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November 9, 2001/Cheshvan 23, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 9
Valley cherishes World Series win
BARRY COHEN
Editor
The afterglow of the Arizona Diamondbacks' victory in the 2001 World Series will remain long after Jay Bell, arms raised, crossed the plate with the winning run and hugged Matt Williams, long after Curt Schilling leaped on top of Luiz Gonzales for hitting the game-winning RBI.
The city, the state and the nation will feel the Fall Classic's positive effects for some time to come, many Valley residents agree.
"Sports provide cohesiveness like nothing else in the world," said Donna Davis, a long-time Yankees fan who grew up in Manhattan. "It pulls the city together." Davis is the niece of Red Auerbach, former general manager and current president of the Boston Celtics.
"People came here and will continue to come here," said Nomi Mills. She grew up an Oakland A's fan, cheered for the San Diego Padres while in college, and after moving here in 1996, now is a devoted Arizona Diamondbacks fan. The 2001 World Series "showed off the spirit of the state," she added.
Her husband Josh said the victory would provide the city with newly positive press coverage. "We're much more than a geriatric sports town," he said.
Jerry Schildkraut, a transplant from Brooklyn, said the city and the team have achieved more respect, and the victory will help the local economy "down the road" with increased tourism.
For the nation, the World Series "came along at the right time," he noted. "We have been able to pick up the pieces and start to move on with life," he explained, referring to the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Davis echoed his sentiment. "It shows we can still be the kind of people we always were. ...We will heal."
Barry Singer was at Game 7, when the Diamondbacks won in dramatic fashion, defeating the Yankees' ace relief pitcher, Mariano Rivera.
"I felt (an energy) on the streets that night, and I am hoping it will be built on. ... I believe (the World Series) put Sept. 11 in a larger context ... of the continuity of life going on."
The series has given the country a chance to "recharge" and be "spiritually reenergized," said Josh Mills. "It has been a point of inspiration at a tough time."
Schildkraut describes himself as "a baseball fanatic," who has followed the game for more than 65 years.
"I can honestly tell you this World Series was without a doubt the most exciting ever played. If someone had attempted to have Hollywood script this, no one would have believed this," he said.
Singer, who moved to the Valley 10 years ago and cheered for the Diamondbacks, spent his New York childhood as a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. "I never forgave them for leaving" (for Los Angeles), he said.
Josh Mills grew up "baseball deprived" in the Washington, D.C., area. He said he has been a Diamondbacks fan since the team's 1997 inaugural season.
"I have put so much energy and thought into this team," he said. Winning the World Series was a "dream come true. ... And it feels great to beat the Yankees."
"If we had to lose, I'm glad we lost to the Diamondbacks," said Davis. "New York deserves everything they can get right now, but the Diamondbacks deserve to win, too."
Davis arrived in the Valley 3 1/2 years ago. "In another 40-50 years, I'll be a Diamondbacks fan," she predicted.
Though Schildkraut grew up a Yankees fan in Brooklyn, he wanted the Diamondbacks to win. "The Yankees have won enough titles," he said.
He said he hopes the victory will help ease the financial challenges Jerry Colangelo and other team owners have faced in putting together the team and covering players' salaries.
David Heyman grew up a Yankees fan and saw Mickey Mantle, Willie Mayes and Whitey Ford play. Yet he wanted the Diamondbacks to win.
"It was nice to see a team ... truly play together," he said. "What a great menagerie of guys."
Kevin Winterhalt, husband of Jewish News graphic artist Tegwin Winterhalt, said he grew up in upstate New York as "more of a New York Giants football fan." His family moved to the Valley two years ago. Winterhalt watched the Diamondbacks, learned the players' names and followed their victories and defeats.
"Gonzo (left-fielder Luiz Gonzales) was one of the reasons, watching him chase the (homerun) record," he said. "By the playoffs, I was hooked."
He added, "I am happy to be a part of this. ... It couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of guys."
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