Expansion Baseball in the Dessert - Arizona Diamondbacks 1998 and Beyond

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 01:52 PM

Hello Fellow Fantatics!

I love online play and I love expansion teams! Maybe I'm just a masochist, but I love that feeling of a blank slate. The chance to build something from the ground up.

I recently joined a great league, the Sandlot Baseball Legends, and took over the struggling Colorado Rockies. The goal was to prepare the way for a new GM when I took over the 1998 Arizona Diamondbacks as the league expanded at the appropriate time.

The following (for the 3 of you still reading) is meant to be a chronicle of the Arizona franchise from inception to (hopefully) World Series champs ... someday. It's written loosely as a series of newspaper articles from The Arizona Republic.

Enjoy!

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 02:02 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: November 22, 1997

Newest Addition to Major League Baseball – Arizona Diamondbacks

After months of preparation, the front office of the newly formed Arizona Diamondbacks headed to the draft room to form the newest addition to the National League West Division. Hopes were high, but the history of past expansion drafts tempered the expectations of the gathered baseball cognoscenti.

The Arizona Diamondback GM and front office personnel were amazed at the talent available.

The very first Arizona Diamondback in franchise history with the first overall pick in the 1998 expansion draft was 27 year old left-handed starting pitcher Mike Wolverton drafted from the Atlanta Braves.

The full list of expansion picks is as follows:

Round Position Player Former Team

1 SP Mike Wolverton Atlanta Braves
2 2B Shane Scott St. Louis Cardinals
3 RP Jonathan Johnson California Angels
4 SP Mark Gubicza San Francisco Giants
5 2B Carlos Garza Toronto Blue Jays
6 SP James Baldwin Kansas City Royals
7 SP Ryan Rupe Texas Rangers
8 RP Jay Oberholzer California Angels
9 LF Jeff Frye Pittsburg Pirates
10 LF Troy O’Leary Minnesota Twins
11 SS Glenn Williams Texas Rangers
12 1B Jeff Branson Florida Marlins
13 SP Brickard Kelly Philadelphia Phillies
14 C Darron Cox Milwaukee Brewers
15 RP Jose Mercedes Montréal Expos
16 CF Kerwin Moore Kansas City Royals
17 RP Dan Williams Pittsburg Pirates
18 RP Joe Stalcup Minnesota Twins
19 CF Rod Lindsey Cleveland Indians
20 RP Jim Mann Toronto Blue Jays
21 SS Todd Walker Cincinnati Reds
22 RP Brandon Kolb Atlanta Braves
23 LF Eduardo Perez St. Louis Cardinals
24 RP Brian Barber Milwaukee Brewers
25 RP Brad Cornett New York Yankees
26 RP Blas Minor Chicago White Sox
27 1B Ryan Jackson Detroit Tigers
28 C Dusty Wathan Colorado Rockies
29 C Lenny Webster New York Yankees
30 1B Eric Pickett Milwaukee Brewers
31 SP David Gray Seattle Mariners
32 SP Mark Willoughby Florida Marlins
33 LF Chris Stynes San Diego Padres
34 SS Danny Klassen St. Louis Cardinals
35 3B Lou Merloni Houston Astros
36 CF Tony Boyette Milwaukee Brewers
37 LF Matt Hoffman Detroit Tigers
38 RP Sean Runyan Kansas City Royals
39 RP Brian Williams Kansas City Royals
40 SP Jason Bushway Chicago White Sox
41 RF Armando Rios Cincinnati Reds
42 CF Joe Driggs Detroit Tigers
43 SS Mike Benjamin Texas Rangers
44 SS Jim Clark Chicago White Sox
45 RP Shane Bowers Texas Rangers
46 SS Luis Garcia Houston Astros
47 RF Andy Abad Chicago Cubs
48 RP Marc Pisciotta San Diego Padres
49 RP Ben Ford New York Mets
50 3B Gabe Alvarez Los Angeles Dodgers
51 SS Juan Castro Los Angeles Dodgers
52 SP Darrell May Los Angeles Dodgers
53 SS Jay Canizaro Montréal Expos
54 CF Josh Cunningham Baltimore Orioles
55 3B Jon Harles Houston Astros
56 LF Todd Dunn Baltimore Orioles

SP Brickyard Kelly was quickly dealt to the Florida Marlins for superstar C prospect Ryan Doumit.

Baseball fever is running hot in the dessert of America’s Southwest!

