View source for 2001 World Series

{{short description|97th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2026}}
{{Infobox World Series Expanded
| image = 2001 World Series logo.svg
| country = World
| year = 2001
| champion = [[2001 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Arizona Diamondbacks]] (4)
| champion_manager = [[Bob Brenly]]
| champion_games = 92–70, {{winpct|92|70}}, GA: 2
| runnerup = [[2001 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] (3)
| runnerup_manager = [[Joe Torre]]
| runnerup_games = 95–65, {{winpct|95|65}}, GA: {{frac|13|1|2}}
| date = October 27 – November 4
| venue = [[Chase Field|Bank One Ballpark]] (Arizona)<br />[[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]] (New York)
| MVP = [[Randy Johnson]] and [[Curt Schilling]] (Arizona)
| television = [[MLB on Fox|Fox]] (United States)<br />[[MLB International]] (International)
| announcers = [[Joe Buck]] and [[Tim McCarver]] (Fox)<br />[[Gary Thorne]] and [[Rick Sutcliffe]] (MLB International)
| radio_network = [[Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio|ESPN]]<br />[[WABC (AM)|WABC]] (NYY)<br />[[KTAR (AM)|KTAR]] (AZ)
| radio_announcers = [[Jon Miller]] and [[Joe Morgan]] (ESPN)<br />[[John Sterling (sportscaster)|John Sterling]] and [[Michael Kay (sportscaster)|Michael Kay]] (WABC)<br />[[Thom Brennaman]], [[Greg Schulte]], [[Rod Allen]] and [[Jim Traber]] (KTAR)
| umpires = [[Steve Rippley]] (crew chief), [[Mark Hirschbeck]], [[Dale Scott]], [[Ed Rapuano]], [[Jim Joyce]], [[Dana DeMuth]]
| HOFers = '''Diamondbacks''': <br />[[Randy Johnson]]<br />'''Yankees''':<br />[[Derek Jeter]]<br />[[Mike Mussina]]<br />[[Mariano Rivera]]<br />[[Joe Torre]] (manager)
| ALCS = [[2001 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] over [[2001 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] (4–1)
| NLCS = [[2001 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Arizona Diamondbacks]] over [[2001 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]] (4–1)
| image2 = 2001 World Series Program.gif
}}

The '''2001 World Series''' was the [[World Series|championship series]] of [[Major League Baseball]]'s (MLB) [[2001 Major League Baseball season|2001 season]]. The 97th edition of the World Series,<ref name="baseball-reference1">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2001_WS.shtml|title=2001 World Series|website=Baseball-Reference|access-date=January 6, 2014}}</ref> it was a [[best-of-seven playoff|best-of-seven series]] between the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) [[2001 National League Championship Series|champion]] [[2001 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Arizona Diamondbacks]] and the [[American League]] (AL) [[2001 American League Championship Series|champion]] (and three-time defending World Series champion) [[2001 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]]. The  Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees, four games to three, to win the series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verducci |first=Tom |date=November 12, 2001 |title=Desert Classic: Diamondbacks Win |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/2001/11/12/desert-classic-in-a-scintillating-world-series-marked-by-amazing-comebacks-the-diamondbacks-outdueled-the-yankees-to-win-their-first-championship |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Sports Illustrated Vault {{!}} SI.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilhelm |first=Dylan |date=2021-10-27 |title=Diamondbacks: How to build a champion in 4 seasons |url=https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/10/27/world-series-winner-how-diamondbacks-secured-championship-in-just-4-seasons/ |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |language=en-US}}</ref> Considered one of the greatest World Series of all time,<ref name=greatestofall>{{cite web|last1=Fagan|first1=Ryan|title=World Series: Ranking the 10 best Fall Classics of all time|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-10-23/greatest-world-series-yankees-dodgers-reds-red-sox-mets-braves-twins/slide/11|website=The Sporting News|publisher=Sporting News|access-date=29 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029011523/http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-10-23/greatest-world-series-yankees-dodgers-reds-red-sox-mets-braves-twins/slide/11|archive-date=October 29, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Platt |first=Chuck |date=November 4, 2011 |title=10 Years Later: Remembering the 2001 World Series |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/920844-10-years-later-remembering-the-2001-world-series |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref>
its memorable aspects included two extra-inning games and three late-inning comebacks. Diamondbacks pitchers [[Randy Johnson]] and [[Curt Schilling]] were both named [[World Series Most Valuable Player Award|World Series Most Valuable Players]].

The Yankees advanced to the World Series by defeating the [[2001 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]], three games to two, in the [[2001 American League Division Series|AL Division Series]], and then the [[2001 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] in the [[2001 American League Championship Series|AL Championship Series]], four games to one. It was the Yankees' fourth consecutive World Series appearance, after winning championships in {{wsy|1998}}, {{wsy|1999}}, and {{wsy|2000}}. The Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series by defeating the [[2001 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]], three games to two, in the [[2001 National League Division Series|NL Division Series]], and then the [[2001 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]] in the [[2001 National League Championship Series|NL Championship Series]], four games to one. It was the franchise's first appearance in a World Series.

The Series began later than usual, as a result of a delay in the regular season after the [[September 11 attacks]], and it was the first to extend into November. The Diamondbacks won the first two games at home, limiting the Yankees to just one run. The Yankees responded with a close win in Game 3, at which [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]] threw out the [[ceremonial first pitch]]. In Games 4 and 5, the Yankees won in comeback fashion, hitting game-tying [[home run]]s off Diamondbacks [[closer (baseball)|closer]] [[Byung-hyun Kim]] with one out remaining in consecutive games, before winning in extra innings. The Diamondbacks won Game 6 in a blowout, forcing a decisive Game 7. In the final game, the Yankees led in the ninth inning before the Diamondbacks staged a comeback against closer [[Mariano Rivera]], capped off by a [[Glossary of baseball (W)#walk-off home run|walk-off]], bases-loaded [[Bloop single|bloop]] single by [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]] to clinch Arizona's championship victory. This was the third World Series to end in a bases-loaded, walk-off hit, following {{wsy|1991}} and {{wsy|1997}}, and to this date, the last Series to end on a walk-off of any kind. This series held the record for the latest date that a Series ended (November 4), until that record was broken during the [[2022 World Series]].

Among several firsts, the 2001 World Series was the first World Series championship for the Diamondbacks; the first major professional sports championship won by a [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]-based team (and the first World Series championship for a [[Western United States|Western state]] other than California); and the earliest an MLB franchise had won a World Series (the Diamondbacks were in just their fourth year of existence). The home team won every game in the Series, which had only happened twice before, in [[1987 World Series|1987]] and [[1991 World Series|1991]], both won by the [[Minnesota Twins]]. The Diamondbacks outscored the Yankees, 37–14, as a result of large margins of victory achieved by Arizona at [[Chase Field|Bank One Ballpark]] (now known as Chase Field) relative to the one-run margins the Yankees achieved at [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]]. Arizona's pitching held powerhouse New York to a .183 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]], the lowest ever in a seven-game World Series. This and the [[2002 World Series]] were the last two consecutive World Series to have game sevens until the World Series of [[2016 World Series|2016]] and [[2017 World Series|2017]], and the last two consecutive ones where Game 7 was won by the home team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2017/11/1/16589848/world-series-2017-dodgers-astros-game-7|title=The World Series comes down to Game 7 yet again|date=November 2017}}</ref> The 2001 World Series was the subject of an [[HBO]] documentary, ''Nine Innings from Ground Zero'', in 2004.

