PM on November 4, 2001

More importantly, the Yankees lose! Yankees lose! Sore winner.
posted by jilly at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2001

It's like the terrorists have won. Damn you, Osama Bin Laden! Damn you to Hell!
posted by Doug at 8:43 PM on November 4, 2001

you better hope they don't, mac: the d'backs have no farm system, and their GM hasn't demonstrated as much savvy with trades as his florida counterpart Dave Dombrowski.
posted by moz at 8:50 PM on November 4, 2001

Nice shot of Mayor Rudy applauding the D-backs after the game...that's class.

A lot of odd managerial decisions in this series, but entertaining nonetheless.
posted by fold_and_mutilate at 8:51 PM on November 4, 2001

By far one of the most entertaining World Series ever (except for the stinkeroo games 1 and 6). As for the Diamondback sell-off, I can see that happening. Maybe not this off-season, but definitely in two years. Colangelo has been whining about losing $50million this year on his team. However, since he's delayed some of the payment to his players to a time in the future, his payroll costs for this year is, um, $50million. Gotta love that creative accounting!
posted by Grum at 8:52 PM on November 4, 2001

Gotta love the creative accounting yes, but also you have to love an owner (his Suns are in the same situation) who cares more about winning than the bottom line.
posted by djacobs at 8:59 PM on November 4, 2001

This was a good World Series, exciting, and the Dbacks won. What more could you want?
posted by bjgeiger at 9:03 PM on November 4, 2001

Hooray for Mark Grace, Matt Williams, Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, etc. etc. etc.

The Diamondbacks may be a new team, but it's a team of so many guys who've deserved this for years upon years.
posted by dopamine at 9:05 PM on November 4, 2001

I think it pretty much came down to Rivera's botched throw to 2nd in the 9th... Mariano was definitely off his game after that. Still, you gotta admit that there's something fitting about the series having been won by the team that outscored the other by something like 50-15 (and I speak as a Yankees fan).

I'm definitely glad that Randy Johnson finally gets to have the Ring after all these years :-)
posted by clevershark at 9:05 PM on November 4, 2001

I must admit, its nice to see a headline on cnn.com that is not anthrax/wtc/taliban related. Is this the first time since 9/11? It's like fresh air.
posted by vacapinta at 9:07 PM on November 4, 2001

Something's just to perfect for this World Series. Dbacks coming back in the bottom of the ninth in game 7 against the Yankees and more importantly Mariano Rivera!!! There is something that we cannot see...The conspiracy is on.
posted by HoldenCaulfield at 9:13 PM on November 4, 2001

We love NYC, we hate the Yankees. Thank you Diamondbacks.
posted by owillis at 9:13 PM on November 4, 2001

How does Luis Gonzalez, NL MVP sound?

He's gotta have that award in the bag now that his team one the series. Sorry Barry, but postseason performance, or lack thereof, is crucial.
posted by mmesker at 9:16 PM on November 4, 2001

As of right now, www.yankeeslose.com is unregistered.. hint hint!
posted by Hildago at 9:17 PM on November 4, 2001

The moment I heard the Yankees described as "God's team" I knew I just became a Diamondbacks fan.
posted by mathowie at 9:19 PM on November 4, 2001

What a game. There'll be people who question the pinch-runner's slide into Jeter in the bottom of the 9th. (It pained me to see the replay.) But had they not collided, it'd most likely have been runners at first and third and no outs. And it's nice to know that Rivera is human.

My praise goes to the young and old: not just the vet pitchers, but to Grace and Finlay, and to Durazo and Barajas coming off the bench in big games.

(hincandenzera: yep, you're right about the champagne. The MLB International commentators noted that it was being wheeled between the clubhouses quick-smart.)

mmesker: um, the MVP vote already took place before the Series. Barry's a shoo-in. And, very possibly, a 2002 Yankee.
posted by holgate at 9:20 PM on November 4, 2001

I for one am happy to see Grace get a ring. To bad he had to leave the Cubs to get it. But it is well deserved.
posted by jbelshaw at 9:20 PM on November 4, 2001

Byung-Hyun Kim is putting away the razor blade, anyway...
posted by lbergstr at 9:24 PM on November 4, 2001

holgate: Oops, I'm dumb. Barry probably will win then. Let's all pray to God, Allah, etc that him and Giambi aren't the new 3 & 4 hitters for the Yankees.
posted by mmesker at 9:37 PM on November 4, 2001

Man, we'll I'm a Yankee fan, so I'm a little down. But at least we lost in a good game (glad game 6 wasn't the deciding one).

