ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Top 25 AZ Sports Stories of 2011: #1 Diamondbacks win NL West

Jan 1, 2012, 3:49 AM | Updated: 3:55 am

The staff of ArizonaSports.com has compiled their list of the top 25
Arizona sports stories of the year 2011. We’ll be unveiling them over the
next couple of weeks all leading up to the top story of 2011.

With two consecutive last place finishes, seemingly little talent and a
manager in his first full season at the helm of the Arizona
Diamondbacks, there wasn’t a lot of optimism about the 2011 season.

Many questions existed the D-backs: who would be their number one
starter? Could the league’s worst bullpen make a significant
improvement? Will the players respond to the gritty style of manager
Kirk Gibson? Will GM Kevin Towers be able to make an immediate
impact in improving the roster? Who will play first base?

Arizona Diamondbacks

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ lack of execution spoils Jordan Montgomery outing vs. Cardinals

Jordan Montgomery's quality start gave the Arizona Diamondbacks every opportunity to break Wednesday's series finale at the Cardinals open.

54 minutes ago

Arizona Diamondbacks logo...

Haboob Blog

Diamondbacks minor leaguer accomplishes rare 5-strikeout inning

D-backs RHP prospect Jhosmer Alvarez struck out five hitters in a single inning for Single-A Visalia against the Inland Empire 66ers.

3 hours ago

Corbin Carroll swings and breaks his bat...

Arizona Sports

Corbin Carroll slides to 7th in Diamondbacks’ batting order vs. Cardinals

The Arizona Diamondbacks are shaking up the lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals with Corbin Carroll sliding down the batting order.

6 hours ago

D-backs assistant GM Mike Fitzgerald joins Wolf & Luke to discuss recent injuries to the team, incl...

Bailey Leasure

Assistant GM Mike Fitzgerald: It’s hard to read the Diamondbacks due to injuries

D-backs assistant general manager Mike Fitzgerald admitted judging Arizona has been difficult considering the rash of injuries.

7 hours ago

Pavin Smith drives in six runs as the D-backs beat the Cardinals 14-1....

Associated Press

Pavin Smith drives in 6 runs as Diamondbacks rout Cardinals

Pavin Smith hits a grand slam and drove in a career-high six runs to help the Diamondbacks to a 14-1 win over the Cardinals Tuesday.

17 hours ago

D-backs put up 14 runs in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday....

Bailey Leasure

Diamondbacks drop Cardinals with home-run party

Pavin Smith hits a grand slam as the D-backs swung early Tuesday, putting up 14 runs as they beat the Cardinals 14-1.

18 hours ago

Top 25 AZ Sports Stories of 2011: #1 Diamondbacks win NL West