Steve Finley

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Lore & Background

Finley's arrival via trade on November 10, 1998 marked a turning point for the young Diamondbacks franchise. He immediately established himself as a leader, building on the Gold Glove Awards he had already won with the Padres from 1995 to 1998. On September 8, 1999, he hit two home runs with five RBIs in a single game. The following season, he reached a career-high .544 slugging percentage with 35 home runs, earning his second All-Star selection, while the team's Player of the Year award went solely to Randy Johnson. His most defining moment came in 2001 during the postseason run against the New York Yankees. Luis Gonzalez led the Diamondbacks with a .421 batting average in the National League Division Series, while Finley contributed five RBIs in the National League Championship Series, helping Arizona secure its first World Series title in seven games. Notably, on August 30, 2001, he became the franchise's first position player to serve as a relief pitcher during a 13–5 loss to the Giants, showcasing his versatility even amidst their championship quest.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere at Bank One Ballpark shifted dramatically in October 2001. Steve Finley stepped up to the plate with the World Series on the line against the Yankees, the same team that had swept his previous club, the San Diego Padres, three years earlier. This time, the narrative flipped. Finley's performance was stellar throughout the playoffs, but it was his defensive prowess and clutch hitting that cemented the legacy of this specific squad. When Arizona finally clinched the title, Finley stood as a central figure in the celebration, having played a vital role from the Opening Day roster through the final out. His journey with the Diamondbacks was not without unique moments; he had also made headlines earlier that summer by pitching in relief, proving his value extended far beyond his bat and glove. The 2001 title remains the only World Series championship of Finley's career, making his contribution to that specific Arizona team irreplaceable.

Reader's Guide

Steve Finley played for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1999 through the 2003 season, arriving via free agency after a December 1998 signing. During this period, he was instrumental in the team's rise to contention, earning his second career All-Star selection in 2000 and winning his fourth Gold Glove Award that same year. His playing style combined power hitting with elite range in center field; in 2003, at age 38, he became the oldest player in major league history to lead the league in triples with 10. Finley's tenure included a historic 2001 postseason where he batted .421 in the Division Series and drove in five runs during the Championship Series en route to the World Series title. He also made franchise history on August 30, 2001, by becoming the first position player to pitch for the Diamondbacks. His departure came after the 2003 season when he was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July 2004, though his impact as a foundational piece of the championship core remains unmatched.

Did You Know?

• Finley led the NL with 10 triples in 2003 at age 38, but he was not the oldest player in major league history to lead his league in triples.
• On August 30, 2001, Finley made Diamondbacks history by becoming the first position player to serve as a relief pitcher for the team.
• Finley won five Gold Glove Awards in his career (1995–1999), with the 1999 award being his only one with Arizona.
• In 2001, Finley helped the Diamondbacks win their first World Series title, batting .250 in the Division Series and recording 5 RBIs in the Championship Series.