A look back at the Arizona Diamondbacks' 2001 Game Seven World Series line-up
By Noah Wright
Third Baseman Matt Williams
Matt Williams was in the twilight of his career when he won his first and only World Series ring with the Diamondbacks. While his prime was behind him with his days in San Francisco, Williams was still a productive player for the Diamondbacks in 2001. He also delivered some hits in the Postseason.
Williams batted .275/.314/.466 with a .330 wOBA and 94 wRC+ in 436 plate appearances during the regular season. Williams had never been one to draw many walks and had just a 5% BB%. But his 16% strikeout rate was one of the lowest remarks of his career. He still could blast one out and hit 16 dingers with a .191 isolated slugging percentage. Overall, because this was the steroid era, Williams was a slightly below-average hitter.
Williams had always been renowned for his glovework at the hot corner, and even though he was in his mid-30s, he could still field third base with some grace. Williams had +3 total zone runs in 852.1 frames at third. That's where Williams lined in during the Postseason as well.
In the 2001 World Series, Williams collected 29 plate appearances and seven total hits. Even though he didn't draw a walk and struck out nine times, he also hit two doubles and a home run. Williams also had five hits in five games in the NLCS in '01 as well.