Arizona sports fans may be upset Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton was not selected to participate in the Home Run Derby, but the 23-year-old right fielder has bigger goals. Growing up I never dreamed of winning the Home Run Derby, but I did dream of winning a World Series and that is where my focus is.less […]
PHOENIX – Wily Mo Pena has burst on the Arizona scene crushing towering home runs in only a limited role. However, an ESPN analyst believes Pena’s time in Arizona could be short-lived if he doesn’t improve on other aspects of his game. “I don’t think he fits in other than as a pinch-hitter now even […]
He may be the Diamondbacks’ best player, but the only time you’ll see Justin Upton on the field during the All-Star festivities is during the game itself. Upton, who has hit 13 home runs this season and will represent the D-backs Tuesday night, was not selected by Prince Fielder to take part in the home […]
As of right now, the Arizona Diamondbacks only have one representative in this year’s All-Star game. A game that will be hosted in their home ballpark, Chase Field. While it isn’t the first time a host city has had one hometown player in the game, it is a rare occurrence. Over the last decade only […]
There are many ways to judge a team’s popularity. Attendance and merchandise sales are the most common, but nowadays the internet can prove to be a good gauge as well. And, if the numbers are to be believed, people just aren’t that interested in the Arizona Diamondbacks. A report by Beyond the Boxscore says the […]
The Diamondbacks’ Wily Mo Pena has crushed five home runs in just 39 at bats. That averages out to nearly one homer in every 8 plate appearances, a rate that would put him at the top of the Major Leagues. Wonder what he could do with a few more at bats? Jeff Passan of Yahoo.com […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for July 4, 2011: Diamondbacks 8, Brewers 6 The Good: The Diamondbacks offense and their bullpen were the reasons for the victory over the Brewers on this Fourth of July holiday. […]
As the All-Star game roster nears its final draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays have teamed up to get respective pitcher Ian Kennedy and second baseman Ben Zobrist on that roster, according to a press release. Fans are encouraged to vote for both players when they log their votes on dbacks.com, tampabayrays.com or […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for July 3, 2011: Athletics 7, Diamondbacks 2 The Good: The D-backs looked to be putting together another late-game rally in the eighth. Though it was cut short, the effort was […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for July 1, 2011: Athletics 5, Diamondbacks 4 The Good: Wily Mo Pena was at it again homering in his first at-bat of the game. It was Pena’s fourth home run […]
PHOENIX – Wily Mo Pena has been the newest cult hero in Arizona as he has become a home run threat every time he seems to come to the plate. For Pena, a player who has spent the bulk of his career in the Minor Leagues, he craves the opportunity to establish himself as a […]
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced a myriad of roster moves on Friday. One came as a bit of surprise. According to general manager Kevin Towers, the club placed closer J.J. Putz on the 15-day disabled list due to right elbow tendinitis. The move is retroactive to June 29. While the move wasn’t expected, it does make […]
Major League Baseball named Brewers first basemen Prince Fielder as the National League captain for the Home Run Derby. If Justin Upton reaches base on Monday when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit Milwaukee, he’ll likely make his case to the captain for spot in competition. YES , if I am invited to participate in the Home […]
Arizona Diamondback’s closer J.J. Putz has thrown like two different closers this season. An excellent May followed by a poor June has Mark Asher, co-host of Sports 620 KTAR’s Mark Asher wondering what’s up with Putz. “I have major concerns with Putz, because without the back-end of that bullpen, this team’s going nowhere,” Ash said […]
The success of the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks has been highly publicized, and deservedly so. Arizona is currently 45-38 and only two and a half games out of first place in the National League West. It may only be halfway through the year, yet the D-backs are exceeding everyone’s expectations and having a great season. On […]
Kirk Gibson and Bob Melvin worked together as bench coach and manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks until Melvin was let go in 2009. Although they did not work as closely together as in years past, the two were reunited this season. Melvin was named a special baseball advisor, while Gibson was the manager of the […]
Remember Eric Byrnes, the guy who stole earned $30 million over three years from the Arizona Diamondbacks despite playing poorly for the first two and being cut before the third? Yeah, the MLB Network apparently has found his resume — or at least his personality — impressive enough to hire him as an analyst. We’re […]
PHOENIX – Wily Mo Pena has started to become the new cult hero in Arizona as a pinch-hitting specialist for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pena since being recalled this month has slugged three home runs including a walk-off home run on Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians. Pena has been labeled as a poor defensive player which […]
After every Arizona Diamondbacks game we’ll examine the box score and provide you with instant analysis. So it’s time to go Inside the Box for June 29, 2011:
PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks could be looking for a new fifth starter in the near future to replace the struggling Zach Duke. Duke was strong out of the gate compiling a 2.37 ERA in his first three starts only allowing five earned runs in 19 innings of work. However, in his last four starts, […]
Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton has hit 13 home runs so far this season, and if he is named to the NL All-Star team he’ll likely hit more. A lot more. On the Diamondbacks radio broadcast Wednesday team president Derrick Hall said he hopes Upton, who has a legitimate case to be an All-Star, makes […]
PHOENIX – For this year’s All-Star game in Phoenix, managing the extreme Arizona heat may be the biggest challenge. The Arizona Diamondbacks, along with MLB, are taking steps to limit the problems caused by the heat according to the Sporting News. The clear subtext of the event this year will be to beat the heat, […]
The Arizona Diamondbacks mantra this season should be ‘live in the moment.’ Between their unexpected rise towards the top of the National League West and their plethora of come from behind victories, you never know what to expect with this club. That mindset also applies to the franchise’s approach to Wily Mo Pena’s future in […]
J.J. Putz began the 2011 baseball season with two perfect months. The closer was 16 for 16 in save opportunities in April and May and did not blow a save until June 1. In June, Putz is just five for nine in save opportunities and many Diamondbacks fans are beginning to wonder what has happened […]
Since their World Series victory almost a decade ago the Arizona Diamondbacks have been known as much for their financial constraints as their ability to win on the field. Big spending, deferred payments and a lull in attendance handcuffed the franchise for years. With the team in the thick of National League West race people […]
Wily Mo Pena is quickly turning into a cult hero in the Valley. He’s one of those guys who fans love because he’s quirky, has an interesting back story and is in the midst of a hot streak. But why is Wily crushing balls like college kids crush empty cans? His secret might surprise you […]
The Diamondbacks, seeking help for a recently-beleaguered bullpen, called up relievers Yhency Brazoban and Alberto Castillo Tuesday. The D-backs optioned Esmerling Vasquez and Bryan Shaw to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Brazoban, 30-year-old veteran, joined the D-backs after pitching in parts of five Major League seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had a […]
When D-backs manager Kirk Gibson says, “We have to develop a bullpen,” he isn’t saying anything we don’t already know. While he said those words to the media Monday afternoon, could they have been directed to GM Kevin Towers? That’s the theory Sports 620 KTAR’s Paul Calvisi presented on Sports Interactive Tuesday, saying it could […]
Is the Arizona Diamondbacks’ bullpen a victim of its own success this season or rather of its lack of success last year? Sports 620 KTAR’s Ron Wolfley thinks it’s a combination of both. “Look, the Arizona Diamondbacks coming into the season the expectation was their bullpen was a huge question mark,” he said on Doug […]