==Background==
{{See also|2001 Major League Baseball postseason}}

===Arizona Diamondbacks===
{{Main|2001 Arizona Diamondbacks season}}

The Arizona Diamondbacks began play in [[1998 Arizona Diamondbacks season|1998]], along with the [[Tampa Bay Devil Rays]], as the youngest [[expansion team]] in Major League Baseball (MLB).<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Chuck|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/diamondbacks/2001-10-23-cover.htm|title=Diamondbacks quenching fans' thirst for winner|work=[[USA Today]]|date=October 23, 2001|access-date=July 31, 2017}}</ref> After a mediocre debut season, the Diamondbacks finished [[1999 Arizona Diamondbacks season|the following year]] first in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL) [[National League West|West]] with a {{Win–loss record|w=100|l=62}} record, but lost to the [[1999 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] in the [[1999 National League Division Series|National League Division series]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Magruder|first=Jack|title=D'backs' future looks promising|work=[[Arizona Daily Star]]|date=October 11, 1999|page=1D}}</ref> With several [[Major League Baseball All-Star|All-Star]] players like [[Randy Johnson]] and [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]], the Diamondbacks had high expectations for the [[2000 Arizona Diamondbacks season|2000 season]], but finished third in the NL West with an {{Win–loss record|w=85|l=77}} record.<ref name="Bob Brenly new manager">{{cite news|last=Magruder|first=Jack|title=D'backs hire Brenly – Former major-league catcher's knowledge, vivacious personality convince Colangelo|work=[[Arizona Daily Star]]|date=October 31, 2000|page=C1}}</ref> During the [[offseason]], team manager [[Buck Showalter]] was fired, and replaced by [[Sports commentator|sportscaster]] [[Bob Brenly]].<ref name="Bob Brenly new manager"/> The Diamondbacks acquired several notable [[free agent]] players during the offseason, including [[Miguel Batista]], [[Mark Grace]], and [[Reggie Sanders]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Steve|url=http://www.mlb.com/ws/news/ws_news_story.jsp?article=10262001-1613|title=D-Backs wasted no time in building a winner|work=[[MLB.com]]|date=October 27, 2001|access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> Most of the Diamondbacks players were above the age of 30, and had already played on a number of teams prior to the 2001 season.<ref name="Old Team">{{cite news|last=Hummel|first=Rick|title=D'Backs Move Into Series With Loads Of Experience – Problem Is That Not Much Has Been In Postseason|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|date=October 23, 2001|page=D4}}</ref> In fact, the Diamondbacks [[starting lineup]] for the World Series did not include a player under the age of 31, making them the oldest team by player age in World Series history.<ref name="Old Team"/> With several players nearing the age of retirement, [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]] noted that the overall team mentality was "there's too many good guys in here to let this opportunity slip away".<ref name="Documentary">{{cite video|title=Destiny in the Desert: The 2001 World Series|publisher=Major League Baseball Productions|date=2001|medium=DVD}}</ref>

Although the Diamondbacks were only one game [[Winning percentage|above .500]] by the end of April,<ref name="2001 DBacks season">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ARI/2001-schedule-scores.shtml|title=2001 Arizona Diamondbacks Schedule|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> Gonzalez had a particularly memorable start to the season, in which he tied the MLB record with 13 [[home run]]s during the month of April.<ref name="Documentary"/> The Diamondbacks found greater success in May and June, and at one point had a six-game lead in the NL West. During this span, the team won nine consecutive games, and Johnson tied the MLB record with 20 [[strikeout]]s in a nine-[[inning]] game.<ref name="Documentary"/><ref name="2001 DBacks season"/> The six game lead did not last long however, and by the end of July, the Diamondbacks were a half game behind the [[2001 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] in the West.<ref name="2001 DBacks season"/> A resurgent August pushed the team back into first place, a spot they maintained for the rest of the season.<ref name="2001 DBacks season"/> By the end of the season, several Diamondbacks players had put up exceptional [[Baseball statistics|statistics]]: [[Curt Schilling]] had the most wins of any pitcher in MLB that year with 22, while Johnson nearly broke the single season strikeout record with 372.<ref name="Documentary"/><ref name="Schilling and Johnson">{{cite magazine|last=Verducci|first=Tom|author-link=Tom Verducci|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2001/12/17/8112289/the-power-of-two-spurring-each-other-on-curt-schilling-and-randy-johnson-carried-arizona-to-victory-in-the-world-seriesand-enthralled-a-nation|title=The Power of Two|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=December 17, 2001|pages=112–115|volume=95|number=24}}</ref> Johnson and Schilling also had the two lowest [[earned run average]]s (ERA) in the NL, with 2.49 and 2.98 respectively.<ref name="Schilling and Johnson"/> Gonzalez ended the season with a .325 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] and 57 home runs, and finished third in voting for the NL [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_2001.shtml|title=2001 Awards Voting|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref> The Diamondbacks were also one of the best defensive teams in MLB that year, second in fewest [[Error (baseball)|errors]] committed, and tied with the [[Seattle Mariners]] for the best [[fielding percentage]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2001.shtml|title=2001 MLB Team Statistics|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref>

The Diamondbacks entered the postseason as the #2 seed in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]], and played the #4 seed [[2001 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] in the [[2001 National League Division Series|National League Division Series]].<ref name="Schilling and Johnson"/> Schilling threw a [[Shutouts in baseball|shutout]] in Game 1 to give the Diamondbacks an early series lead,<ref name="Documentary"/> but the Cardinals won Game 2 thanks to a two-run home run from [[Albert Pujols]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Ostermeier|first=Joe|title=Cards Even Series At 1–1 – Williams, Pujols Show How To Do It|work=[[Belleville News-Democrat]]|date=October 11, 2001|page=1D}}</ref> [[Craig Counsell]] hit a three-run home run late in Game 3 to give the Diamondbacks a 2–1 series lead,<ref name="Documentary"/> but the Cardinals won Game 4 with strong pitching performances from [[Bud Smith]] and their [[relief pitcher]]s.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fallstrom|first=R.B.|title=Cards extend series Rookie's pitching forces final game|work=[[Charleston Gazette-Mail]]|date=October 14, 2001|page=P4E}}</ref> The Diamondbacks clinched the series in Game 5, when [[Tony Womack]] hit a game winning [[single (baseball)|single]] that scored [[Danny Bautista]].<ref name="Documentary"/> They then faced the third seeded [[2001 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]] in the [[2001 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]].<ref name="Schilling and Johnson"/> Johnson also threw a shutout in Game 1,<ref name="Documentary"/> while the Braves hit three home runs in Game 2 to tie the series at one game apiece.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reid|first=Jason|title=Glavine, Braves knot NLCS – Atlanta hands Arizona its first loss at home in playoffs|work=[[Charleston Gazette-Mail]]|date=October 18, 2001|page=3B}}</ref> Schilling threw a [[complete game]] in Game 3,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL200110190.shtml|title=2001 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 3, Diamondbacks at Braves, October 19|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=July 31, 2017}}</ref> and the Diamondbacks scored 11 runs in a Game 4 victory to take a 3–1 series lead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL200110200.shtml|title=2001 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 4, Diamondbacks at Braves, October 20|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=July 31, 2017}}</ref> The Diamondbacks clinched the series in Game 5 with another strong performance from Johnson.<ref name="Schilling and Johnson"/> With the win, they became the fastest expansion team to reach the World Series, in just their fourth year of play.<ref name="Documentary"/>

===New York Yankees===
{{Main|2001 New York Yankees season}}
In contrast to the Diamondbacks, the New York Yankees were one of the oldest and most recognized teams in all of North American sports.<ref name="Documentary"/> The Yankees had built a [[Dynasty (sports)|dynasty]] in the late 1990s that extended into 2000, which included winning three consecutive World Series' and four of the last five.<ref name="Documentary"/> These teams were led by a group of talented young players that became known as the [[Core Four]]: [[Derek Jeter]], [[Andy Pettitte]], [[Jorge Posada]], and [[Mariano Rivera]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Gyurina|first=Scott|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/500086-ny-yankees-core-four-represents-offseason-issues-for-bronx-bombers|title=New York Yankees: Core 4 Represent Offseason Issues for Bronx Bombers|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=October 25, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2020}}</ref> Following the Yankees win over the Braves in the [[1999 World Series]], sportscaster [[Bob Costas]] called the Yankees "the team of the decade, [and] most successful franchise of the century."<ref name="Documentary"/>

The Yankees finished the 2001 season in first place in the [[American League East|AL East]] with a win–loss record of {{Win–loss record|w=95|l=65}} (a winning percentage of {{winpct|95|65}}), {{frac|13|1|2}} games ahead of the [[2001 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]], good enough to secure the #2 seed in the [[American League]] playoff bracket. The Yankees then defeated the fourth seeded [[2001 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] 3 games to 2 in the [[2001 American League Division Series|AL Division Series]], after losing 2 games at [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|home]], and the top seeded [[2001 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] 4 games to 1 in the [[2001 American League Championship Series|AL Championship Series]] to advance to their fourth consecutive World Series, and fifth in six years.