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 02:03 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 2, 1998

Diamondbacks Thrashed by Cubs – Lose Opening Game of First Spring Training

The Arizona Diamondbacks took the field for the first time with high hopes. The ball was handed to veteran Mark Guicza to start Arizona’s historic first major league game. Gubicza was selected 4th overall in the recent expansion draft.

Nothing went according to the script and the Diamondbacks were handed a tough 14-6 loss to begin their life in the Major Leagues.

In spite of the crushing loss, a number of major league franchise firsts were recorded:

First Hit: 1B Jeff Branson off Angel Miranda
First 2B: Todd Walker off Marty Jantzen in the 9th inning
First Run: 1B Jeff Branson
First RBI: OF Jeff Frye off Angel Miranda

First DP
Turned: Garza (2B) to Scott (SS) to Branson (1B) in the 2nd inning

First K: RP Johnathan Johnson, Shane Spencer in the 4th inning

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 02:04 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 3, 1998

Diamondbacks Win Spring Training Home Opener!

SP Mark Willoughby took the mound for the first ever game in Bank One Ballpark and secured a 5-1 win over the Florida Marlins allowing just the one earned run in 4 innings while fanning 3 and walking 3.

Arizona wracked up the following franchise firsts on their way to victory:

First 3B: OF Armando Rios off SP Jeff Suppan in the 4th inning
First HR: OF Eduardo Perez off RP Rich Loiselle in the 7th inning

First Win: SP Mark Willoughby

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 02:04 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 4, 1998

Diamondbacks Win Again! Overpower Giants 11-8

It was all about the offense on Wednesday, but one additional franchise first was recorded:

First Save: RP Ray King who recorded the final 3 outs giving up no hits and no runs and striking out 1

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 02:05 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 10, 1998

Diamondbacks Sign First Free Agents, RP Stan Belinda and LF Tony Longmire

Both popular veterans were signed today and fan reaction was immediately enthusiastic. It is clear that ownership is serious about bringing a winner to the Arizona dessert.

Both Belinda and Longmire signed one-year deals worth $950,000 and $2,400,000 respectively.

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 02:05 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 18, 1998

Star Thirdbaseman Mike Greenwell Signs with Arizona!

Late yesterday evening, the Diamondbacks came to terms with Greenwell signing the star to a $2.4 million one-year deal. This makes the third high profile signing of the off-season. The signing has further fired up the already eager fans in Phoenix.

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 02:05 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 2, 1998

Diamondbacks Wrap Up Spring Training with 12-3 Win over Dodgers

The Arizona Diamondbacks finished Spring Training with a record of 13-17 finishing 3 games back of the Western Division leading San Francisco Giants. Mark Gubicza picked up the win pitching 4 solid innings allowing 0 runs on 2 hits while recording 3 Ks and 2 free passes.

Two more major league franchise firsts were recorded during the balance of Spring Training:

First SB: OF Matt Hoffman against the Atlanta Braves on March 8, 1998
First Grand
Slam HR: OF Eduardo Perez off the Cubs’ RP Danny Graves on March 18, 1998

The first ever Grand Slam hit by an Arizona Diamondback was particularly momentous as it resulted in a 5-2 walk-off victory against the Chicago ball club before a small, but mighty number of 5,000 rabid hometown fans.

Monarch3 · 07-07-2018, 02:06 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 5, 1998

Donnie Baseball Comes to Phoenix!

On the eve of Opening Day tomorrow in Philadelphia, the Diamonbacks excitedly announced a blockbuster trade with Montréal that would bring baseball legend Don Mattingly to Arizona.

Arizona sent IF Gabe Alvarez to Montréal in exchange for Mattingly and minor league IF Ty Wigginton. Montréal also agreed to retain 50% of Mattingly’s $5 million 1998 salary. Wigginton is a highly touted prospect and GM, Philip Hubbard, made it clear that acquiring his services was a crucial part of the deal.

If Phoenix wasn’t already fired up for the beginning of “real” regular season baseball, it certainly is now! The city is practically ablaze with Diamondback fever.

Let the games begin. Play ball!!!

Monarch3 · 07-12-2018, 09:04 AM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 10, 1998

Arizona Drops Home Opener

Yesterday 42,055 Arizonans showed up to watch their long-awaited Diamondbacks open play at home, but they went home disappointed. Their boys, sporting the purple and teal, yielded to the San Diego Padres 4-2.

No one expects to win them all, but it would have been nice to notch a win in the very first SBL game played in Phoenix.

