October 7th, 2011- We lose to the Brewers 3-2. (End of season)

Well, that’s it.  I watched about eighty games and was able to blog about 75 of them. What a ride this season has been! The blog has enabled me to watch the game and the team that I love with more scrutiny and with more fascination than ever before. The team blew everyone’s mind and made many doubters believe, myself included. I was mentally prepared to finish second to last in the NL West and feel good about slightly improving. I was not at all expecting all that happened—A Cy Young contender in Kennedy, a Manager of the Year candidate in Kirk Gibson, and an MVP candidate in Upton. Even though I am terribly sad that the D’backs are done until next year, I am extremely proud to be a fan.

 

Tonight’s double-play to consider: 1) It’ll feel weird when there’s no more D’backs baseball to watch. 2) I could use some convincing to keep doing this blog next year 😉

September 23rd, 2011- We beat the Giants 3-1!

On March 6th of this year, I wrote my first entry. At the time, I (among everyone else in the country except Kevin Towers) was certain that this year was going to be about as bad as the previous year, with maybe a ten game improvement. But now, almost six and a half months later, I’m thinking of buying a D’backs NL West champions T-shirt to commemorate something amazing. I haven’t rooted for a baseball playoff team in four years and it feels weird to be obligated to watch October baseball. I am absolutely beside myself. I wish that I could have been in Arizona last night, in the crowd, getting doused with champagne by the team.

 

Tonight’s double-play to consider: 1) Who has to shampoo that clubhouse carpet? Or do they just buy new stuff? 2) Imagine some of those fans, who were showered with champagne, explaining themselves to a cop if they get pulled over on the way home tonight.

September 9th, 2011- We beat the Padres 3-2!

The culture of uniforms is interesting. Uniforms are chosen meticulously and there is a reason why most major league colors are some hue of red or blue. Tonight’s throwback jersey night really highlights the struggles of a young franchise in finding their way with color. Yes, it is fun to remember that the best times that the team has had were in purple, but it’s even better to know that the D’backs have moved away from being the little brother of the Phoenix Suns.

 

Observations:

– When Ryan Roberts gets fired up, expect good things in his next game.

– I completely questioned Kirk Gibson’s decision to leave Daniel Hudson in the 8th. Not batting, but pitching, because he was so frustrated; yet another reason why I don’t manage the team.

– Some of those groundskeepers could stand a daily run.

 

The Magic Number: 10

 

Today’s double-play to consider: 1) Sedona red is way better than purple. 2) Parra’s double air-high five.

September 4th, 2011- We beat the Giants 4-1!

I was living in Alaska the last time the Diamondbacks were in a pennant race, so I didn’t get to hear the fun talk about the end of the season. In 1999 though, I was fortunate enough to hear the talk about Magic Numbers. Sutton, at the end of tonight’s broadcast said that the D’backs’ number is now 16. It’s not too early to mention it. Forget superstitions, this is something to be excited about.

 

Observations:

– Beltran completely dogged it, defensively, in the 8th inning. That’s the problem with superstars. They can get away with that kind of play and keep getting paid.

– It’s nice to know that Gibson is stronger than Upton. I don’t condone violence, but I like the fact that the coach could throw his weight around, if necessary.

– I feel bad for Cowgill being called “Cowgirl” by Giants fans. I’ve been there.

 

Tonight’s double-play to consider: 1) Star Wars day at the ballpark. 2) 7-Up.

September 3rd, 2011- We beat the Giants 7-2!

D’backs fans know that when the team scores six or more runs, the next day from 4-6 p.m., fans in Arizona can get three free tacos with the purchase of a large drink. Why am I mentioning this? Because A) I am shocked at how hungry I get every single time it is announced, and B) I am surprised by how much I miss Arizona when that happens. No matter that it would only cost me less than three bucks to just go buy them myself in Ohio, it’s the principle, man. It’s the principle.

 

Observations:

– Gerardo Parra deserves a Gold Glove.

– My baby is coming soon, so my baseball watching days are about to get suspended.

– Paul Goldschmidt owns Tim Lincecum.

 

Tonight’s double-play to consider: 1) I like Lincecum, but he looks kind of like a 14 year-old tomboy. 2) There are so many bubbles at AT&T Park that I thought I was watching the Lawrence Welk show.

September 2nd, 2011- We lose to the Giants 6-2.

