The city of Phoenix finally received a baseball team in 1996 named the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team also built a new ballpark called Bank One ballpark. The Arizona Diamondbacks first major league game was played against the Colorado Rockies on March 31st 1998. they had great success in their first five seasons of existence. The Diamondbacks won three division titles in 1999 2001 and 2002 and won one World Series in 1999. in the World Series they beat New York Yankees 4 to 3 to become the youngest expansion team to win the championship. 

The 2004 season was not looking good for the Arizona Diamondbacks they had the worst record in baseball that year. In 2004 they picked up three key free agents third baseman Troy Glaus, pitcher Russ Ortiz and shortstop Royce Clayton. Then thay traded Randy Johnson in which many people thought that was a crazy move. The Arizona Diamondbacks led by new manager Bob Melvin finish the 2005 season with a disappointing record of 77 wins and 85 losses. They ended up second in the National League West by four games behind the San Diego Padres. Starting pitcher Russ Ortiz was out for most of time and new third baseman Troy Glaus played with a hurt knee most the season. In October 2005 the Diamondbacks hired 35 yr old Josh Byrnes to replace the out going joe Garigiola as General Manager..