I still can't beleive that they won off Rivera. Once we were up and with Rivera on the mound I KNEW we had won it.

Well, I think the Dbacks proved they were just as good, and I think the Yankees proved that even though they're always the team to chase that there's a reason, they just don't give up.

Maybe we'll see the Dbacks there next year, but we'll win this time.
posted by QrysDonnell at 9:40 PM on November 4, 2001

Grace won the game for them tonite with his 9th inning hit. He showed that Riviera wasn't God.

I don't like the Yankees, but I also don't like the fact that the Diamondbacks are just like the Marlins a few years ago in going out and purchasing nearly their entire team. The Yankees' players are paid well, but they're not guns for hire - most went through the farm system and have just been rewarded well.
posted by catatonic at 9:42 PM on November 4, 2001

The last exiciting World Series was not won by the Yankees either. (1997) I see the beginnings of a pattern.
posted by beto2g at 9:42 PM on November 4, 2001

catatonic: the counter-argument is that the Yankees, unlike many teams, can afford not to trade away the stars of its farm system. Like Manchester United in England, the first team can ultimately benefit from the strong youth policy, rather than another club: a player such as Solskjaer will sit on the bench in most games, happy that he's getting well-paid and in the country's biggest club. (In contrast, think of the Royals in baseball, who have consistently given up their best players year on year because they can't really afford to re-sign someone if he gets too successful.) And if a player's in your reserve team (or your AAA team), he isn't going to score against you. (And if we're talking guns for hire, what about the Dodgers and their payroll? Rupert must be a wee bit annoyed...)

Any Expos and Twins fans fearing next week's owners' meeting?
posted by holgate at 10:08 PM on November 4, 2001

Well, the commentary below is a bit dated (after game 2), but I'm confident that the writer, Brian Murphy, who writes the "Weekend Water Cooler" for espn.com's page 2, feels the same now as he did when he wrote this. He is just about the best sports writer I've ever come across, and it would behoove all sports fans everywhere in the U.S. to read this guy regularly. Thank you and I'll shut up now.

Randy Johnson? I can't hate that guy. I can, however, note that he is not a particularly handsome man, and I can also note that his eighth-inning showdown with Luis Sojo -- which I believe is Venezuelan for "looks like Ernie Borgnine, only worse" -- might have been the most visually unappealing pitcher-hitter matchup in Series history.

No, Cooler drinkers, my beef is with the very concept of the D-Backs.

My beef is with the "fans" who now cheer lustily for their heroes in downtown Phoenix, those last two words taking the concept of "oxymoron" to new heights.

My beef is with that ballpark, which is so far from a ballpark, it's like calling a Circle K hot dog a beef product.

These are my beefs: The D-Backs could not sell out any NLDS or NLCS games. The fans who did attend booed Matty Williams. The park in which they booed him is a freaking mall.

So forgive me if I didn't get all teary-eyed when Matty went deep off Andy Pettitte, and they gave the veteran third baseman a curtain call. I can't get the idea out of my head that this classiest of ballplayers endured the boos of people who wonder, in between innings, "Will I ever get out to the pool in right field one day, and if so, can I cannonball?"

Full article can be found here.
posted by Bixby23 at 10:15 PM on November 4, 2001

Well shit, I guess the Yanks will have to start their 1st of four consecutive World Series Chanmpionships again next year.

Stellar series and hats off to the D'Backs. *sigh*
posted by fooljay at 10:32 PM on November 4, 2001

It so nice to see credit given where it is due on this page and among many Yankee fans. Thanks to both teams for making the series so interesting and intense.

This World Series was weird for me since, I rooted against the Yankees last year, but for them this year. I am a diehard Mets fan, yes. I was still disappointed that the Yankees lost it in the bottom of the ninth after such an inspiring Game 3-4-5 progression.

