Opening Day to be a ‘special occasion’ for D-backs manager Torey Lovullo

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The wait ends Sunday.

And for Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, it’s been a long wait.

Opening Day 2017 will mark Lovullo’s first as a Major League Baseball manager in this his 31^st season in professional baseball.

Asked what his emotions may be when he steps out of the dugout and out onto the field at Chase Field, wearing D-backs Sedona red, Lovullo paused, before opening up about his family.

“I’m a fairly emotional guy,” he said. “I lost my Dad in January, so I’m going to be thinking a lot about him.”

Lovullo expects a large group of family and friends to be in attendance on Sunday, when the D-backs host the San Francisco Giants.

As many as 75 people are coming “from six or seven different states,” he said earlier this week.

“It couldn’t be any more of a special occasion for me because of what they are doing to get here in supporting me. And it’s been a long journey for a lot of people around me in my life, so for me to be able to touch them a little bit, share with them that I’m going to be thinking about them throughout the course of nine innings is going to be a nice way for me to connect with them; and I’m looking forward to having everybody here.”

Lovullo added with a smile, “They’re coming in by the bus load. It’s a big Italian family, that’s all I can say. They support me and I love them for that.”

Lovullo was named the D-backs eighth manger in franchise history on Nov. 4.

After nine seasons as a minor league manager in the Cleveland and Boston systems plus another six on major league staffs, including the past four as Red Sox bench coach, Lovullo, 51, has been given the reigns to his own team.

And while Opening Day is one game of 162, there is something special, almost magical about Day 1 of a Major League Baseball season.

“It doesn’t matter where you are,” Lovullo said, “you can be in Little League, you can be in high school, you can be in college, in this case, the highest level where at the major league level Opening Day represents a lot of hope and a lot of excitement.”

BASE HITS

— For players, like right fielder David Peralta, Opening Day is on the same level as Christmas Day, taking you back to your childhood.

“That’s the best part of the season, when it’s Opening Day. You feel excited,” he said. “Like when you’re a little kid and you got your new toy, you’re so excited. You can’t wait to open it and everything. That’s Opening Day for us. We’re excited to see the season start. It’s going to be good.”

— Making the Opening Day roster is one thing, starting on Opening Day is another. Brandon Drury checked off the former last season and will accomplish the latter this season.

Drury, 24, is the D-backs starting second baseman.

“I’m really excited. This is everything you work for is to be here in the big leagues on an Opening Day roster,” he said. “I’m excited to get this season going. I think we’ve got a great team.”

— First pitch on Sunday is scheduled for 1:10, but the Opening Day ceremonies begin at 12:30.

The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by former Phoenix Suns star, Final Four hero and two-time NCAA Champion Grant Hill and the National Anthem will be performed by the most recent winner of American Idol, Trent Harmon. At the conclusion of the anthem, four F-16s from the 390^th Fighter Squadron “Wild Ducks” at Luke Air Force Base will do a flyover above Chase Field and the 300’ x 150’ American flag in center field.

The roof will remain open for the game, which is sold out, so fans are encouraged to dress accordingly and wear sunscreen and a cap.

— A year ago, left-hander Patrick Corbin finished the season in the bullpen. This season not only does he find himself back in the rotation but scheduled to pitch game two against the San Francisco Giants.

On Tuesday, it will be Corbin and Johnny Cueto, an 18-game winner last year.

“I still had confidence last year in my ability,” said Corbin, who went 5-13 with a 5.15 ERA in 2016. “The ball wasn’t coming out how I was used to and this year I feel it’s a lot easier to hit my spots. I feel strong and confident and ready to go… just ready to start the season off on a good note.”

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