9 must-see D-backs artifacts on display at Hall
Despite being a relatively young franchise, the Arizona Diamondbacks can fill up a trophy case as well as any ballclub.
That’s the result of the D-backs’ winning a World Series in just their fourth year of existence. Arizona continued to impress in following seasons by fielding some of the National League’s top talent.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection of more than 40,000 three-dimensional pieces contains artifacts that tell the story of the game’s legendary players, moments and triumphs. Whether you’ve visited before or you’ve always wanted to check it out, there’s always a great reason to plan a visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum -- the spiritual home of America’s Pastime in beautiful Cooperstown, N.Y.
1. Goldschmidt standard
Where: Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: This was one of the jerseys that Paul Goldschmidt wore in 2015, by which time he had established himself as one of baseball’s best performers. He received his third consecutive All-Star selection that year while leading Arizona with a .321 batting average, 33 home runs and 110 RBIs. Goldschmidt won National League Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards, reflecting his all-around excellence.
2. Magic Wand
Where: Autumn Glory exhibit
Fun facts: Luis Gonzalez used this bat to stroke the single that drove in Jay Bell for the run that won Game 7 of the 2001 World Series for Arizona over the Yankees, 3-2. It was a classic situation -- bases loaded, two outs, tie score, relief ace Mariano Rivera on the mound for New York -- when Gonzalez connected.
3. Bi-cycles built for one
Where: Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: Aaron Hill wore these shoes to hit for the cycle on June 18, 2012. Nine games later, he hit for the cycle again, becoming the first D-backs player to hit for the cycle twice in the same season.
4. Capping off a great effort
Where: Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: Playing for his fourth team, Edwin Jackson wore this cap while giving his most memorable big league performance: a no-hitter against Tampa Bay in a 1-0 Arizona victory on June 25, 2010. It was the second no-hitter in franchise history, joining Randy Johnson’s perfect game in 2004 against Atlanta.
5. Little ball
Where: One for the Books exhibit
Fun facts: This baseball and others that Randy Johnson threw on the night of May 8, 2001, must have looked extremely small to the Cincinnati Reds, who struck out 20 times in nine innings against the imposing left-hander. Johnson received a no-decision in the contest, which Arizona captured in 11 innings, 4-3.
6. Quite a quartet
Where: One for the Books exhibit
Fun facts: J.D. Martinez became the 18th big leaguer to hit four homers in a game when he went deep against a different Dodgers pitcher each time he connected on Sept. 4, 2017. Arizona prevailed, 13-0.
7. What’s up down under
Where: Locker Room exhibit
Fun facts: Left-hander Wade Miley wore these shoes on March 22, 2014, while throwing the first regular-season pitch on Australian soil as the D-backs faced the Dodgers at the Sydney Cricket Grounds.
8. Solemn tribute
Where: Whole New Ballgame exhibit
Fun facts: During the 2001 World Series, right-hander Curt Schilling wore this cap, which he inscribed to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. With 26 strikeouts and a 1.69 ERA in three starts, Schilling shared World Series MVP honors with Randy Johnson.
9. It’s a bling thing
Where: Autumn Glory exhibit
Fun facts: This ring commemorates Arizona’s 2001 World Series title. To earn this jewelry that shows off the team logo, the D-backs had to beat the Cardinals in the NL Division Series, the Braves in the NL Championship Series and the Yankees in the World Series.