Tonight’s game was a good example of why I am concerned about Arizona’s chances in the playoffs. Yes, Joe Saunders was feeling under the weather with a cold, but that’s not my concern. Star players can fight through this kind of malady. My worry with Saunders is how frustrated he gets. I really believe that a pitcher needs to have a granite-like stoicism about him to perform at his best. There was one point in the game where he got behind in the count 3-0 and was barking at himself in frustration. He then let this attitude derail him. Umpires negatively respond to players’ attitudes toward them and opponents love to see their foes start to crack under pressure. When an enemy shows a weakness, a good team will capitalize, and good teams make the playoffs.

 

Observation:

– Are these September call-ups smart? Sam Demel, really?

 

Tonight’s double-play to consider: 1) The D’backs are better than the Giants. 2) Lincecum’s Halloween face.

August 25th, 2011- We beat the Nationals 8-1!

Well, I feel obligated to say that I finally think that Miguel Montero is a good baseball player. I’ve given him hell all season on this blog about his defensive skills but now, after an All-Star game appearance and the fact that his caught stealing percentage is so high, I’m a buyer on number 26. His footwork is great, and he’s become a good leader in the battery. Good work, Miggy.

 

Observations:

– Good for Wade Miley. He looked good . . . eventually.

– How about that bobble play by Ryan Roberts? Always finish the play, kiddos!

-They sky over D.C. was scary.

– Teddy Roosevelt is asking for it.

– Todd Coffey is a monster of a man. He should be a lumberjack or a sideshow attraction.

– I might have to buy the postseason package at MLB.tv this year!

 

Tonight’s double-play to consider: 1) When did Davey Johnson get so damned old and emaciated? 2) Parra’s excitement is contagious.

August 21st, 2011- We lose to the Braves 1-0.

What we as fans saw out there today was not a playoff caliber offense. Collmenter looked pretty good on the bump, but the team’s bats and base running were kind of embarrassing. Luckily they can kind of afford this slump right now with the Giants not playing perfectly, but the way this team looks right now, they don’t look like they could hold their own in a playoff series.

 

Observations:

– On the plus side, the defense looked good tonight, with the obvious exception of Upton, whose defense I’ve come to dismiss nightly. That catch by Burroughs early in the game and (can you believe I’m saying it?) Montero’s arm, were bright spots in an otherwise unwatchable game.

-Make no mistake, the D’backs gave this game away, but it seems like the Braves are still getting those outside slider calls. Just saying.

 

Today’s double-play to consider: 1) A fight may be coming to D.C. 2) The tomahawk chop is kind of goofy.

August 16th, 2011- We beat the Phillies 3-2!

This is somewhat unrelated to the D’backs blog, but today I finally got a PS3, which means that I can watch MLB.tv on my television. I have to say, after two straight years of watching D’backs baseball on my laptop, I won’t be going back. Tonight was the first time that a Diamondbacks game has been so vivid to me since I watched them lose to the Phillies, at Chase Field, in July of 2009.

Gah-lee this team is exciting. Who doesn’t love to hear the raucous Phillies fans get quieted?

Observations:

– Is it just me or are catchers getting hit a lot more in their “tackle” this year? Carlos Ruiz got hit the worst I’ve seen all year, but it feels like I’ve watched this similar scene at least three times in 2011. Whew!

– Colin Cowgill looked like a professional pinch runner out there.

Tonight’s double-play to consider: 1) Sean Burroughs’ oddly oversized picture. 2) Welcome back, Lyle Overbay.

August 12th, 2011- We beat the Mets 4-3!

Alright! Two games in first place. It feels kind of like a solid amount to be ahead, but it really isn’t. Now is not the time for the team to rest on their laurels and based on how they are playing as of late, I don’t think that they will. Plus, I cannot imagine a team coached by Kirk Gibson is even capable of sitting back and getting too cocky, even a team with Justin Upton on it. They really need to win this series against the Mets. My hope is that they can sweep this New York team as this upcoming road trip scares the crap out of me.

 

Observations:

– Gracie talked a little about Carlos Zambrano. I have to say, the Cubs putting up with Big Z’s crap all of the time is one reason why I defected as a fan. Zambrano is an expensive embarrassment.

 

Tonight’s double-play to consider: 1) Goldy. 2) “We lead the league in love.”