Long-time Yankees fans like Ira Riklis still remember the 2001 World Series which the Bronx Bombers lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 7 at Chase Field in Phoenix. The D-backs stayed strong for several years after, while the Yankees struggled a bit in the ensuing years. That’s all changed in the past couple of years of course. The Yankees of course are the defending world champions, while the D-backs haven’t been the same since losing the 2007 National League Championship series.
Now Ira Riklis’ home-town heroes are back in Phoenix for an interleague series againt Arizona. It will be a hot time with temperatures above 100 during the day. But the Yankees are planning to enjoy themselves. Manager Joe Girardi noted, “It’s always great to see ballparks you don’t see a lot of… That can be fun. It’s what Interleague is.” It might not be as much fun for the D-backs who have one of the worst records in baseball so far this year. But going up against the Yankees—who have the best record—gives them a chance to test themselves and find out what they’re made of.