Chad Chiffin
I asked Chad Chiffin where he was when the Diamondbacks won the 2001 World Series, and his answer? The coaches’ room bathroom. Not exactly the poetic baseball moment I was expecting—but somehow, it fits. Because for 25 years, Chad has been the guy behind the scenes making the chaos run smooth. Whether it’s scrambling to set up champagne or watching 48,000 pom-poms shake Chase Field into a frenzy, he’s seen it all. What stuck with me most, though, was how much pride he takes in the people—the fans, the staff, the players. For Chad, the ballpark’s always been about belonging.
You’ve been with the Diamondbacks forever. What was it like when they won the World Series in 2001?
I’d been working in Tucson, and a bunch of those guys—Womack, Mike Morgan, Bobby Witt Sr.—had come through on rehab stints. So when I got called up to help during the playoffs, I already knew the team. When Gonzo hit that walk-off, I was in the coaches’ room bathroom—superstitious reasons. I just needed something to change the energy. And it worked. I watched the whole ninth inning from in there, pacing, watching the TV through the door.
So you literally watched them win the World Series from the bathroom?
Yep. And then it was chaos—running out to get everything ready, rolling out the buckets of beer and champagne, watching all 48,000 pom-poms going. I remember thinking, “We really just beat Mariano Rivera.” That was wild.
How do you describe Chase Field to someone who hasn’t been?
It’s got this mix of utility and surprise. I mean, there’s a pool in the outfield. For years I never went out there. But when I finally did, I thought, “This is really cool.” You’re in a pool... at a ballpark. Where else do you get to do that?
What’s it like to work in a city like Phoenix, where most people aren’t born here?
That’s actually one of the coolest parts—watching the fan base grow. Seeing more and more kids in D-backs hats. People coming up and saying, “Hey, I know what you do, and we love this team.” That means a lot. Especially this past postseason—when we beat Philly, I got 350 texts. Everyone back home was buzzing.
What about celebrating with the team—those behind-the-scenes moments?
That’s the stuff that stays with you. When we clinched the Wild Card at home, one of my coworkers brought his dad—who’s a season ticket holder—onto the field to celebrate. That was awesome. Just watching guys who’ve been grinding for years finally get to feel that joy? That’s what it’s all about.
What’s your job really like behind the scenes?
I describe it as part concierge, part parent. You’re helping everybody—coaches, trainers, front office. You do whatever it takes to make their day easier so they can perform. And the team trusts us. They know if something needs to get done, it will. That’s a point of pride.
And finally—how do you describe Luis Gonzalez?
One word: better. He’s just the best. You go anywhere with him in town, and people stop him. And he never says no. I remember after the World Series, we tried to go out for dinner, and people lined up. He signed for every single one. Always has.
NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.