ESPN Tabs D-Backs No. 1 MLB Team

The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) have been ranked the No. 1 franchise in Major League Baseball and rank sixth overall in sports in ESPN the Magazine’s Ultimate Standings issue that hits newsstands today!

 The rankings are based off results from fan surveys and financial analysis and focus on eight categories, including fan relations, affordability, “bang for the buck,”  stadium experience, players, ownership, title track and coaching. Last season, the D-backs ranked 10^th overall and second among MLB franchises.

 “This honor is particularly rewarding because it is decided upon primarily by the fans,” said D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall. “The categories that determine these standings mirror those in our Circle of Success, so we’re extremely proud to be recognized in this fashion.”

 The success of the Arizona Diamondbacks franchise both on and off the field has led to numerous awards and honors, including being named the most affordable for families as part of Team Marketing Report’s Fan Cost Index for seven consecutive years and becoming the first sports organization to be named among the “Best Places to Work” by the Phoenix Business Journal and BestCompaniesAZ for seven consecutive years from 2007-13. Last week, the team was tabbed for having the best Corporate Culture in Phoenix at the Arizona Corporate Excellence Awards.

 The D-backs’ community efforts have also set new records this season with a franchise-high $1.8 million raised at Evening on the Diamond and already this season, the team has raised $1.5 million from its 50-50 Raffle held at each D-backs home game. In addition, the D-backs raised $725,000 in just over a week to support the victims of the Yarnell fire. The D-backs and Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation have surpassed $33 million in combined donations since their inception in 1998.

 On the field, the team has reached the postseason in five of its first 15 years in existence (33 percent), including a World Series Championship in 2001 in which the D-backs became the fastest expansion team to win a World Series Championship in Major League history. The D-backs also won division titles in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2011.