History of Arizona Diamondbacks in Timeline

The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, competing in MLB's National League West division. Established in 1995 and beginning play in 1998 as an expansion team, they play their home games at Chase Field. Notably, the Diamondbacks are one of the newest teams in MLB and the youngest to win a World Series.

March 9, 1995: Franchise Established

On March 9, 1995, the Arizona Diamondbacks franchise was established in Phoenix, Arizona.

1996: Thom Brennaman Hired

In 1996, Thom Brennaman was hired by Diamondbacks founder Jerry Colangelo as the primary television play-by-play voice for the team.

January 16, 1997: Voted into the National League

On January 16, 1997, the Diamondbacks were officially voted into the National League.

March 31, 1998: First Game Played

On March 31, 1998, the Arizona Diamondbacks played their first major league game against the Colorado Rockies at Bank One Ballpark.

1998: Inaugural Season Start

From 1998, the Arizona Diamondbacks had an overall record of 2,087–2,185 (.489).

1998: Cream Uniform Debut

In 1998, the Arizona Diamondbacks introduced cream uniforms with purple pinstripes for home games.

1998: KTVK was the flagship station since the inaugural season

Since the inaugural 1998 season, KTVK (Channel 3) was the flagship station. It was a popular over-the-air independent station (and former longtime ABC affiliate) in Phoenix.

1999: First Division Championship

In 1999, the Arizona Diamondbacks won 100 games and secured their first division championship.

1999: Cap Design Changes

In 1999, the Arizona Diamondbacks' road cap became all-black with the "D-snake" logo, and the teal and cream alternate caps were discontinued.

2000: Sleeved Uniform Details

From 1998 to 2000, the Diamondbacks' primary sleeved uniform featured the full team name and chest numbers.

2001: Sleeved Uniform Change

Before the 2001 season, the sleeved uniform was changed to feature the "A" logo.

2001: World Series Win Against Yankees

In 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the World Series.

2001: Last Time in the World Series Before 2023

In 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks were in the World Series, which was their last appearance before returning in 2023.

2001: World Series Victory

In 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks won the World Series against the New York Yankees, becoming the fastest expansion team in major league history to achieve this milestone.

2001: Road Gray Uniform Update

In 2001, the Diamondbacks' road gray uniform became sleeveless with black undershirts, and the lettering scheme was updated with purple, white, copper, and black accents.

2001: Throwback Uniforms Kept

Starting in 2016, the Arizona Diamondbacks kept the throwback pinstriped sleeveless uniforms from their 2001 championship season for use during Thursday home games.

2002: Sutton with Brewers

Before joining the Diamondbacks, Daron Sutton was the TV voice of the Milwaukee Brewers since 2002.

2002: Alternate Purple Uniform Discontinued

The alternate home purple uniform was worn until 2002.

2004: Sleeve Logo Change

Until 2004, the snake logo with the full team name was on the left sleeve of all four uniforms; after this year, it became exclusive to the road black uniform.

2005: Stadium Renamed Chase Field

In 2005, Bank One Ballpark was renamed Chase Field following the merger of Bank One Corporation with JPMorgan Chase & Co.

October 2006: Brennaman Leaves Diamondbacks

In October 2006, Thom Brennaman left the Diamondbacks to call games with his father for the Reds.

November 1, 2006: Daron Sutton Hired

On November 1, 2006, Daron Sutton was hired as the Diamondbacks primary TV play-by-play voice.

November 8, 2006: New Uniforms and Colors Unveiled

On November 8, 2006, the Arizona Diamondbacks unveiled new uniforms and colors of Sedona red, Sonoran sand, and black.

2006: Color Analysts for the Season

For the 2006 season, Mark Grace and Tom Candiotti were the Diamondbacks primary color analysts.

July 2007: Diamondbacks TV games to be shown exclusively on Fox Sports Arizona

In July 2007, the Diamondbacks announced that starting in the 2008 season, all regionally broadcast Diamondbacks TV games would be shown exclusively on Fox Sports Arizona (now Bally Sports Arizona), with a few possibly appearing on the national MLB on Fox telecasts.

2007: Color Analysts for the Season

For the 2007 season, Mark Grace and Tom Candiotti were the Diamondbacks primary color analysts.

2007: Brennaman Starts with Reds

In 2007, Thom Brennaman started calling games with his father for the Cincinnati Reds.

2009: Grace and Sutton became the main broadcasters

In 2009, Grace and Sutton were named the main broadcasters for the Diamondbacks, hosting pre-game and post-game shows on Fox Sports Arizona.