[[Derek Jeter]] and [[Tino Martinez]] led the Yankees offensively during the 2001 season. Jeter batted .311 with 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 150 games, while Martinez batted .280 with 34 home runs and 113 RBI in 154 games. [[Roger Clemens]] and [[Mike Mussina]] were the leaders of the Yankees' pitching staff. Clemens who won the Cy Young Award, his sixth of a career total and major league record 7, finished with a win–loss record of 20–3, an [[earned-run average]] (ERA) of 3.51, and struck out 213 batters in 220.1 innings pitched and was by far the Yankee's best starter in the World Series. Mussina finished with a win–loss record of 17–11, an ERA of 3.15, and struck out 214 batters in 228.2 innings pitched.

=== September 11 and the month of November ===
After MLB games were postponed as a result of the [[September 11 attacks]], the World Series began on October 27, 2001,<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/postseason/history/2001/world-series/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031111056/http://m.mlb.com/postseason/history/2001/world-series/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 31, 2015|title=Postseason History: 2001 World Series|publisher= MLBAM, LP|access-date=April 4, 2020}}</ref> which was, at the time, the latest-ever start date for a World Series. The last three games were the first major-league games (other than exhibitions) played in the month of November.<ref name="auto"/> This was just the fourth time that no World Series champion was decided within the traditional month of October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/postseason/history/1918/world-series/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029081450/http://m.mlb.com/postseason/history/1918/world-series/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2015|title=Postseason History: 1918 World Series|publisher=MLBAM, LP|access-date=April 3, 2020}}</ref> The previous three occurrences were in {{wsy|1904}} (no series), {{wsy|1918}} (series held in September because of World War I), and {{wsy|1994}} (series cancelled by the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|players' strike]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/postseason/history/world-series|title=Postseason History: World Series|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, LP|accessdate=July 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1918ws.shtml|title=1918 World Series|publisher=Baseball Almanac, Inc.|accessdate=July 12, 2022}}</ref> Game 7 was played on November 4; at the time this was the latest date a World Series game was played, and still tied with Game 6 of the 2009 Series for the second-latest date of a World Series game (only behind {{wsy|2022}}'s Game 6, played on November 5).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=2022 World Series Could Extend to Nov. 5, Latest Date Ever |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/08/15/2022-world-series-could-extend-to-nov-5-latest-date-ever |accessdate=November 11, 2022}}</ref>

Additionally, the Series took place in New York City only seven weeks after the attacks, representing a remarkable boost in morale for the fatigued city.<ref name="auto"/> A tattered and torn American flag recovered from the wreckage at Ground Zero, which had been used at funerals of fallen [[Port Authority of New York and New Jersey|Port Authority]] police officers after the attacks, was flown over Yankee Stadium during the series.<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2001/s/2001/1030/1271252.html Torn flag a reminder of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks]</ref> According to Port Authority sergeant Antonio Scannella, "We wanted a place America could see this flag so they could see the rips in it, but it still flies."<ref>[Flag: An American Biography By Marc Leepson]</ref>

[[File:President George W. Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium.jpg|thumb|upright|Donning an [[FDNY]] fleece, with a bulletproof vest underneath, President Bush tosses out the ceremonial first pitch.]]
[[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] threw out the [[ceremonial first pitch]] before Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.<ref name="auto"/> Bush had been counseled by security officials to appear before Game 1 in Phoenix because they believed it would be more secure there, but Bush thought it would be better for the country to do it in New York.<ref name="911m">[https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/remembering-president-george-w-bushs-2001-world-series-pitch Remembering President George W. Bush's 2001 World Series Pitch]</ref> Security was extremely tight at Yankee Stadium before the game, with bomb sniffing dogs sweeping the property, snipers positioned around the stadium, and vendors screened by federal agents.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/31/nyregion/nation-challenged-security-precautions-turn-house-that-ruth-built-into-fortress.html A NATION CHALLENGED: SECURITY; Precautions Turn House That Ruth Built Into the Fortress That Bush Visited]</ref> A [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agent dressed as an umpire and stood on the field with the other umpires before the game, briefly appearing on the TV broadcast.<ref>[https://www.nj.com/yankees/2021/09/remembering-how-the-yankees-helped-us-heal-after-911.html Remembering how the Yankees helped us heal after 9/11]</ref> Bush wore a bulletproof vest underneath an FDNY sweater. Having been counseled by Derek Jeter to throw from the rubber on top of the pitcher's mound rather than the base of the mound, Bush strode to the rubber, gave a thumbs up to the crowd, and fired a strike over home plate as the crowd chanted "U-S-A".<ref name="911m"/> Bush later reflected, "I had never had such an adrenaline rush as when I finally made it to the mound. I was saying to the crowd, 'I'm with you, the country's with you' ... And I wound up and fired the pitch. I've been to conventions and rallies and speeches: I've never felt anything so powerful and emotions so strong, and the collective will of the crowd so evident."<ref>[https://www.newsweek.com/why-george-bushs-2001-world-series-first-pitch-meant-more-just-play-ball-1531324 Why George Bush's 2001 World Series First Pitch Meant More Than Just 'Play Ball']</ref>

==Summary==
{{MLB Playoff Summary
| summary =
| winner = Arizona
| score = 4–3
| score1 = New York Yankees – 1, '''Arizona Diamondbacks''' – 9
| date1 = October 27
| loc1 = [[Chase Field|Bank One Ballpark]]
| time1 = 2:44
| att1 = 49,646
| ref1 =<ref name="Game1">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10270ARI2001.htm|title=2001 World Series Game 1 – New York Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score2 = New York Yankees – 0, '''Arizona Diamondbacks''' – 4
| date2 = October 28
| loc2 = Bank One Ballpark
| time2 = 2:35
| att2 = 49,646
| ref2 =<ref name="Game2">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10280ARI2001.htm|title=2001 World Series Game 2 – New York Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score3 = Arizona Diamondbacks – 1, '''New York Yankees''' – 2
| date3 = October 30
| loc3 = [[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium (I)]]
| time3 = 3:26
| att3 = 55,820
| ref3 =<ref name="Game3">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10300NYA2001.htm|title=2001 World Series Game 3 – Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score4 = Arizona Diamondbacks – 3, '''New York Yankees''' – 4 <small>(10)</small>
| date4 = October 31
| loc4 = Yankee Stadium (I)
| time4 = 3:31
| att4 = 55,863
| ref4 =<ref name="Game4">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10310NYA2001.htm|title=2001 World Series Game 4 – Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score5 = Arizona Diamondbacks – 2, '''New York Yankees''' – 3 <small>(12)</small>
| date5 = November 1
| loc5 = Yankee Stadium (I)
| time5 = 4:15
| att5 = 56,018
| ref5 =<ref name="Game5">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B11010NYA2001.htm|title=2001 World Series Game 5 – Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score6 = New York Yankees – 2, '''Arizona Diamondbacks''' – 15
| date6 = November 3
| loc6 = Bank One Ballpark
| time6 = 3:33
| att6 = 49,707
| ref6 =<ref name="Game6">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B11030ARI2001.htm|title=2001 World Series Game 6 – New York Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
| score7 = New York Yankees – 2, '''Arizona Diamondbacks''' – 3
| date7 = November 4
| loc7 = Bank One Ballpark
| time7 = 3:20
| att7 = 49,589
| ref7 =<ref name="Game7">{{cite web|url=http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B11040ARI2001.htm|title=2001 World Series Game 7 – New York Yankees vs. Arizona Diamondbacks|access-date=September 13, 2009|publisher=Retrosheet}}</ref>
}}

