Diary of a Diehard

The Diamondbacks game against the San Francisco Giants on May 12th may as well have been redefined as Ryan Roberts appreciation day. The first 20,000 fans entering the gates prior to the game received a Ryan Roberts Tattoo Sleeve courtesy of Sanderson Ford.

Roberts who earned the nickname “Tatman” last season while playing for the Diamondbacks has quickly become a fan favorite partly because of his success on the field but more importantly because of his gritty blue-collar attitude that helped define the D-backs in their assentation to the 2011 National League Western Division Championship. Today’s game was not just about a fun giveaway though. The Diamondbacks also tied into Tatman’s popularity by featuring him at the team’s second annual “Tweetup”.

Continue reading ‘Second Annual Diamondbacks Tweetup’ »

When Spring Training started there was a lot of talk around baseball at the depth of the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system particularly in starting pitching. For the past few seasons the team has been stockpiling young arms that would continually feed their need for pitching for years to come.

For long time Diamondbacks fans the hype around the minor league pitching was similar to 1998 when Arizona had three studs in the farm system that was touted as the cornerstones of the franchise. Closer Gregg Olson dubbed them the “three phenoms” who were first ever draft pick Nick Bierbrodt, John Patterson, and a sixth round draft pick Brad Penny.

Continue reading ‘Patrick Corbin Deals in Diamondbacks Home Debut’ »

Today is one of those strange scheduling anomalies that occur every so often in the baseball season that simply leave a hollow feeling in your stomach. It is the off day in the middle of a home stand.

Normally when the Arizona Diamondbacks have an off day it either comes during a road trip or at the conclusion of a home stand. In those cases the sense of loss doesn’t feel that bad. The team was out of town anyways so the old adage “out of sight, out of mind” helps you to deal with no Diamondbacks baseball.

Continue reading ‘Off Day in an Off Week’ »

Last season the Arizona Diamondbacks held what they referred to as “The First Annual Tweetup”. It was an event where the team brought together several local and national social media personalities for a panel discussion on how social media was transforming sports. Among the illustrious speakers that included Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall, Diamondbacks Insider Editor Josh Greene, Diamondbacks Social Media Director John Prewitt, Fox Sports personality Todd Walsh and Fox Sports Arizona writer Jack Magruder, MLB.com reporter Steve Gilbert, and AZ Snakepit Blogger Jim McLennan to name a few there was one panelist that didn’t quit fit – your truly.

Continue reading ‘Diamondbacks Announce Second Annual Tweetup’ »

Have you ever had one of those situations where you were going to buy something but for one reason or another you just never get around. You thought to yourself, “oh those will be available for a while so there is no reason to hurry and get it.” Then when you finally decide you need to get it you can’t find it anywhere and you kick yourself over and over for waiting for so long. Yeah, that’s where I am.

Before last season the Arizona Diamondbacks unveiled their jerseys for the 2011 season. There were not really any changes to the white home jersey, the gray road jersey, the Sedona Red alternate jersey or the black alternate home jersey except for one small thing – each of the uniforms would have a patch on the sleeve commemorating the Arizona Diamondbacks hosting the 2011 All-Star game at Chase Field.

Continue reading ‘My Jersey Quest’ »

On December 20, 2005 the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired right-handed pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Luis Vizcaino and outfielder Chris Young from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez and cash considerations. At the time the trade was designed to allow Vazquez to leave Arizona. He wanted to pitch on the east coast but was willing to accept a trade to Chicago.

The Diamondbacks were giving up their then ace for a back of the rotation starter, a reliever, and a highly touted outfield prospect. Young would start the 2006 season in Tucson playing for the Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders. He would put together an all-star season and would be called up to the big leagues on August 18, 2006.

Continue reading ‘Are Chris Young’s Days Numbered?’ »

“Hey, aren’t you a Diamondbacks fan?” I had to look around to see if they were talking to me or to some other guy who had on a Diamondbacks hat, Diamondbacks T-shirt, Diamondbacks sweatshirt, Diamondbacks wind breaker, and Sedona Red/Black sneakers. Nope, they were definitely talking to me.

“Yes, yes I am a Diamondbacks fan,” I said with more pride than I really probably should have.

It’s funny, I get that question a lot here lately and I am not exactly sure why. Is it because spring is just around the corner with pitchers and catchers due to report in 3 days 15 hours 24 minutes and 40 seconds or perhaps because the Diamondbacks won the National League Western Division last season? Regardless of why I am getting the question it’s just nice to hear people show an interest.

Continue reading ‘Diamondbacks Evangelism’ »

I have to admit, Valentine’s Day has gotten a lot easier since the Arizona Diamondbacks changed their colors from Purple and Teal to Sedona Red and Sonoran Sand. Have you ever tried to find a purple and teal Valentine gift? It’s a lot harder than you think.

Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that make most men just cringe. You are basically in a no win situation. If you don’t go crazy and shower your significant other with gifts and attention you are branded as uncaring. If on the other hand you do shower her with all of the love and attention that she needs you have set yourself up to a night of chick flicks and a bar set so high that you will fail miserably the following year.

Continue reading ‘Valentine’s Day Baseball Style’ »

Each year during FanFest the Arizona Diamondbacks announce the upcoming game day giveaways for the season. Now personally I don’t much care whether there is a giveaway or not since I will be at the game regardless but for my family and especially my kids this is a big deal.

Don’t get me wrong; I am not opposed to getting free things for watching a baseball game. In fact if you ask my wife I am obsessed. Wait, she may just be talking about being obsessed with baseball not necessarily with the stadium giveaways. It’s hard to tell since she usually makes this statement when she has to dust the 40 some odd bobble heads that sit above my desk. She threatens to not dust them but after I tell her I am cool with that because dust makes them look more authentic she relents and spends a day cleaning them.

Continue reading ‘D-backs Promotions Schedule Announced’ »