Lovullo: Communication key to D-backs’ success

The Arizona Diamondbacks are knocking on the door of the postseason for the first time since 2011 and it’s not just their skills that’s helped rack up the wins.

In a podcast with ESPN’s Pedro Gomez, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo explained how good communication between him and the players translates to better play on the field.

That expression can be something that’s helpful and beautiful and I don’t want to suppress that so I give them that space to express themselves. I feel like I have to monitor things on a certain level, but to have them go out there with the freedom and the ability to perform with a mind that is empty with no barriers is going to make them be at their best every single day.

The D-backs are currently in a race with the Colorado Rockies for the No. 1 Wild Card spot in the National League. The Milwaukee Brewers aren’t far behind; only 4.5 games back.

In his first season as the team’s manager Lovullo has almost reached the D-backs’ win total from last year (67) with 41 games still to play in the regular season.

Lovullo’s mentality and current success with his team can be attributed to what he took away from his playing days.

As a player myself I knew that I felt like at times I didn’t have a lot of expression and have the ability to say what’s on my mind and I felt like I couldn’t go out there to perform if I didn’t have an empty mind or if I had a frustrating angle to something that could have happened so that’s why I always told myself that no matter the circumstances that I was going to allow these players to have their feelings and express their feelings.

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