==Matchups==
===Game 1===
[[File:Curt Schilling.jpg|thumb|[[Curt Schilling]] (pictured with the [[Boston Red Sox]]) held the Yankees' offense to just one run and picked up the win in Game 1.]]
{{Linescore|
|Date=October 27, 2001
|Time=5:02{{nbsp}}pm ([[Mountain Time Zone|MST]])
|Location=[[Bank One Ballpark]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]
|Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY
|R1=1|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=1|RH=3|RE=2
|Home='''Arizona'''|HomeAbr=AZ
|H1=1|H2=0|H3=4|H4=4|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=9|HH=10|HE=0
|RSP=|HSP=
|WP=[[Curt Schilling]] (1–0)|LP=[[Mike Mussina]] (0–1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=[[Craig Counsell]] (1), [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]] (1)
|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10270ARI2001.htm
|Other={{convert|95|F|C}}, roof open, Mostly Cloudy}}

The Series commenced on October 27, which was the latest a World Series had started, beating the previous record by four days (1999 World Series, October 23). The Yankees struck first in Game 1 when [[Derek Jeter]] was hit by a pitch with one out in the first and scored on [[Bernie Williams]]'s double two batters later. However, Arizona's [[Curt Schilling]] and two relievers, [[Mike Morgan (baseball)|Mike Morgan]] and [[Greg Swindell]] held the Yankees scoreless afterward. They managed to get only two walks and two hits for the rest of the game, [[Scott Brosius]]'s double in the second and [[Jorge Posada]]'s single in the fourth, both with two outs.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks tied the game on [[Craig Counsell]]'s one-out home run in the first off of [[Mike Mussina]]. After a scoreless second, Mussina led off the third by hitting [[Tony Womack]] with a pitch. He moved to second on Counsell's sacrifice bunt before [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]]'s home run put the Diamondbacks up 3–1. A single and right fielder [[David Justice]]'s error put runners on second and third before [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]]'s sacrifice fly put Arizona up 4–1. After [[Mark Grace]] was intentionally walked, [[Damian Miller]]'s RBI double gave Arizona a 5–1 lead.

Next inning, Gonzalez hit a two-out double off of [[Randy Choate]]. [[Reggie Sanders]] was intentionally walked before Gonzalez scored on [[Steve Finley]]'s single. An error by third baseman Brosius scored Sanders, put Finley at third, and Williams at second. Both men scored on [[Mark Grace]]'s double, putting Arizona up 9–1. Though the Diamondbacks got just one more hit for the rest of the game off of [[Sterling Hitchcock]] and [[Mike Stanton (left-handed pitcher)|Mike Stanton]] (Williams' leadoff single in the seventh), they went up 1–0 in the series.

The Diamondbacks' win in Game 1 was the first World Series game won by a non-New York City team since 1997. In every World Series between 1997 and 2001, either both teams were from New York City or a New York City team won in a sweep (1998 and 1999).

===Game 2===
[[File:Matt Williams (19613632042) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]] (pictured in 2015) hit a three-run home run for the Diamondbacks in the bottom of the seventh to seal a Game 2 win for Arizona.]]
{{Linescore|
|Date=October 28, 2001
|Time=5:59{{nbsp}}pm (MST)
|Location=Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona
|Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=0|RH=3|RE=0
|Home='''Arizona'''|HomeAbr=AZ
|H1=0|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=3|H8=0|H9=X|HR=4|HH=5|HE=0
|RSP=|HSP=
|WP=[[Randy Johnson]] (1–0)|LP=[[Andy Pettitte]] (0–1)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=[[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]] (1)
|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10280ARI2001.htm
|Other={{convert|87|F|C}}, roof open, Partly Cloudy}}

Arizona continued to take control of the Series with the strong pitching performance of [[Randy Johnson (pitcher)|Randy Johnson]]. The Big Unit pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing only four baserunners and three hits while striking out 11 Yankees. [[Andy Pettitte]] meanwhile nearly matched him, retiring Arizona in order in five of the seven innings he pitched. In the second, he allowed a leadoff single to [[Reggie Sanders]], who scored on [[Danny Bautista]]'s double. Bautista was the only Arizona runner stranded for the entire game. In the seventh, Pettitte hit [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]] with a pitch before Sanders grounded into a forceout. After Bautista singled, [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]]'s three-run home run put Arizona up 4–0. They won the game with that score and led the series two games to none as it moved to New York City. This was the 1,000th game played in the history of the [[Major League Baseball postseason|MLB postseason]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stathead.com/tiny/VSLvN |title=Team Batting Game Finder: In years 1903 to 2020, In the Postseason, At Home, Starting w/ #901, sorted by earliest date |website=Stathead |access-date=October 14, 2020}}</ref>

===Game 3===
[[File:062707 267 Roger Clemens.jpg|thumb|282x282px|[[Roger Clemens]] pitched a three-hitter and struck out nine to clinch Game 3 for the Yankees.]]
{{Linescore|
|Date=October 30, 2001
|Time=8:30{{nbsp}}pm ([[Eastern Time Zone|EST]])
|Location=[[Yankee Stadium (1923)|Yankee Stadium]] in [[The Bronx|Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
|Road=Arizona|RoadAbr=AZ
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=1|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=1|RH=3|RE=3
|Home='''New York'''|HomeAbr=NYY
|H1=0|H2=1|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=1|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=2|HH=7|HE=1
|RSP=|HSP=
|WP=[[Roger Clemens]] (1–0)|LP=[[Brian Anderson (pitcher)|Brian Anderson]] (0–1)|SV=[[Mariano Rivera]] (1)
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=[[Jorge Posada]] (1)
|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10300NYA2001.htm
|Other={{convert|52|F|C}}, Mostly clear}}

The game was opened in New York City by President [[George W. Bush]], who threw the [[ceremonial first pitch]], a strike to Yankees backup catcher [[Todd Greene]]. Bush became the first [[incumbent]] U.S. president to throw a World Series first pitch since [[Jimmy Carter]] in {{wsy|1979}}. He also threw the baseball from the mound where the pitcher would be set (unlike most ceremonial first pitches which are from in front of the mound) and threw it for a strike. Chants of ''"[[U-S-A! cheer|U-S-A]], U-S-A"'' rang throughout Yankee Stadium. Yankees starter [[Roger Clemens]] was outstanding allowing only three hits and struck out nine in seven innings of work. Yankees closer [[Mariano Rivera]] pitched two innings for the save.

[[Jorge Posada]]'s leadoff home run off of [[Brian Anderson (pitcher)|Brian Anderson]] in the second put the Yankees up 1–0. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases in the fourth on two walks and one hit before [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]]'s sacrifice fly tied the game. [[Bernie Williams]] hit a leadoff single in the sixth and moved to second on a wild pitch one out later before Posada walked. [[Mike Morgan (baseball)|Mike Morgan]] relieved Anderson and struck out [[David Justice]] before [[Scott Brosius]] broke the tie with an RBI single. That would be all the scoring as Morgan and [[Greg Swindell]] pitched the rest of the game for the Diamondbacks while Clemens and Rivera shut down the D'Backs. The Yankees cut Arizona's series lead to 2–1 with the win.

