Kirk Gibson not changing attitude from 2011

At the start the 2011 season, the Diamondbacks took on the label
“underdog,” but after finishing 94-68 and first in the NL West that’s no
longer the case. The 2012 D-backs will be heading into this season with a
target on their backs, but don’t tell Manager Kirk Gibson that.

“I don’t feel like we are, obviously,” Gibson said. “I don’t know who said that
but it says “Gibson” and there’s a 23 on my back and it’s the same as it was
last year.”

Surely, Gibson has to have a different approach or view of the division after
doing the impossible in 2011.

“I just go about it every day,” Gibson explained. “We try to play as hard as
we can, as good as we can, win as many games as we can and stick
together. Things are going to go differently than we predict so, just have
to be able to overcome those things. Long race.”

Gibson went on to reference the 2008 season when the Diamondbacks
started a franchise best 20-8 in March and April and everyone predicted
they would run away with the NL West. Instead they collapsed and finished
2nd in the division behind the Los Angeles Dodgers with an 82-80 record.

“We’ll see how good we are. That’s why we’re here,” Gibson stated. “I know
we’re good, how good are we? I don’t know. Who’s gonna win? I don’t know.
I would say there are many teams that could win our division and I don’t
take any of them lightly. I respect all their managers and their players in a
competitive spirit.”

As fans, we’ll know quickly whether or not there is a target on Arizona’s
back. The D-backs will host their division rival San Francisco Giants on
opening weekend at Chase Field starting Friday, April 6th.

Gibson will ensure that his troops are ready when the bell rings.

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