ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Justin Upton says first game back at Chase is just another game

May 13, 2013, 11:17 PM | Updated: 11:28 pm

“No, it’s a baseball game.”

That was Atlanta Braves outfielder Justin Upton’s response when he was asked Monday afternoon if there would be a little more adrenaline flowing in the opener of a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

The D-backs made Upton the first overall selection of the 2005 MLB First Year Player Draft and he spent six seasons in Sedona Red, helping the team to two National League West titles. Monday marks his first game as an opponent of the Diamondbacks.

“All this leading up to it is a little bit more than the game will be. It’s not Game 7 of the World Series and there’s going to be a lot of games coming after this one so you take it in stride and play three games on the road and get back home.”

Arizona dealt the two-time All-Star and infielder Chris Johnson to the Braves in January in exchange for five players, including former All-Star Martin Prado. Since arriving in Atlanta, Upton has made his mark. The 25-year-old leads the National League in home runs with 12 and the Braves currently sit atop the NL East.

“Coming back with a different team is definitely a different feeling, but we’re here to play baseball,” Upton said. “It’s going to be cool to play in front of the fans again, play in the stadium again in familiar surroundings, but at the end of the day it’s just baseball.”

Despite being the first overall pick and a cornerstone of the franchise, Upton was never the fan favorite that you’d expect a player with his skill set to be. Upton isn’t sure about what kind of fan reaction he’ll get when he steps into the batter’s box for the first time.

“I don’t know, I’d like it to be good,” he said. “But I’m on the other team, I’m wearing different colors, so you never know what you’re going to get.”

Despite trade rumors that persisted for three offseasons, Upton has no regrets about his time in Arizona.

“Not at all,” he said. “I went out and played with the guys that I enjoyed playing with and had a good time with in the clubhouse.

“Those relationships that you gain when you’re playing in the clubhouse with guys, it doesn’t matter what team you’re on, those are the guys you battle with every night, so definitely no regrets.”

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blaze Alexander...

Alex Weiner

Blaze Alexander did all he could to make Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster

Diamondbacks infielder Blaze Alexander put together a spring that made it too difficult for the team to send him back to the minor leagues.

2 hours ago

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

6 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

7 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

8 hours ago

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

9 hours ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

9 hours ago

Justin Upton says first game back at Chase is just another game