===Game 4===
[[File:Derek Jeter batting stance allison.jpg|thumb|[[Derek Jeter]]'s walk off solo home run for the Yankees evened the series up at two games apiece and also earned him the nickname of "Mr. November".]]
{{Linescore|
|Date=October 31, 2001
|Time=8:23{{nbsp}}pm (EST)
|Location=Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York
|Road=Arizona|RoadAbr=AZ
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=1|R5=0|R6=0|R7=0|R8=2|R9=0|R10=0|RR=3|RH=6|RE=0
|Home='''New York'''|HomeAbr=NYY
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=1|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=2|H10=1|HR=4|HH=7|HE=0
|RSP=|HSP=
|WP=[[Mariano Rivera]] (1–0)|LP=[[Byung-hyun Kim]] (0–1)|SV=
|RoadHR=[[Mark Grace]] (1)|HomeHR=[[Shane Spencer]] (1), [[Tino Martinez]] (1), [[Derek Jeter]] (1)
|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B10310NYA2001.htm
|Other={{convert|57|F|C}}, Overcast}}

Game 4 saw the Yankees send [[Orlando Hernández]] to the mound while the Diamondbacks elected to bring back [[Curt Schilling]] on three days' rest. Both pitchers gave up home runs, with Schilling doing so to [[Shane Spencer]] in the third inning and Hernandez doing so to [[Mark Grace]] in the fourth. Hernandez pitched {{frac|6|1|3}} solid innings, giving up four hits while Schilling went seven innings and gave up one.

With the game still tied entering the eighth, Arizona struck. After [[Mike Stanton (left-handed pitcher)|Mike Stanton]] recorded the first out of the inning, [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]] singled and [[Erubiel Durazo]] hit a double to bring him in. [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]] followed by grounding into a fielder's choice off of [[Ramiro Mendoza]], which scored pinch runner [[Midre Cummings]] and gave the team a 3–1 lead.

With his team on the verge of taking a commanding 3–1 series lead, Diamondbacks manager [[Bob Brenly]] elected to bring in closer [[Byung-hyun Kim]] in the bottom of the eighth for a two-inning save. Kim, at 22, became the first Korean-born player to play in the MLB World Series. Kim struck out the side in the eighth, but ran into trouble in the ninth.

[[Derek Jeter]] led off by trying to bunt for a hit but was thrown out by Williams. [[Paul O'Neill (baseball)|Paul O'Neill]] then lined a single in front of Gonzalez. After [[Bernie Williams (born 1968)|Bernie Williams]] struck out, Kim seemed to be out of trouble with [[Tino Martinez]] coming to the plate. However, Martinez drove the first pitch he saw from Kim into the right-center field bleachers, tying the score at 3–3. The Yankees were not done, as [[Jorge Posada]] walked and [[David Justice]] moved him into scoring position with a single. Kim struck Spencer out to end the threat.

When the scoreboard clock in Yankee Stadium passed midnight, World Series play in November began, with the message on the scoreboard "Welcome to November Baseball".

[[Mariano Rivera]] took the hill for the Yankees in the tenth and retired the Diamondbacks in order. Kim went out for a third inning of work and retired [[Scott Brosius]] and [[Alfonso Soriano]], but Jeter hit an opposite field home run on a 3–2 pitch count from Kim. This home run gave the Yankees a 4–3 victory and tied the Series at two games apiece which guaranteed a return trip to Arizona and made Jeter the first player to hit a November home run and earning him the tongue-in-cheek nickname of "Mr. November".

===Game 5===
[[File:Alfonso Soriano-Yankees-11092013.jpg|thumb|[[Alfonso Soriano]] hit the game-winning single for the Yankees in the bottom of the twelfth inning, bringing the Yankees one win away from a title.]]
{{Linescore|
|Date=November 1, 2001
|Time=8:23{{nbsp}}pm (EST)
|Location=Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York
|Road=Arizona|RoadAbr=AZ
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=2|R6=0|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|R10=0|R11=0|R12=0|RR=2|RH=8|RE=0
|Home='''New York'''|HomeAbr=NYY
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=2|H10=0|H11=0|H12=1|HR=3|HH=9|HE=1
|RSP=|HSP=
|WP=[[Sterling Hitchcock]] (1–0)|LP=[[Albie Lopez]] (0–1)|SV=
|RoadHR=[[Steve Finley]] (1), [[Rod Barajas]] (1)|HomeHR=[[Scott Brosius]] (1)
|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B11010NYA2001.htm
|Other={{convert|61|F|C}}, Mostly cloudy}}

Game 5 saw the Yankees return to [[Mike Mussina]] for the start while the Diamondbacks sent [[Miguel Batista]], who had not pitched in twelve days, to the mound. Batista pitched a strong {{frac|7|2|3}} scoreless innings, striking out six, and reliever [[Greg Swindell]] got the last out of the eighth inning. Mussina bounced back from his poor Game 1 start, recording ten strikeouts, but allowed solo home runs in the fifth inning to [[Steve Finley]] and [[Rod Barajas]].

In the top of the ninth, the soon to be retired Paul O'Neill was honored by Yankee fans who chanted his name to which O'Neill, who was visibly in tears, tipped his hat. With the Diamondbacks leading 2–0 in the ninth, [[Byung-hyun Kim]] was called upon for the save despite having thrown three innings the night before. [[Jorge Posada]] doubled to open the inning, but Kim got [[Shane Spencer]] to ground out and then struck out [[Chuck Knoblauch]]. As had happened the previous night, Kim could not hold the lead as [[Scott Brosius]] hit a 1–0 pitch over the left field wall, the second straight game tying home run in the bottom of the ninth for the Yankees. Kim was pulled from the game in favor of [[Mike Morgan (baseball)|Mike Morgan]] who recorded the final out.

Morgan retired the Yankees in order in the 10th and 11th innings, while the Diamondbacks got to [[Mariano Rivera]] in the 11th. [[Danny Bautista]] and [[Erubiel Durazo]] opened the inning with hits and [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]] advanced them into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Rivera then intentionally walked [[Steve Finley]] to load the bases, then got [[Reggie Sanders]] to line out and [[Mark Grace]] grounded out to end the inning.

Arizona went to midseason trade acquisition [[Albie Lopez]] in the 12th, and in his first at bat he gave up a single to Knoblauch (who had entered the game as a pinch runner). Brosius moved him over with a bunt, and then [[Alfonso Soriano]] ended the game with an RBI single to give the Yankees a 3–2 victory and a 3–2 series lead as the series went back to Phoenix. Lopez would not pitch again in the series. [[Sterling Hitchcock]] got the win for the Yankees after he relieved Rivera for the twelfth.

===Game 6===
[[File:Randy Johnson 04.jpg|thumb|[[Randy Johnson]] allowed just two runs and struck out seven to pick up his second win of the series.]]
{{Linescore|
|Date=November 3, 2001
|Time=5:53{{nbsp}}pm (MST)
|Location=Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona
|Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=2|R7=0|R8=0|R9=0|RR=2|RH=7|RE=1
|Home='''Arizona'''|HomeAbr=AZ
|H1=1|H2=3|H3=8|H4=3|H5=0|H6=0|H7=0|H8=0|H9=X|HR=15|HH=22|HE=0
|RSP=|HSP=
|WP=[[Randy Johnson]] (2–0)|LP=[[Andy Pettitte]] (0–2)|SV=
|RoadHR=|HomeHR=
|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B11030ARI2001.htm
|Other={{convert|88|F|C}}, Mostly Cloudy}}