Still, the fans did get a thrill watching 3B Mike Greenwell hit the first Arizona home run in Bank One Ballpark, giving hope for the future to the rabid fans in Phoenix and across Arizona.

Monarch3 · 07-12-2018, 09:04 AM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 20, 1998

Arizona Begins Play – Longmire Hot!

The Arizona Diamondbacks have finally begun playing games that count going 3-10 in their first 13 games in franchise history. The team opened with straight losses not notching their first victory until April 10 when they downed the San Diego Padres 7-3.

Everyone in Arizona is rejoicing over the signing of free agent Tony Longmire. Longmire is off to a torrid start going 20-44 for a .455 average while recording 5 home runs, 4 doubles and driving in 11. Todd Walker is the other offensive stand out hitting .305 (18 for 59) with 1 home run, 3 doubles, a triple, and 7 RBI.

Among the faster starts in the starting rotation are Jason Bushway and Mark Gubicza. Bushway has 2 of the 3 Diamondback wins with an ERA of 2.63 over 13.2 innings. Walks could be a real problem, however, as he has 7 strikeouts vs. 9 walks thus far in the young season. The veteran Mark Gubicza is 0-1 with a 3.32 ERA over 19 innings and has the same issue with walks. He has struck out 11, but walked 8.

Now that the Diamondbacks are playing regular season games, a number of firsts were recorded for the Diamondbacks in these first 13 games:

Hit: LF Tony Longmire off Greg Maddux in Philadelphia on 4/6/98
Double: LF Tony Longmire off Greg Maddux in Philadelphia on 4/6/98
Triple:2B Shane Scott off Chris Carpenter (Pitt) in Arizona on 4/12/98
HR: LF Tony Longmire off Greg Maddux in Philadelphia on 4/6/98
RBI: LF Tony Longmire off Greg Maddux in Philadelphia on 4/6/98
SB: 3B Mike Greenwell in Philadelphia on 4/6/98

K: SP Mike Wolverton (Kenny Lofton) in Philadelphia on 4/6/98
Win: SP Jason Bushway vs. Padres in Arizona on 4/10/98
Save: CL Stan Belinda vs. Padres in Arizona on 4/10/98

DP: Walker (2B) to Scott (SS) to Mattingly (1B) in Philadelphia on 4/8/98

Monarch3 · 07-12-2018, 09:05 AM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 20, 1998

Donnie Baseball Chases 3,000

Everyone is rooting for Donnie Baseball, veteran Don Mattingly, to break through to the 3,000 hit club in his first season with the Diamondbacks. One rabid fan even purchased a billboard to announceMattingly’s progress to this lofty goal.

After today’s game, the billboard is being updated to read:

Donnie Baseball Chases 3,000
Only 192 Hits to Go!

threesportgeek · 07-12-2018, 09:18 AM

Is the expansion a dessert?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dessert

or a desert?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert

Seeing potential here for either.

Monarch3 · 07-12-2018, 06:56 PM

Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 27, 1998

Diamondbacks Continue to Struggle

The past 7 days have not been kind to the newly minted Arizona Diamondbacks. Over the week, the D’Backs won only 1 while losing the remaining 6. Some consolation may be taken in knowing that 2 of those losses were by the scant difference of 1 run. Perhaps one more well-timed hit or two or an inning ending double play turned against an opponent may have turned the tide and the tally would be 3-4.

On a brighter note, the billboard outside Bank One Ballpark now reads:

Donnie Baseball Chases 3,000
Only 186 Hits to Go!

Monarch3 · 07-12-2018, 06:57 PM

Edited the thread name for correct spelling of desert. lol

07-07-2018, 01:52 PM	#1
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Expansion Baseball in the Desert - Arizona Diamondbacks 1998 and Beyond Hello Fellow Fantatics! I love online play and I love expansion teams! Maybe I'm just a masochist, but I love that feeling of a blank slate. The chance to build something from the ground up. I recently joined a great league, the Sandlot Baseball Legends, and took over the struggling Colorado Rockies. The goal was to prepare the way for a new GM when I took over the 1998 Arizona Diamondbacks as the league expanded at the appropriate time. The following (for the 3 of you still reading) is meant to be a chronicle of the Arizona franchise from inception to (hopefully) World Series champs ... someday. It's written loosely as a series of newspaper articles from The Arizona Republic. Enjoy! Last edited by Monarch3; 07-12-2018 at 07:00 PM.