Anyone else ready for a Mets-Yanks Subway World Series again next year?
posted by nyukid at 11:44 PM on November 4, 2001

Nope. I think that's only reserved for those with "ny" in their handle.
posted by crasspastor at 12:12 AM on November 5, 2001

The D-Backs won this series in spite of Bob Brenly, who made more bad decisions than almost any manager I've ever seen.

I agree with you that Brenley made a lot of mistakes, but you have to admit he also made his hunches pay off as well. And he managed a team to win the World Series against the most experienced World Series team in 20 years or more... He may have done some stupid things, but overall his demeanor and decisions brought them the championship-- I think he will mature into a great manager.
posted by chaz at 12:43 AM on November 5, 2001

Yankees Lose World Series

Gee, that looks pretty.

The Yankees have been killing off interest in the post-season for many fans, so it's a good thing that they lost.

The best thing for the game is for the NY teams to stay out of the Series for a while.

Dynasties kill any sport.

Yankee fans will just have to be content with all of those pennants that are already flying at Yankee Stadium.

Mets fans, well, they can bitch.
posted by BarneyFifesBullet at 1:20 AM on November 5, 2001

No, the Mets aren't a dynasty.
posted by BarneyFifesBullet at 1:24 AM on November 5, 2001

I'm sorry it happened against Mariano but he can have an off day; he is a master, no matter which way you look at him.

I am happy that the Yankees lost because I am so tired of the same thing over and over. It really got boring and abusive, not competitive sport. Same thing, over and over. I agree with just kicking them out of the league and see the rest do, probably more exciting overall. (And I lived in NYC for 13 years. And rooted for the Knicks. Ha! And the Mets!)
posted by mmarcos at 3:14 AM on November 5, 2001

I'm sorry the Yankees lost because for the last week or so they've been killing my sleep patterns. Yep, staying up until 4am in the morning to watch a flippin baseball game in the UK, where I haven't seen anybody (outside a military base) do anything more committed than buy a Yankees cap is crazy.

But I so wanted them to win. They are the Manchester United of baseball (and Man Utd will lose too this year) - and in more ways than their co-marketing agreement. It's just the commitment, the class,the skill. That Jeter catch and throw was just insane, especially when he clearly been injured. It's probably a good thing for the sport that they didn't win this time, but I wish they had.
posted by nedrichards at 4:14 AM on November 5, 2001

A sweet redeeming moment! I am so HAPPY!

Does anyone have the tape of the radio play-by-play of the ninth inning?

Yankee players: impressive, but verging on arrogant. Yankee fans and the New York media: loathsome. The fans of consistantly winning teams are not fans.

People out there in the hinterlands: just remember there are New Yorkers who aren't smug, arrogant...Yankee fans.
posted by ParisParamus at 5:50 AM on November 5, 2001

Finally!
posted by danOstuporStar at 5:58 AM on November 5, 2001

The level of nasty email in my mailbox (leftovers from a chance encounter with the Free Republic message boards) has risen to new heights in the past week as the series took place. By tonight, I will have a mailbox full of racist, hateful, cackling ignorant email from some of the stupidest people on the planet, those who seem to think a Yankee loss is the God-granted fulfillment of their wish that the city be humbled. As much as I was tired of hearing, "We need the Yankees to win for the good of the city"—a completely illogical statement that says more about the proxy nature of sports and the dream-life of a nation of Walter Mittys than about a return to supposed normalcy or "getting our minds off it"—I just wanted the Yanks to win to silence the anti-NYC blowhards from coast to coast.

You think it's only Al-Qaeda or bin Laden who want New York City destroyed? No, those who hate New York City are alive and kicking within our borders, and they're blind to the stunning similarity of this: the New York City is to the rest of the country as the US is to the rest of the world. Other Americans detest the Yankees because they win? Because they're a rich team? What? Oh, I see: New Yorkers are arrogant.

