The 2001 Diamondbacks’ group chat is buzzing ahead of anniversary

“The banter has already started,” as if it had ever stopped.

The 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks are coming back to Chase Field to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their World Series victory on Saturday, and while the players are eager to reunite, they haven’t stopped giving each other a hard time.

“We still have that group chain and we bust chops,” outfielder Luis Gonzalez told Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke. “Tomorrow and the next day when everybody comes into town and we’re together up there, guys will walk in the room and it’ll be like we hadn’t seen each other in less than 24 hours.”

“We’re back in the clubhouse all the time, but it’s one thing to do it on text. It’s going to be extra special for all of us to be there in person,” outfielder Steve Finley told Bickley & Marotta.

The 2001 Diamondbacks group chat ranges from players to staffers, coaches and even former team owner and Valley sports Godfather Jerry Colangelo.

Several players have pointed to Gonzalez and reliever Greg Swindell as the ones who typically kick off dialogue. Outfielder David Dellucci said the veterans on the championship team were the glue back then and continue to be.

Between the digs (and probably loads of golf talk), there remains a lot of support in that thread for each other and their children, as several are making their ways as athletes today.

“We talk often,” pitcher Curt Schilling told Burns & Gambo. “We’re always supporting Tre Spivey down at the U of A, Junior’s son is a wide receiver and we’re always following each other’s kids. You got Bobby Witt, who’s the father of probably the MVP in the AL this year. That’s unique, that’s different. I don’t have those threads, those text chains with virtually any other team I’ve played with, so that in of itself is unique and different.”

The chat has been buzzing in the days leading up to the reunion, as Gonzalez joked that his guys are “still a pain in the ass like they were in ’01.”

Twenty-nine players are expected to attend the anniversary, along with four coaches and manager Bob Brenly. The most notable absences will be third baseman Matt Williams, who is managing the San Francisco Firebells in the Women’s Professional Baseball League, and Craig Counsell, who is managing the Chicago Cubs.

“Someone asked me how do I describe the 2001 team, and I said it’s family,” infielder Tony Womack told Bickley & Marotta. “And we have been family ever since. I mean, we’ve got a group thread, it’s funny, Mr. Colangelo is on, as well. Sometimes we’ve got to tell Gonzo to be careful what he says. So I’m like, dude, we really are family.”

Alumni from the 2001 Diamondbacks have joined Arizona Sports all week leading up to Saturday, and those interviews can be found here.

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