2009: Spanish broadcasts ended with KPHE-LP

Prior to the 2009 season, the arrangement to televise games in Spanish on KPHE-LP ended due to the team switching fully to Fox Sports Arizona and KPHE-LP's lack of carriage on Cox cable system.

June 21, 2012: Sutton suspended amid rumors of insubordination

On June 21, 2012, Sutton was suspended indefinitely amid rumors of insubordination.

October 18, 2012: Bob Brenly to replace Grace as broadcaster

On October 18, 2012, the team announced that Bob Brenly would return as a broadcaster to replace Grace, joined by Steve Berthiaume.

2012: Astros Color Scheme Reference

Arizona's updated color scheme bore a striking resemblance to the Houston Astros' color scheme that the Astros used until 2012.

2012: Grace and Sutton served as main broadcasters until 2012

From 2009 until 2012, Grace and Sutton were the main broadcasters for the Diamondbacks, with pre-game and post-game shows on Fox Sports Arizona.

September 19, 2013: Dodgers clinched the division and celebrated in Chase Field pool

On September 19, 2013, after eliminating the Diamondbacks and clinching the division, multiple Dodgers players celebrated the win by jumping into the pool at Chase Field, escalating the rivalry.

2013: Sutton and Grace not returning for 2013 season

At the end of the 2012 season, the team announced that neither Sutton nor Grace would return for the 2013 season.

2013: Alternate Black Uniform with "Arizona"

In 2013, the alternate black uniform with "Arizona" written in red with black and sand trim was introduced as a tribute to the victims of the Yarnell Hill Fire.

2016: Teal Reintroduction and New Uniforms

Before the 2016 season, the Diamondbacks reincorporated teal into their color scheme and unveiled eight different uniform combinations.

2016: Jeff Munn's time as a backup radio play-by-play announcer ended

Jeff Munn served as a backup radio play-by-play announcer until 2016.

2017: Diamondbacks swept by Dodgers in 2017 NLDS

In 2017, the Diamondbacks were swept 3–0 by the Dodgers in the National League Division Series, as the Dodgers advanced to the World Series that season.

2020: Uniform Redesigns and Changes

Starting with the 2020 season, the Diamondbacks made slight redesigns to their uniforms, removing the snakeskin patterns and retiring the teal-trimmed grey uniforms.

December 2021: Chris Garagiola replaced Mike Ferrin

In December 2021, Chris Garagiola replaced Mike Ferrin as a backup radio play-by-play announcer.

2021: City Connect Uniforms

In 2021, the Diamondbacks were one of seven teams to wear Nike "City Connect" uniforms, featuring "Serpientes" in black script and a recolored Arizona flag patch.

2022: Red "A" Cap Introduction

In 2022, the Diamondbacks introduced a red "A" cap with a black brim.

February 2023: Greg Schulte to retire after the 2023 MLB season

In February 2023, it was announced that Greg Schulte would retire after the 2023 MLB season. He called games with analyst Tom Candiotti on KTAR.

July 18, 2023: Bally Sports Contract Declined

On July 18, 2023, Diamond Sports Group's contract with the Diamondbacks was declined in bankruptcy court, leading MLB to assume production of regional telecasts.

October 27, 2023: Returned to World Series

On October 27, 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks returned to the World Series for the first time since 2001, facing the Texas Rangers.

November 1, 2023: World Series Loss

On November 1, 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks lost the World Series 4–1 to the Texas Rangers in Arizona.

2023: Diamondbacks swept Dodgers in 2023 NLDS

After clinching the 2023 NL Wild Card berth and defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wild Card Series, the Diamondbacks swept the Dodgers in the 2023 NLDS, evening the all-time postseason record between the two clubs at 3–3.

2023: Uniform Changes

Before the 2023 season, the Diamondbacks promoted the alternate white uniform with teal accents to its primary home uniform and retired the previous Sedona Red white uniform because of a new Nike rule that limits teams to four regular uniforms plus the "City Connect" uniform.

2023: Avnet as Sponsor

Coming off their second World Series appearance in 2023, the Diamondbacks had Avnet as their sponsor since 2023.

2024: DBacks.TV Broadcasts

As of 2024, the Diamondbacks' regional telecasts are branded as DBacks.TV and are distributed via local television providers and MLB.tv.

2024: Refreshed Uniform Designs

Starting in 2024, the Diamondbacks unveiled refreshed uniform designs with turquoise as a full-time accent color and the removal of sand except on the "City Connect" uniform.