D-backs veterans abundant on bench, willing to help
Mar 1, 2012, 11:11 PM | Updated: Mar 2, 2012, 12:55 am
The Arizona Diamondbacks roster has many key players still in the early part of their careers. Justin Upton, Paul Goldschmidt, Daniel Hudson and Gerardo Parra are all 24, and the average age on the entire roster is 28.
But as good as they were last year, the youngsters still need guidance, and a few veterans have taken up the job to be an example.
“There’s no question that it helps to have guys with experience. They’ve been through it, they understand the situations better,” manager Kirk Gibson told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo. “The other thing is, to have them on the field every day with all of our players and our younger players, is phenomenal.”
Players can find the leadership they need in John McDonald, Lyle Overbay and Henry Blanco, who have a combined total of 38 years in the MLB.
Six players on the team are over 35-years-old, and could be considered as extra coaches for the team. But the coaching staff already combines for 16 All-Star Game appearances and five World Series Championships.
Gibson used McDonald as an example that his positive attitude on and off the field along with his hustle is seen by the less experienced.
“I can tell you there are many young kids that have come up and I said ‘how are things going,’ and ‘what are you work on?’ ‘Well, Johnny Mac showed me this, Johnny Mac told me about this,” Gibson said. “And you see Johnny McDonald…he does always have a smile on his face. He’s 38 years-old, loves the game understands it, and continues to pass the good message along.”
