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

Diamondbacks Notes: August 14, 2008 (Late Edition)

* WASHED OUT -- Batting third and playing RF for the Sidewinders on Thursday evening, Justin Upton went 1-for-2 with a two-run, two-out single.  Tucson had jumped to a 5-3 lead through three innings, but Mother Nature intervened and the game was suspended due to rain.  The game will be made up on August 27, by which point Upton should be back with Diamondbacks.  Officially, Upton is 5-for-12 with a double, an RBI and two strikeouts on his rehab assignment, although we at DBN will always wonder what might have been but for the stormy skies in Colorado Springs.  Upton may have scuffled in May and June with the parent club, but AAA pitching has so far been no match for his powers.  Weather permitting, the Sidewinders and Sky Sox will start fresh on Friday before our farmhands head back to the Old Pueblo.

* NICE SOUVENIR -- If anyone is curious, JUp is sporting No. 24 on his Sidewinders jersey.  Since Justin will not be long for the minors and the AAA franchise plans to leave Tucson...

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Tags: Aaron Cunningham, Adam Dunn, Bob Brenly, Bob Melvin, Brett Anderson, Carlos Gonzalez, Carlos Quentin, Chris B. Young, Chris Burke, Chris Carter, Clint Barmes, Dallas Buck, Dan Haren, Emilio Bonifacio, Eric Byrnes, Greg Smith, Justin Upton, Micah Owings, Mobile BayBears, Reno Aces, Tucson Sidewinders