07-07-2018, 02:02 PM	#2
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: November 22, 1997 Newest Addition to Major League Baseball – Arizona Diamondbacks After months of preparation, the front office of the newly formed Arizona Diamondbacks headed to the draft room to form the newest addition to the National League West Division. Hopes were high, but the history of past expansion drafts tempered the expectations of the gathered baseball cognoscenti. The Arizona Diamondback GM and front office personnel were amazed at the talent available. The very first Arizona Diamondback in franchise history with the first overall pick in the 1998 expansion draft was 27 year old left-handed starting pitcher Mike Wolverton drafted from the Atlanta Braves. The full list of expansion picks is as follows: Round Position Player Former Team 1 SP Mike Wolverton Atlanta Braves 2 2B Shane Scott St. Louis Cardinals 3 RP Jonathan Johnson California Angels 4 SP Mark Gubicza San Francisco Giants 5 2B Carlos Garza Toronto Blue Jays 6 SP James Baldwin Kansas City Royals 7 SP Ryan Rupe Texas Rangers 8 RP Jay Oberholzer California Angels 9 LF Jeff Frye Pittsburg Pirates 10 LF Troy O’Leary Minnesota Twins 11 SS Glenn Williams Texas Rangers 12 1B Jeff Branson Florida Marlins 13 SP Brickard Kelly Philadelphia Phillies 14 C Darron Cox Milwaukee Brewers 15 RP Jose Mercedes Montréal Expos 16 CF Kerwin Moore Kansas City Royals 17 RP Dan Williams Pittsburg Pirates 18 RP Joe Stalcup Minnesota Twins 19 CF Rod Lindsey Cleveland Indians 20 RP Jim Mann Toronto Blue Jays 21 SS Todd Walker Cincinnati Reds 22 RP Brandon Kolb Atlanta Braves 23 LF Eduardo Perez St. Louis Cardinals 24 RP Brian Barber Milwaukee Brewers 25 RP Brad Cornett New York Yankees 26 RP Blas Minor Chicago White Sox 27 1B Ryan Jackson Detroit Tigers 28 C Dusty Wathan Colorado Rockies 29 C Lenny Webster New York Yankees 30 1B Eric Pickett Milwaukee Brewers 31 SP David Gray Seattle Mariners 32 SP Mark Willoughby Florida Marlins 33 LF Chris Stynes San Diego Padres 34 SS Danny Klassen St. Louis Cardinals 35 3B Lou Merloni Houston Astros 36 CF Tony Boyette Milwaukee Brewers 37 LF Matt Hoffman Detroit Tigers 38 RP Sean Runyan Kansas City Royals 39 RP Brian Williams Kansas City Royals 40 SP Jason Bushway Chicago White Sox 41 RF Armando Rios Cincinnati Reds 42 CF Joe Driggs Detroit Tigers 43 SS Mike Benjamin Texas Rangers 44 SS Jim Clark Chicago White Sox 45 RP Shane Bowers Texas Rangers 46 SS Luis Garcia Houston Astros 47 RF Andy Abad Chicago Cubs 48 RP Marc Pisciotta San Diego Padres 49 RP Ben Ford New York Mets 50 3B Gabe Alvarez Los Angeles Dodgers 51 SS Juan Castro Los Angeles Dodgers 52 SP Darrell May Los Angeles Dodgers 53 SS Jay Canizaro Montréal Expos 54 CF Josh Cunningham Baltimore Orioles 55 3B Jon Harles Houston Astros 56 LF Todd Dunn Baltimore Orioles SP Brickyard Kelly was quickly dealt to the Florida Marlins for superstar C prospect Ryan Doumit. Baseball fever is running hot in the dessert of America’s Southwest! Last edited by Monarch3; 07-07-2018 at 02:08 PM.

07-07-2018, 02:03 PM	#3
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 2, 1998 Diamondbacks Thrashed by Cubs – Lose Opening Game of First Spring Training The Arizona Diamondbacks took the field for the first time with high hopes. The ball was handed to veteran Mark Guicza to start Arizona’s historic first major league game. Gubicza was selected 4th overall in the recent expansion draft. Nothing went according to the script and the Diamondbacks were handed a tough 14-6 loss to begin their life in the Major Leagues. In spite of the crushing loss, a number of major league franchise firsts were recorded: First Hit: 1B Jeff Branson off Angel Miranda First 2B: Todd Walker off Marty Jantzen in the 9th inning First Run: 1B Jeff Branson First RBI: OF Jeff Frye off Angel Miranda First DP Turned: Garza (2B) to Scott (SS) to Branson (1B) in the 2nd inning First K: RP Johnathan Johnson, Shane Spencer in the 4th inning Last edited by Monarch3; 07-07-2018 at 02:08 PM.