With Arizona in a must-win situation, [[Randy Johnson]] pitched seven innings and struck out seven, giving up just two runs, and [[Bobby Witt]] and [[Troy Brohawn]] finished the blowout. The Diamondbacks struck first when [[Tony Womack]] hit a leadoff double off of [[Andy Pettitte]] and scored on [[Danny Bautista]]'s single in the first. Next inning, Womack's bases-loaded single scored two and Bautista's single scored another. The Yankees loaded the bases in the third on a single and two walks, but Johnson struck out [[Jorge Posada]] to end the inning. The Diamondbacks broke the game open with eight runs in the bottom half. Pettitte allowed a leadoff walk to [[Greg Colbrunn]] and subsequent double to [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]] before being relieved by [[Jay Witasick]], who allowed four straight singles to [[Reggie Sanders]], [[Jay Bell]], [[Damian Miller]], and Johnson that scored three runs. After Womack struck out, Bautista's single scored two more runs and [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]]'s double scored another, with Bautista being thrown out at home. Colbrunn's single and Williams's double scored a run each before Sanders struck out to end the inning. In the fourth, Bell reached first on a strike-three wild pitch before scoring on Miller's double. Johnson struck out before Womack singled to knock Witasick out of the game. With [[Randy Choate]] pitching, Yankees second baseman [[Alfonso Soriano]]'s error on Bautista's ground ball allowed Miller to score and put runners on first and second before Gonzalez's single scored the Diamondbacks' final run. Choate and [[Mike Stanton (left-handed pitcher)|Mike Stanton]] kept them scoreless for the rest of the game. Pettitte was charged with six runs in two innings while Witasick was charged with nine runs in {{frac|1|1|3}} innings, the most runs allowed by any pitcher in a World Series game since Hall of Famer [[Walter Johnson]] also allowed nine runs in Game 7 of the [[1925 World Series]]. The Yankees scored their only runs in the sixth on back-to-back one-out singles by [[Shane Spencer]] and [[Luis Sojo]] with runners on second and third, but by then the score had become so far out of reach that it didn't do the Yankees much good. The Diamondbacks hit six doubles and Danny Bautista batted 3-for-4 with five RBIs. The team set a World Series record with 22 hits and defeated the New York Yankees in its most lopsided postseason loss in 293 postseason games, since surpassed by a 16–1 loss to the [[Boston Red Sox]] in Game 3 of the [[2018 American League Division Series]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/alds-game-3-red-sox-hand-yankees-worst-postseason-loss-team-history-032442415.html|title = ALDS Game 3: Red Sox hand Yankees worst postseason loss in team history| date=October 9, 2018 }}</ref> The 15–2 win evened the series at three games apiece and set up a Game 7 for the ages between Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling. The Diamondbacks’ thirteen-run margin of victory in Game 6 was the largest in a World Series game since [[1982 World Series#Game 6|Game 6 of the 1982 World Series]], and is tied for the second largest margin of victory in a World Series game overall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/largest-margin-of-victory-in-a-world-series-game|title=Largest Margin of Victory in a World Series Game|website=StatMuse|accessdate=August 28, 2025}}</ref>

===Game 7===
{{multiple image
| footer    = [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]] (left) hit the game (and series) winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning off [[Mariano Rivera]] to give the state of Arizona its first professional sports championship.
| total_width = 450
| image1    = Luis Gonzalez by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image2    = Mariano_Rivera_allison_7_29_07.jpg
}}
{{Linescore|
|Date=November 4, 2001
|Time=5:55{{nbsp}}pm (MST)
|Location=Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, Arizona
|Road=New York|RoadAbr=NYY
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0|R5=0|R6=0|R7=1|R8=1|R9=0|RR=2|RH=6|RE=3
|Home='''Arizona'''|HomeAbr=AZ
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0|H5=0|H6=1|H7=0|H8=0|H9=2|HR=3|HH=11|HE=0
|RSP=|HSP=
|WP=[[Randy Johnson]] (3–0)|LP=[[Mariano Rivera]] (1–1)|SV=
|RoadHR=[[Alfonso Soriano]] (1)|HomeHR=
|BoxURL=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2001/B11040ARI2001.htm
|Other={{convert|89|F|C}}, roof open, Mostly cloudy}}

It was a matchup of two 20-game winners in the Series finale. [[Roger Clemens]], at 39 years old, became the oldest Game 7 starter. [[Curt Schilling]] had already started two games of the Series and pitched his 300th inning of the season on just three days' rest. The two aces matched each other inning by inning and after seven full innings, the game was tied at 1–1. The Diamondbacks scored first in the sixth inning with a [[Steve Finley]] single and a [[Danny Bautista]] double (Bautista, trying to stretch it into a triple, was called out at third base). The Yankees responded with an RBI single from [[Tino Martinez]], which drove in [[Derek Jeter]] who had singled earlier. Brenly stayed with Schilling into the eighth, and the move backfired as [[Alfonso Soriano]] hit a home run on an 0–2 pitch. After Schilling struck out [[Scott Brosius]] (who, like O'Neill, would also retire following the series), he gave up a single to [[David Justice]], and he left the game trailing 2–1. When Brenly came to the mound to remove Schilling, he was heard on the Sounds of the Game microphone telling his clearly upset pitcher, "love you brother, you're my hero" and assuring him that "that ain't gonna beat us, we're gonna get that back and then some." He then brought in Game 5 starter [[Miguel Batista]] to get Jeter out and then in an unconventional move, brought in the previous night's starter and winner [[Randy Johnson]], who had thrown 104 pitches, in relief to keep it a one-run game. It proved to be a smart move, as Johnson retired pinch hitter [[Chuck Knoblauch]] (who batted for the left handed [[Paul O'Neill (baseball)|Paul O'Neill]]) on a fly out to Bautista in right field, then returned to the mound for the top of the ninth where he got [[Bernie Williams]] to fly out to [[Steve Finley]] in center field and Martinez to ground out to [[Tony Womack]] at shortstop, and then struck out catcher [[Jorge Posada]] to send the game to the bottom of the ninth inning.

With the Yankees ahead 2–1 in the bottom of the eighth, manager [[Joe Torre]] decided to relieve setup man Mike Stanton, who had got the last two outs, to his ace closer [[Mariano Rivera]] for a two-inning save. Rivera struck out the side in the eighth, including Arizona's [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]], [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]], and Bautista. Although he was effective in the eighth, this game would end in the third ninth-inning comeback of the Series.

[[Mark Grace]] led off the inning with a single to center on a 1–0 pitch. Rivera's errant throw to second base on a bunt attempt by catcher [[Damian Miller]] on an 0–1 pitch put runners on first and second. Jeter tried to reach for the ball, but got tangled in the legs of pinch-runner [[David Dellucci]], who was sliding in an attempt to break up the double play. During the next at bat, Rivera appeared to regain control when he fielded pinch hitter [[Jay Bell]]'s (who was hitting for Johnson) bunt and threw out Dellucci at third base, but third baseman Brosius decided to hold onto the baseball instead of throwing to first to complete the [[double play]]. [[Midre Cummings]] was sent in to pinch-run for [[Damian Miller]], who had reached second base safely. With Cummings at second and Bell at first, the next batter, Womack, hit a double down the right-field line on a 2–2 pitch that tied the game and earned Rivera a blown save, his first in a postseason since 1997. Bell advanced to third and the Yankees pulled the infield and outfield in as the potential winning run (Bell) stood at third with fewer than two outs. After Rivera hit [[Craig Counsell]] unintentionally with an 0–1 pitch, the bases were loaded. On an 0–1 pitch, with Williams in the on-deck circle, Gonzalez lofted a soft floater single over the drawn-in Jeter that barely reached the outfield grass, plating Jay Bell with the winning run.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schoenfield|first=David|date=November 5, 2001|title=Frozen Moment: Rivera finally fails|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2001/s/frozen/game7.html|work=ESPN.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=September 13, 2025}}</ref>

Gonzalez's single ended New York's bid for a fourth consecutive title (and fifth in six seasons) and brought Arizona its first championship in its fourth year of existence, making the Diamondbacks the fastest expansion team to win a World Series (beating out the [[1997 Florida Marlins season|1997 Florida Marlins]], who had done it in their fifth season at that time). It was also the first, and remains the only, major professional sports championship won by a [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]-based team. As a result of the Diamondbacks’ victory, Randy Johnson became the first pitcher to win three World Series games since [[Mickey Lolich]] did so in [[1968 World Series|1968]], and was the last to do so until [[Yoshinobu Yamamoto]] in [[2025 World Series|2025]], though like Yamamoto, Johnson pitched fewer innings and only got his third win in relief.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newstribune.com/news/2026/feb/04/lolich-hero-of-1968-world-series-for-tigers-dies-at-85/#:~:text=Since%20Lolich%2C%20only%20two%20pitchers,their%20third%20victories%20in%20relief|title=Lolich, hero of 1968 World Series for Tigers, dies at 85|website=Jefferson City News Tribune|date=February 5, 2026|accessdate=February 5, 2026}}</ref> Rivera took the loss, his only postseason loss in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=riverma01&t=p&post=1|title=Mariano Rivera Postseason Pitching Gamelogs|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=May 23, 2021}}</ref> Coincidentally, this was also the second World Series in a 5-year span (1997 to 2001) to end with a game-winning RBI single. [[Edgar Renteria]] hit the game-winner in the 1997 series, while Gonzalez hit it here, with Craig Counsell being on the basepaths for each. No other World Series has ended with a game-winning hit since 2001.

