ARLINGTON, Texas — Game 1 of the 2023 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers is less than 24 hours away and anticipation is building both here in Arizona and at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, where the D-backs held a World Series workout and media day.
The Rangers are seeking their first World Series title in franchise history and the D-backs are seeking their second.
And in a cool coincidence for the D-backs and their fans, the dates of all seven games of this year's World Series line up exactly with the 2001 World Series, when the D-backs won their first title by beating the New York Yankees in seven games.
D-backs legend Luis Gonzalez, who hit the walk-off single to win the 2001 World Series, said that feels like a good omen.
"What an exciting time for our fans, for our players, everybody just to be here in Arlington for games one and two," D-backs legend Luis Gonzalez said Thursday. "These guys are pumped up. They're ready to go. It should be a lot of fun."
Gonzalez, who also works as a Special Assistant to D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall, added that it has been a crazy journey watching the 2023 Diamondbacks and that they are a very different team than the one that won a title 22 years ago.
"This team relies a lot on aggressiveness (and) speed," Gonzalez said. "We relied more on our age, trying to be smart and to play the game the right way. And we had some power on that team too."
Being on the diamond at Globe Life Field on Thursday was special for Gonzalez as it brought the memories of that title run flooding back, but Gonzalez is looking forward even more to the new memories that will be made throughout this year's World Series.
"It's always a great feeling," Gonzalez said. "But I think this generation is ready for them to try to win one too. So hopefully our team's up for the challenge and we'll bring another championship home."
And when asked who on this year's D-back squad could fill his shoes with a game-winning hit in the World Series, Gonzalez said it could be one of many players.
"I really trust our young players right now with (Gabriel Moreno) and (Geraldo) Perdomo has been playing extremely well," Gonzalez said. "You gotta look at Alek Thomas. He's had a good postseason. And you know, of course Corbin Carroll's the guy. I think he's going to be one of the marquee guys on that team, the guy that they circle to go out there and try to contain a little bit. Him and (Ketel) Marte, so it's going to be up to a lot of other guys, Christian Walker, and those guys to come up big for us."
Game 1 of the World Series is on Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. You can watch the game on Fox.
Full interview with Luis Gonzalez
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