NOTES

Luis Gonzalez finally acknowledged the secret that transformed him from a 15-homer guy in 1993 to a 57-homer guy this season.

The Yankees aren’t going to like hearing this ...

“It was Yogi Berra,” said Gonzalez, the Diamondback whose two-run homer led them to a 9-1 win in Game 1.

When Berra was a coach with the Houston Astros, Gonzalez was a young outfielder.

“He used to say, ‘Kid, you need a heavier bat,”’ Gonzalez said. “He said I would swing heavier and hit the ball harder.”

Gonzalez, who used a standard 32-ounce bat at the time, eventually moved up to a 33-ounce bat.

“That’s made all the difference in the world,” Gonzalez said with a smile. “Hopefully I’ll see Yogi in New York and thank him again.”

How unusual is it that Brian Anderson will start for the Diamondbacks in New York in Game 3? He hasn’t started since August 24.

He finished the season in the bullpen and doghouse with a 4-9 record and 5.20 ERA.

And check out his injuries and ailments: He missed a start with an 104-degree fever. He strained his ankle on a baserunning drill. He injured his elbow when it was hit with a thrown ball. He cut his finger on a cologne bottle.

And all that was in spring training.

Then, two starts into the season he went on the disabled list with a strained back. Which was followed by a strained groin.

“On top of all that was plenty of ineffectiveness,” Anderson said. .

Oh, to be left-handed.

*

After named the winner of the 2001 Roberto Clemente Award for community service, Diamondback pitcher Curt Schilling called it the highlight of his career.

“This award means more than anything that I have ever received or ever will receive as a baseball player,” said Schilling, who donates $1 million annually to help those fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease, as well as being actively involved in several local charities.

Schilling, a Pittsburgh-area native, said the first baseball game he attended was Clemente’s last game as a Pirate. He said the only time he saw his father weep was when Clemente died.

He explained: “Ten years ago, I sat with my wife and we watched TV ... and I looked at my wife when they were handing out the Clemente Award at the World Series and I said to her, “If I play long enough and I stay healthy enough, that’s the one award I want to win before I’m done playing.”

He added, “Because to win that award, it will not matter how many wins or strikeouts I have. I will have made a difference in people’s lives.”