Diamondbacks dethrone dynasty

If you took a poll and asked anyone what they thought was the best World Series of all time, you would get replies ranging from the 1975 Red Sox-Reds (only because of Carlton Fisk's wave during his game 6 home run) to the '86 Mets-Red Sox (Bill Buckner still can't get a beer in Beantown), or the 1991 Series between Atlanta and Minnesota (how Jack Morris pitched those 10 innings is still a mystery to this day).

Move over, boys, now you've got company.

Throughout the 2001 World Series between New York and Arizona, we had everything in this series that the fans or Fox could ask for. Dominant pitching from Arizona's two horses of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling set the pace for the beginning of this series. After the series went to the Bronx, the D'Backs ran into New York's supposed mystique and aura, as Arizona closer Byong Hong Kim became Dennis Eckersley redux by serving up not one, but two, ninth inning homeruns and put the Yankees right back into the series.

Arizona routed the Yankees in game six 15-2 to set up what is sure to be an ESPN classic Game 7 on Sunday at the BOB. Curt Schilling, who was once again going on three days rest, was going up against the man he feels got his career on the right track, Roger Clemens. Questions abound if Schilling would be able to shut down New York for a third time, or if New York's bats would decide to make the trip out west in time to win their fourth straight championship.

For most of the game, the aces were hitting their stride by having their way with the hitters. In the top of the eighth, with the score tied 1-1, Curt Schilling served up a home run to Yankee second baseman Alfonso Soriano, who was the Game 5 hero. As the ball went sailing over the fence, you could almost hear an entire nation groan "Here we go again," in unison. New York had a one-run lead late in a ballgame and arguably the greatest postseason reliever in history in Mariano Rivera coming up in a save situation.

But, before we were going to hear another trophy acceptance speech from Lord Steinbrenner, Arizona decided to make like the Yankees and stage their own ninth-inning comeback special. After a botched throw by Rivera to second on a bunt attempt, D'Backs' second baseman Tony Womack hit an RBI double to tie the game. You could almost feel the desert heat rise up and get the feeling that maybe it was time for Arizona to display the mystique that only the BOB can provide (must be from that pool). After Craig Counsell was plunked, Luis Gonzalez went from possible goat to dynasty killer with a game-winning single. Game over, series over, theeeeeeeee D'Backs win.

Across the nation you could almost hear a collective sigh of relief as Damian Miller crossed home plate, as if Goliath had finally been slain. Of course, he never had to face a 98-mph fastball, which was what the Yankees had to deal with the course of this series. Whether it was from Johnson, Schilling or any of the Arizona starters, they did their part in slaying the Yankee dynasty.

Despite what everyone thought about the two Yankee comebacks, it was not scripted. It just came down to great hitting and bad pitching (kudos to the Arizona fans for supporting Byong-Hong Eckersley after his smashing performance in the Bronx). What happened in Game 7 also came down to timely hitting on the part of Arizona, along with some great pitching from Schilling, who made critics eat their words about how he couldn't handle pitching on three days rest.

Say what you want about Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly, but he managed this thing as a seven game series. He knew that if he didn't start Schilling in Game 4 then he wouldn't have him ready for Game 7. Even thought Kim had blown the two save opportunities, Brenly knew that if Johnson could hold serve in Game 6, then it would come down to only one more game. Mystique or no, he had New York where he wanted them: in a seventh game with his ace going on the hill.

Now that we're going into next season with new champions, what becomes of the Yankees? Paul O'Neill might retire after this season. Also, Tino Martinez, Chuck Knoblauch, Scott Brosius and Orlando Hernandez are free agents who might be handed their walking papers. With prospects Nick Johnson and Drew Henson coming on board, this team may have a decidedly different look next season. However, if we know anything about the Yankees, it's that Steinbrenner won't rest until he has the players that only his megabucks can obtain. Is that Jason Giambi I hear making a trip eastward?

As for Arizona, it'll take a lot for this geritol bunch to maintain their title. With teams like the Giants and Dodgers threatening to take their division crown next year, they might need some more career seasons in order to just be competitive. Also, with owner Jerry Colangelo facing major debt with this team it will be a challenge to obtain any other players who might be able to contribute right away.

But, that's something they can deal with when they get to the offseason. Now is the time to celebrate their first championship. Time to reflect on accomplishing a task that only the Cleveland Indians have done since 1996, eliminate the Yankees from the postseason.

This World Series had everything from dominant pitching, ninth inning heroics, and to top it off, a Game 7 classic that will be remembered for years to come. When people talk about a classic World Series, this will be mentioned among the greatest of all time.

In my mind, three simple words: Best Series Ever!