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In just their first five seasons of existence, the Diamondbacks won three division titles ( 1999, 2001, & 2002) and one World Series. In 1999, Arizona won over 100 games in only its second season to win the National League West division. They lost to the New York Mets in the first round of playoffs.
In 2001, Arizona had postseason victories over the St. Louis Cardinals (3-2 in the NLDS), the Atlanta Braves (4-1 in the NLCS), to advance to the World Series where, in one of the most exciting series ever, they beat the reigning champions, the New York Yankees, 4 to 3, to become the youngest expansion franchise to win the championship. See 2001 World Series.
By the 2004 season, however, the Diamondbacks had dropped to a dismal 51-111 record. Manager Bob Brenly was fired partway through the season and was replaced on an interim basis by Al Pedrique. Following the season, the Diamondbacks hired Wally Backman to be the team's manager. Backman was formerly manager of the Class A California League Lancaster JetHawks , one of the Diamondbacks' minor-league affilliates.