Two of the Diamondbacks' at-bats in the bottom of the 9th were rare "[[golden pitch]]" situations, by which either team could theoretically have won the World Series on the next pitch. [[Mariano Rivera]] threw six pitches to [[Jay Bell]] (who bunted into a forceout on the first pitch) and [[Tony Womack]] (who hit an RBI double on the fifth pitch of the at-bat) during the 10th and 11th golden-pitch plate appearances in baseball history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Golden Pitches: The Ultimate Last-at-Bat, Game Seven Scenario – Society for American Baseball Research |url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/golden-pitches-the-ultimate-last-at-bat-game-seven-scenario/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2009, Game 7 of the 2001 World Series was chosen by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' as the [[List of 2009 all-decade Sports Illustrated awards and honors#Major League Baseball|Best Postseason Game of the Decade]] (2000–2009).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/12/09/mlb-highlightslowlights|magazine=Sports Illustrated|title=MLB: Highlights and lowlights|date=December 9, 2009}}</ref>

In the years that have followed, many fans (regardless of team allegiance) consider Game 7 of the 2001 World Series to be one of the greatest games ever played in the history of professional baseball.

==Composite box==
2001 World Series '''(4–3): [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] (N.L.)''' over [[New York Yankees]] (A.L.)
{{Linescore
|Road='''[[Arizona Diamondbacks]]'''
|R1=2|R2=4|R3=12|R4=9|R5=2|R6=1|R7=3|R8=2|R9=2|R10=0|R11=0|R12=0|RR=37|RH=65|RE=3
|Home=[[New York Yankees]]
|H1=1|H2=1|H3=1|H4=0|H5=0|H6=3|H7=1|H8=1|H9=4|H10=1|H11=0|H12=1|HR=14|HH=42|HE=8
|TotalAttendance=366,289 |AveAttendance=52,327
|WinPlayerShare=$279,260 |LosePlayerShare=$201,014<ref name="wsshares">{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/wsshares.shtml|title=World Series Gate Receipts and Player Shares|access-date=June 14, 2009|publisher=Baseball Almanac| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090502011628/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/wsshares.shtml| archive-date= May 2, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
}}

==Media coverage==
For the second consecutive year, [[MLB on Fox|Fox]] carried the World Series with its top broadcast team, [[Joe Buck]] and [[Tim McCarver]] (himself a [[List of New York Yankees broadcasters|Yankees broadcaster]]). This was the first year of Fox's exclusive rights to the World Series (in the previous contract, Fox only broadcast the World Series in even numbered years while [[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]] broadcast it in odd numbered years), which it has held since. This particular contract also had given Fox exclusive rights to the entire baseball postseason, which aired over its family of networks, but shortly after the World Series, Fox sold its cable outlet [[Freeform (TV channel)|Fox Family Channel]], on which it aired Division Series games, shortly after the World Series ended, to [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]], which renamed the channel to ABC Family; since this made the channel a corporate sibling of [[ESPN]], Disney would move those games to ESPN in 2003 after airing them for one more season on ABC Family.

[[Major League Baseball on ESPN Radio|ESPN Radio]] provided national radio coverage for the fourth consecutive year, with [[Jon Miller]] and [[Joe Morgan]] calling the action.

Locally, the Series was broadcast by [[KTAR (AM)|KTAR-AM]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] with [[Thom Brennaman]], [[Greg Schulte]], [[Rod Allen]] and [[Jim Traber]], and by [[WABC (AM)|WABC-AM]] in New York City with [[John Sterling (sportscaster)|John Sterling]] and [[Michael Kay (sports broadcaster)|Michael Kay]]. This was WABC's last broadcast of Yankees baseball after twenty-one seasons as the team's flagship, and also the last time Sterling and Kay broadcast together after ten seasons. Sterling and the Yankees joined [[WHSQ|WCBS-AM]] the next season on the radio side, while Kay was promoted to television as the [[YES Network]] launched for 2002.

===Books and films===
[[Buster Olney]], who covered the Yankees for ''[[The New York Times]]'' before joining ESPN, would write a book titled ''[[The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty]]'', published in 2004. The book is a play by play account of Game 7 in addition to stories about key players, executives, and moments from the 1996–2001 dynasty. In a 2005 reprinting, Olney included a new epilogue covering the aftermath of the 2001 World Series up to the Boston Red Sox epic comeback from down 3–0 in the 2004 ALCS.

The official MLB Productions documentary film of the series was released in 2001.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313159/ 2001 World Series]</ref>

In 2004, [[HBO]] released ''Nine Innings from Ground Zero'', a documentary focusing on the special role that baseball, and particularly the Yankees, played in helping to heal New York after 9/11. The film features interviews with players, fans who lost family members, firefighters, sportswriters, and then United States President George W. Bush.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nine Innings from Ground Zero |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407085358/https://ew.com/article/2005/04/04/nine-innings-ground-zero/ |archive-date=2023-04-07 |url-status=live |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/04/04/nine-innings-ground-zero/}}</ref>

In 2005, A&E Home Video released the ''New York Yankees Fall Classic Collectors Edition (1996–2001)'' DVD set. Game 4 of the 2001 World Series is included in the set. In 2008, ''The Arizona Diamondbacks 2001 World Series'' DVD set was released. All seven games are included on this set.

==Aftermath and Legacy==
{{Quote box
| width = 25em
| bgcolor = 
| align = right
| quote = "The odds of getting two runs in the ninth inning off [[Mariano Rivera]] are right up there with the odds of going to the moon in a used Hyundai. Can't happen. Never happens. ... But it happened. But it happened."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stark |first1=Jayson |title=ESPN.com - MLB Playoffs 2001 - 'It must be true:' D-Backs are champs |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2001/s/2001/1105/1273660.html |website=www.espn.com |access-date=29 January 2026}}</ref>
| source = - Sports writer [[Jayson Stark]] after Game 7
}}
[[Mariano Rivera]], even in 2001, was considered the greatest closer ever.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Timeline of Mariano's illustrious career|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/timeline-of-mariano-rivera-s-career-c302985836|website=MLB.com|access-date=2026-01-30|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Torre, Rivera help make history at Game 3 of 2001 World Series {{!}} Baseball Hall of Fame|url=https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/torre-rivera-help-make-history-at-game-3-of-2001-world-series|website=baseballhall.org|access-date=2026-01-30}}</ref> Entering the bottom of the 9th inning, the deck was stacked against the Diamondbacks. Rivera had a 0.70 career postseason ERA in 51 appearances. He once pitched a record 34 1/3 scoreless innings in the postseason and he had converted 23 consecutive save chances in the playoffs since [[Sandy Alomar Jr.|Sandy Alomar]]'s home run in Game 4 of the [[1997 American League Division Series|1997 Division Series]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=ESPN.com - MLB Playoffs 2001 - Frozen Moment: Rivera finally fails|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/playoffs2001/s/frozen/game7.html#:~:text=%22Stepping%20up%20to%20the%20plate,I%20choked%20up%20all%20year.%22|website=www.espn.com|access-date=2026-01-30|last=Schoenfield|first=David}}</ref> However, it was the throwing error on Rivera's part that turned would could have been a save and Yankees fourth straight World Series into one of the most memorable moments in MLB history. "That's baseball," Rivera said after the game. "There's nothing I can do about it."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rivera's Playoff Mastery Runs Dry|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2001/11/05/riveras-playoff-mastery-runs-dry/c0120c5d-17ad-4dd1-8bfb-52f1154a238f/|work=The Washington Post|date=2001-11-05|access-date=2026-01-30|issn=0190-8286|language=en-US|last=Dougherty|first=John}}</ref>

