2009 DIAMONDBACKS SEASON PREVIEW - PART III

* WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN - As a franchise, the Diamondbacks' age, payroll and record rocketed sky-high on the way to their 2001 World Series victory. Those expensive, aging veterans that won Arizona's first major professional title began to fall from the stratosphere in the seasons to follow. The 2002 Diamondbacks (98-65) managed to repeat as NL West champs, but were swept 3-0 in a NLDS rematch with St. Louis. By 2003, Arizona would slip to a third-place finish at 84-78 behind a half-hearted mix of veterans and youngsters.

Fortunately, Arizona had found its cornerstone in Brandon Webb, whose sinker opponents were helpless but to pound into the infield grass. Drafted in 2000 while the "old" school roster was still ascendant, Webb would make his debut in 2003 and come to exemplify the Diamondbacks' new strategy: to win by developing its own talent. Another pair of building blocks joined the organization that year with the selections of Conor Jackson and Carlos Quentin....

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Tags: 2001 World Series, Adam Dunn, Al Pedrique, Bob Brenly, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Webb, Carlos Quentin, Chad Tracy, Chicago White Sox, Chris B. Young, Chris Snyder, Colorado Rockies, Conor Jackson, Craig Counsell, Curt Schilling, Dan Haren, Daniel Schlereth, Doug Slaten, Gerardo Parra, Jarrod Parker, Jerry Colangelo, Joe Garagiola Jr., Josh Byrnes, Justin Upton, Los Angeles Dodgers, Luis Gonzalez, Manny Ramirez, Mark Reynolds, Max Scherzer, Micah Owings, Miguel Montero, Randy Johnson, Richie Sexson, Shawn Green, Stephen Drew, Tony Pena, Troy Glaus