Diary of a Diehard

“Dad, you’re going to be a grandfather!” This is the kind of news that brings about a litany of emotions. On the one hand you are thrilled that your daughter is going to have a baby. On the other hand, all of your delusions that you are still young suddenly go up in smoke.

It is not that this news is unexpected. My daughter and her husband have been trying to have a baby for a while. Regardless, the news still hits you like a Randy Johnson fastball to the chest.

Continue reading ‘Can I Have Naming Rights?’ »

Last off-season the Arizona Diamondbacks priority was to find a second baseman after the departure of Orlando Hudson to free agency. They signed Felipe Lopez to a contract for 2009. At the trade deadline Lopez was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers leaving the Diamondbacks looking once again for a middle infielder.

This year the Diamondbacks front office downplayed the need for a second baseman claiming they had internal candidates Rusty Ryal, Ryan Roberts, and fan-favorite Augie Ojeda. These were the same alternatives they had last season so the question is why are they content to use a combination of these three this year?

Continue reading ‘Who’s On Second?’ »

One of the more intriguing rumors to be circulating around baseball is the Arizona Diamondbacks interest in closer Jose Valverde. Valverde was a member of the Diamondbacks during their 2007 play-off run but was sent to Houston in exchange for current closer Chad Qualls.

Valverde who was nicknamed Papa Grande during his tenure in Arizona declined salary arbitration from the Houston Astros that would have given him a one-year contract north of $10 million.

Continue reading ‘Return of the Big Potato?’ »

Our second daughter is engaged to be married to a great guy. Marrying into this family is not something that most sane men would consider; just ask my oldest daughter’s husband. There are still stories that are told around the dinner table about how dad ruined the wedding.

Honestly I am not sure how I got blamed and really I doubt the wedding was “ruined”. I am pretty sure that I am not the only father ever to replace the daddy-daughter dance music with Harry Carey singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Continue reading ‘Father of the Bride’ »

Hidden within the transaction log was this entry for the Arizona Diamondbacks, “The D-backs signed right-hander Rodrigo Lopez to a Minor League contract on Wednesday and invited the veteran to Spring Training.”

Rodrigo Lopez is a 34 year-old veteran who has spent eight seasons in the major leagues playing for the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, and last season with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Continue reading ‘Arizona Adds Another Piece to the Pitching Puzzle’ »

There are countless rewards for being an Arizona Diamondbacks Season Ticket Holder. The team goes out of its way to make sure that their most loyal fans are rewarded for their dedication. It seems like every day there is something new.

Today was the latest in a long line of perks. I received an email from the Diamondbacks offering to help me with some last minute Christmas shopping. For the next three days they are offering 40 percent off items in the team shop.

Continue reading ‘Last Minute Shopping’ »

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced their minor league coaching staffs for each of the team’s minor league affiliates. Many of the coaches are familiar names to anyone who has followed the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system but there were a few surprises.

Continue reading ‘Diamondbacks Set Minor League Coaching Staffs’ »

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a big splash at the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis Indiana last week when they acquired two starting pitchers – Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy. It was a surprise move by the team and raised eyebrows throughout baseball.

Today the two newest Arizona Diamondbacks were introduced in a press conference at Chase Field. While both of these players will be asked to provide stability to the starting rotation, talk quickly turned towards offense.

Continue reading ‘Diamondbacks Introduce Pair of Pitchers’ »

After the passing of the non-tender deadline this past weekend, a new wave of free agents have suddenly become available to teams. This is good news for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

With their modest $6.5 million remaining for player salaries they now have several more players available to fill their remaining roster spots. The question is, which players will the team target and bring to the desert?

Continue reading ‘Options Open Up After Non-Tender Deadline’ »