The duo of [[Curt Schilling]] and [[Randy Johnson]] were awarded the [[World Series Most Valuable Player]], the first players to split the award since [[1981 World Series|1981]], when Dodgers players [[Steve Yeager]], [[Ron Cey]], and [[Pedro Guerrero (first baseman/outfielder)|Pedro Guerrero]] were declared co-winners, and last to do so, to date. This would not be the only award they split, as both were named [[Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year]] for 2001.

Rivera's blown save and the Yankees' loss proved to be life-saving for Yankees utility player [[Enrique Wilson]]. Had the Yankees won, Wilson was planning to fly home to the [[Dominican Republic]] for the winter on [[American Airlines Flight 587]] on November 12 after what would have been a Yankees victory parade down the [[Canyon of Heroes]]. But after the Yankees lost (and thus no parade occurred), Wilson decided to fly home earlier. Flight 587 would crash in Belle Harbor, Queens, killing everyone on board.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1175851-mariano-rivera-why-hes-the-most-irreplaceable-reliever-in-mlb-history|title=Mariano Rivera: Why He's the Most Irreplaceable Reliever in MLB History|last=Buckley|first=Brian|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|access-date=2019-04-21|date=May 8, 2012}}</ref> Rivera later said, "I am glad we lost the World Series because it means that I still have a friend."<ref>[https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=2051491 Epilogue: 'The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty']</ref>

During the offseason, several Yankees moved on to other teams or retired, the most notable changes being the free agent departures of Martinez and Knoblauch to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and [[Kansas City Royals]], and Brosius and O'Neill retiring. Martinez would later return to the Yankees to finish his career in 2005.

After winning the NL West again in 2002 the [[2002 Arizona Diamondbacks season|Diamondbacks]] were swept 3–0 by [[2002 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis]] in the [[2002 National League Division Series|NLDS]]. From here they declined, losing 111 games in [[2004 Arizona Diamondbacks season|2004]] as Bob Brenly was fired during that season. Arizona would not win another NL West title until [[2007 Arizona Diamondbacks season|2007]]. Schilling was traded to the [[Boston Red Sox]] after the [[2003 Arizona Diamondbacks season|2003 season]] and in [[2004 Boston Red Sox season|2004]] helped lead them to their first [[2004 World Series|World Series]] championship since [[1918 Boston Red Sox season|1918]]. He helped them win another championship in [[2007 World Series|2007]] and retired after four years with Boston, missing the entire 2008 season with a shoulder injury. Johnson was traded to the Yankees after the 2004 season, a season that saw him [[Randy Johnson's perfect game|throw a perfect game]] against the [[2004 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]], though he would be traded back to the Diamondbacks two years later and finish his career with the [[2009 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] in 2009. The last player from the 2001 Diamondbacks roster, [[Lyle Overbay]], retired following the 2014 season with the [[2014 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]] while the last player from the 2001 Yankees, [[Randy Choate]], retired following the 2016 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/02/16/sweeny-randy-choate-retirement/|title = Randy Choate, Longtime Left-Handed Relief Pitcher, Retires|date = February 16, 2017}}</ref>

From 2002 through 2007, the Yankees' misfortune in the postseason continued, with the team losing the [[2002 American League Division Series|ALDS]] to the [[2002 Anaheim Angels season|Anaheim Angels]] in 2002, the [[2003 World Series|World Series]] to the [[2003 Florida Marlins season|Florida Marlins]] in 2003, the [[2004 American League Championship Series|ALCS]] to the [[2004 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] (in the process becoming the first team in postseason history to blow a 3–0 series lead) in 2004, the [[2005 American League Division Series|ALDS]] again to the [[2005 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim season|Angels]] in 2005, and then losing the ALDS to the [[2006 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] and the [[2007 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] in [[2006 American League Division Series|2006]] and [[2007 American League Division Series|2007]], respectively. In addition, including the World Series loss in 2001, every World Series champion from 2001 to 2004 won the title at the Yankees' expense in postseason play, which is an AL record and as of [[2023 Major League Baseball season|2023]] tied for the MLB record with the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] from 2016 to 2019.  [[Joe Torre]]'s contract was allowed to expire and he was replaced by [[Joe Girardi]] in 2008, a season in which the Yankees would miss the playoffs for the first time since 1993. The Yankees won their 27th World Series championship in 2009, defeating the defending [[2008 World Series|2008 champion]] [[2009 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] in six games, but could not pull off another dynasty like they did during the late 1990s and early 2000s; in fact, they failed to reach the World Series during the entirety of the 2010s. The Yankees would finally return to the World Series in [[2024 World Series|2024]] only to fall in five games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since 2001, the Yankees have played in four World Series and lost three of them ('01, [[2003 World Series|'03]], '24)

This remains the only championship among the [[major professional sports teams of the United States and Canada|four major North American men's professional sports]] won by a Arizona-based team. The [[NBA]]’s [[Phoenix Suns]] would make the [[NBA Finals]] three times in their history ([[1976 NBA Finals|1976]], [[1993 NBA Finals|1993]], [[2021 NBA Finals|2021]]), but lost all three in six games. The [[NFL]]’s [[Arizona Cardinals]] made the [[Super Bowl]] in [[Super Bowl XLIII|2009]], but narrowly lost to the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]. The [[NHL]]’s [[Arizona Coyotes]] never made the [[Stanley Cup Final]]. However, the [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]]'s [[Phoenix Mercury]] have won three championships since then ([[2007 Phoenix Mercury season|2007]], [[2009 Phoenix Mercury season|2009]], and [[2014 Phoenix Mercury season|2014]]).

The Diamondbacks and the [[2000 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]], who won the [[Super Bowl XXXV|Super Bowl]] earlier in 2001, created the first instance of two major sports teams winning a championship game or series on their first attempts.  This would not occur again until 2019, when two first time attempt champions won: the [[2018–19 Toronto Raptors season|Toronto Raptors]] and [[2019 Washington Nationals season|Washington Nationals]].

The Diamondbacks would not return to the World Series again until [[2023 World Series|2023]]; this time, they would go on to lose to the [[2023 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] in five games.

==Quotes==
{{blockquote|Floater, center field! The Diamondbacks are world champions!|[[Joe Buck]] of Fox Sports calling [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder, born 1967)|Luis Gonzalez]]'s series-winning RBI single}}

==See also==
* [[2001 Japan Series]]
* [[Golden pitch]]

== General sources ==
* {{cite web |author=Forman, Sean L. |title=2001 World Series |work=Baseball-Reference.com – Major League Statistics and Information. |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2001_WS.shtml |access-date=December 9, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071203014004/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2001_WS.shtml| archive-date= December 3, 2007 | url-status= live}}

== Citations ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{WSExtLinks|year=2001}}
* [http://www.euchner.us: Book on 2001 WS is "the last word on the inside game of baseball"]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20011008213831/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/2001/postseason/ SI.com: MLB Postseason 2001]
* [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/01play/index.htm USA Today: Quest for a Title]
* [http://www.sportsline.com/u/baseball/mlb/2001/playoffs/ CBS Sportsline: 2001 MLB Playoffs]

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