07-07-2018, 02:04 PM	#4
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 3, 1998 Diamondbacks Win Spring Training Home Opener! SP Mark Willoughby took the mound for the first ever game in Bank One Ballpark and secured a 5-1 win over the Florida Marlins allowing just the one earned run in 4 innings while fanning 3 and walking 3. Arizona wracked up the following franchise firsts on their way to victory: First 3B: OF Armando Rios off SP Jeff Suppan in the 4th inning First HR: OF Eduardo Perez off RP Rich Loiselle in the 7th inning First Win: SP Mark Willoughby Last edited by Monarch3; 07-07-2018 at 02:08 PM.

07-07-2018, 02:04 PM	#5
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 4, 1998 Diamondbacks Win Again! Overpower Giants 11-8 It was all about the offense on Wednesday, but one additional franchise first was recorded: First Save: RP Ray King who recorded the final 3 outs giving up no hits and no runs and striking out 1 Last edited by Monarch3; 07-07-2018 at 02:08 PM.

07-07-2018, 02:05 PM	#6
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: March 10, 1998 Diamondbacks Sign First Free Agents, RP Stan Belinda and LF Tony Longmire Both popular veterans were signed today and fan reaction was immediately enthusiastic. It is clear that ownership is serious about bringing a winner to the Arizona dessert. Both Belinda and Longmire signed one-year deals worth $950,000 and $2,400,000 respectively. Last edited by Monarch3; 07-07-2018 at 02:07 PM.

07-07-2018, 02:06 PM	#9
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 5, 1998 Donnie Baseball Comes to Phoenix! On the eve of Opening Day tomorrow in Philadelphia, the Diamonbacks excitedly announced a blockbuster trade with Montréal that would bring baseball legend Don Mattingly to Arizona. Arizona sent IF Gabe Alvarez to Montréal in exchange for Mattingly and minor league IF Ty Wigginton. Montréal also agreed to retain 50% of Mattingly’s $5 million 1998 salary. Wigginton is a highly touted prospect and GM, Philip Hubbard, made it clear that acquiring his services was a crucial part of the deal. If Phoenix wasn’t already fired up for the beginning of “real” regular season baseball, it certainly is now! The city is practically ablaze with Diamondback fever. Let the games begin. Play ball!!!

07-12-2018, 09:04 AM	#10
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 10, 1998 Arizona Drops Home Opener Yesterday 42,055 Arizonans showed up to watch their long-awaited Diamondbacks open play at home, but they went home disappointed. Their boys, sporting the purple and teal, yielded to the San Diego Padres 4-2. No one expects to win them all, but it would have been nice to notch a win in the very first SBL game played in Phoenix. Still, the fans did get a thrill watching 3B Mike Greenwell hit the first Arizona home run in Bank One Ballpark, giving hope for the future to the rabid fans in Phoenix and across Arizona. Last edited by Monarch3; 07-12-2018 at 09:06 AM.

07-12-2018, 09:05 AM	#12
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 20, 1998 Donnie Baseball Chases 3,000 Everyone is rooting for Donnie Baseball, veteran Don Mattingly, to break through to the 3,000 hit club in his first season with the Diamondbacks. One rabid fan even purchased a billboard to announceMattingly’s progress to this lofty goal. After today’s game, the billboard is being updated to read: Donnie Baseball Chases 3,000 Only 192 Hits to Go!

07-12-2018, 09:18 AM	#13
threesportgeek Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 109	Is the expansion a dessert? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dessert or a desert? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert Seeing potential here for either.

07-12-2018, 06:56 PM	#14
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Dateline Phoenix, Arizona: April 27, 1998 Diamondbacks Continue to Struggle The past 7 days have not been kind to the newly minted Arizona Diamondbacks. Over the week, the D’Backs won only 1 while losing the remaining 6. Some consolation may be taken in knowing that 2 of those losses were by the scant difference of 1 run. Perhaps one more well-timed hit or two or an inning ending double play turned against an opponent may have turned the tide and the tally would be 3-4. On a brighter note, the billboard outside Bank One Ballpark now reads: Donnie Baseball Chases 3,000 Only 186 Hits to Go!

07-12-2018, 06:57 PM	#15
Monarch3 Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 66	Edited the thread name for correct spelling of desert. lol Last edited by Monarch3; 07-12-2018 at 07:05 PM.