The new season is just underway and the pennant stretch remains months away. I thought it might be interesting to use the next couple of weeks to look at a couple of teams that might be surprisingly successful in 2007. This week I want to introduce you to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Next week we will take a look at the Milwaukee Brewers. After five years of deteriorating performance, it seems the team from the desert is once again blooming with young talent. Although it is doubtful the youthful Diamondbacks will win the National League West this year, Arizona should be quite competitive and could conceivably challenge for the wild card spot.

The Diamondbacks did not come into existence until 1997. Possessing a committed ownership team and talented baseball minds, Arizona quickly became a potent force in the Senior Circuit and astounded pundits everywhere by winning the World Series in 2001, their fifth year of existence. Who can forget the upstart Diamondbacks taking the favored Yankees to a seventh game in the Fall Classic and defying all odds by coming from behind in the ninth inning to lay waste to the Bronx Bombers.

After that, the wheels came off.

For the past three seasons, Arizona fans have endured losing seasons. Two years ago, the hapless Diamondbacks lost 112 games and appeared to be heading nowhere fast. Last season the team finished below .500 but did show signs of improvement. The light of hope began to dawn over the desert as talented young hurler Brandon Webb won the Cy Young Award.

The Diamondbacks added veteran Livan Hernandez in an August deal with Washington and, over the winter, Arizona re-obtained All-Star left hander Randy Johnson from the Yankees. Johnson was the ace of the Arizona staff in his previous stint with the Diamondbacks and figures to give the team consistent quality starts in 2007. Webb, Hernandez, and Johnson provide the young Diamondbacks with a solid front three in their rotation. Jose Valverde has emerged as a solid closer and the middle relief bullpen is equally solid if not spectacular.

Orlando Hudson mans second base and, in addition to his stellar defense, is the offensive catalyst for the team. Tony Clark plays first and gives the team a consistent base of power. Since coming over from the Yankees three years ago, Clark has emerged as a consistent offensive weapon. Carlos Quenton, Jeff DaVannon, and veteran Eric Byrnes give the Diamondbacks one of the better outfields in the National League.

Arizona faces stiff competition in the much-improved National League West. The Dodgers are also improved and have great pitching and the Giants, although a streaky team, can’t be counted out. San Diego, last year’s division champion, also has consistent pitching and just enough offense to make a run at another title. Colorado is also improved.

Arizona fans will have more to cheer about in 2007, as the Diamondbacks have served notice to the rest of the league that they are a team that cannot be taken lightly. Symbolic of their new identity, the Diamondbacks now wear new Sedona Red uniforms, scrapping the distinctive purple and turquoise threads of yesteryear.

How far can the Diamondbacks go in 2007? Stay tuned.