Ten Reasons to Love This Team

August 24, 2007 by Chris Hall

I moved to Phoenix three years ago and for a time, I let my attendance be dictated by the visiting team.  Like many valley residents, I came here with pre-existing loyalties to other teams.  Unlike many of these transplants, it didn’t take long for this team to win me over.  With just over 30 games left in the season and attendance still unbelievably low, I have compiled a list of reasons the D’Backs deserve your support in person. 

10. The new ownership group: Before you protest, hear me out.  No other owner in Major League Baseball has shown a greater appreciation of the fans this season.  Ticket prices are amongst the lowest in the game and we have been inundated by promotions (see singles-night tonight).  Because they are still paying off the previous regime’s debts, they have had to be smart with their money.  They may be frugal, but can anyone argue they are getting more bang for their bucks than any other team?  Honestly, can you really be so upset about “Sedona Red” when there are teams such as Kansas City and Florida that consistently have fire-sales and “rebuilding years”?

9. Eric Byrnes: Gonzo is gone and his replacement in left field has exceeded all our expectations.  He is the spark that ignites this team.  He has his own radio segment, his own TV show, and he is the team’s nominee for the Hank Aaron Award.   He is a major player in the Pat Tillman Foundation (Team Tillman).  I’d say he filled Gonzo’s void both on and off the field. 

8. Chris Young:  Any other year, Young would have to be considered in the running for NL Rookie of they  Year.  Unfortunately, that race has likely already been won by Ryan Braun.  Young is a future Gold-Glover in center field.  He leads MLB with lead-off home-runs.  His game may be more suited as a mid-lineup hitter, but he has started more rallies than any other D’Back.  As a rookie, he will join the 30-30 club.  That is an amazing feat.

7. Jose Valverde: League-leader in saves.  He rarely makes a boring appearance.  I find myself turning blue when he is on the mound because I forget to breathe.

6. Brandon Webb: Just completed his amazing 42 consecutive inning scoreless streak.  He is the defending Cy Young winner and is a strong contender to repeat.  If the D’Backs have a chance to march to the post season, it will rest on Webb’s strong arm. 

5. The age of this team: Arizona is the fifth-youngest team in Major League Baseball, yet they lead the division.  Contrast that with the other top team in the NL, the New York Mets, has an average age 4.5 years higher than Arizona’s.  This team hasn’t even scratched the surface of its potential.

4.  Remaining schedule: of the 35 remaining games, 25 are against divisional opponents.   As amazing as the D’Backs have been, this division is so close that the standings can change in a single series. 

3. Small Ball: I am not a fan of station-to-station baseball.  Chicks may dig the long ball, but waiting for defensively-talentless monster to bail your team out at the plate is definitely snore-worthy (Big Papi, I am looking at you).  The team that can steal, bunt, and manufacture runs puts the pressure on the opposing defense to make plays.  If you want to avoid a team’s power-hitter, all it takes is 4 balls.  Small ball is superior in every way to “Balco Ball”.   The D’Backs are masters of this craft.

2. Shrugging off a knockout punch: The D’Backs have been on the receiving-end of some epic beat-downs this year.  In fact, their run-differential suggests they should be below .500 this year.  Yet time after time, the D’Backs have come back the following game and won the series.  If this was boxing, the team would have taken the opponent’s best knockout punch, winked at him, and then gone on to win the match.

1. We’re in the lead in a tight divisional race, people.  Get your butts into those seats!

Posted in arizona diamondbacks, baseball