New Yorkers are proud of a baseball team. A winning baseball team. Staffed by a bunch of pretty damned good ball players. Where's the arrogance in that? Supporting a winning team? Do you see where I'm headed with this? Do you see how the US could be so savagely and unreasonably disliked world-wide? And do you see the disconnect there, the impossible solution? The solution is for the disliked party to fail. Not at one game, but at all of them.

Those people who have stifled their desires to rip gleefully on New York City have taken delight in the losses of the Yankees. From here they appear to be the same group of flag-waving neo-jingoists that shout down anyone asking for calm, consideration, or true justice in place of venegeance. Their actions are contradictory: support the arrogance of the United States, but not of Yankee fans. That is, if you are willing to grant that either arrogance actually exists.

These people are no longer supressing their distaste for New York City—or its immigrants, its liberals, its Jews—or anything from it. The post 9/11 moratorium is over. We don't hear anymore, "We're all New Yorkers now." What we hear is often similar to the email message I received below.

"Keep pushing your liberal agenda. I must admit you have been very good at it for the past 30 years. Your no-borders, diversity-at-any-cost attitudes have paved the way for terrorists by hamstringing our immigration defenses. Terrorists are now in our midst. But remember this, the terrorists have struck at major metropolitan areas and will again. These areas are full of hate-filled liberals like you. You survived this attack. Will you survive the next one? Perhaps a nuclear one? You reap what you sow. Keep sowing."
posted by Mo Nickels at 6:37 AM on November 5, 2001

So did anyone hear John Sterling's call?

Did he shout "Tha' Yankees Lose, THAAAAAAAA YANKEES LOSE!" ???
posted by darren at 6:47 AM on November 5, 2001

I still can't beleive that they won off Rivera. Once we were up and with Rivera on the mound I KNEW we had won it.

You *and* the Yankees thought that. You could see it in Joe Torres' face as he pumped his fist in the air and then called the bullpen.

Classic series, played by classy folks. It was so nice to hear the Diamondback players praising the Yankees. It was nice to see Mayor Rudy clapping and smiling for the Diamondbacks.

Bravo.
posted by terrapin at 7:20 AM on November 5, 2001

Hey Moz: Give them a little time to develop the farm system, it will get better. You know, Erubiel Durazo did play AA in El Paso and AAA in Tucson for the Diamondbacks before being called up. Give them time. There will be more.
posted by eckeric at 8:10 AM on November 5, 2001

... and Red Sox fans worldwide rejoice!
posted by jerseygirl at 8:22 AM on November 5, 2001

I tip my Yankees cap to the Arizona Diamondbacks and their fans. Classic Series and great finish. Jeter and the Yankees played their hearts out against two great pitchers and a lineup of capable players used (mostly) well by Brenly. Farewell, and thanks, to O'Neill and possibly Tino, Brosius and Knobby. Congrats to the D'Backs players, esp. Schilling, Johnson, Williams, Grace, Gonzalez and Finley. Classy players who waited a long time to win a ring.
posted by msacheson at 9:49 AM on November 5, 2001

The Yankees have been killing off interest in the post-season for many fans, so it's a good thing that they lost.
The best thing for the game is for the NY teams to stay out of the Series for a while.
Dynasties kill any sport.

I tend to disagree and so does the author of this article...
posted by fooljay at 9:55 AM on November 5, 2001

Classy players who waited a long time to win a ring.

that's the one reason i wouldn't have minded yet another yankee champsionship this year. Mussina fits msacheson's description.

still, i'm generally pleased as punch.
posted by danOstuporStar at 10:20 AM on November 5, 2001

Did anyone see this article?
Ari Fleischer is such a control freak.
posted by zinegurl at 6:21 PM on November 5, 2001

holgate: yes I am thinking about next week's owners' meeting. The poor old Expos.

(Apologies, but an aside: Did you hear Al Ferguson mentioned last week that Solskjaer watches so intently from the sidelines that he is effectively United's twelfth player. When he comes on the pitch, he's in the game but not tired, and scores like he did against Leeds (?) last week.)
posted by philfromhavelock at 9:44 PM on November 5, 2001

testing, please disregard, testing...

This is a test of paragraph inserts, disregard.

posted by hincandenza at 4:11 PM on November 6, 2001