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

2009 DIAMONDBACKS SEASON PREVIEW - PART I

* BUILDING UP TO OPENING DAY - With Opening Day 2009 fast approaching, Diamondbacks Nation is very pleased to begin its first full season providing news and commentary by and for fans of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Today brings the first installment of our 2009 season preview. 

We believe that to understand and evaluate the Diamondbacks of 2009, one must recognize where this club has been and how the current edition came to be.  So before we take a look at the season to come, Diamondbacks Nation will try to put things into an historical context.  Our preview of the 2009 season begins with a look way back to the early days of our favorite team.

We will then fast-forward to the club in the present day, focusing on the winter moves and the season schedule; the rotation and bullpen; the position players, bench and batting order.  We'll dig deeper, with a review of the front office, field management, and minor league operations.  And we will finish our run-up the 2009 campaign by...

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Tags: Boston Red Sox, Brad Penny, Cactus League, Chicago Cubs, Curt Schilling, David Dellucci, Jay Bell, Jerry Colangelo, Luis Gonzalez, Matt Mantei, Matt Williams, Randy Johnson, Steve Finley, Tony Womack, Travis Lee