D-backs’ Torey Lovullo is a ‘huge fan’ of Cardinals RB David Johnson

Aug 31, 2017, 5:41 PM

Arizona Sports

PHOENIX — With the Cardinals playing their final preseason game of the season on Thursday night against the Broncos in Denver, the Diamondbacks looked toward their next assignment, which happened to be in Colorado, as well.

After finishing a six-game homestand against the Giants and Dodgers at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks were tasked with facing the Rockies, with whom Arizona is battling for the top Wild Card spot in the National League.

On their way to the Mile High City, Arizona’s players were having some fun dressing up for their upcoming fantasy football draft by wearing (mostly) NFL jerseys for their flight to the mile-high city.

Jersey day. #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/Sjr6WtaEqf

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) September 1, 2017

Brandon Drury wore a Seahawks Russell Wilson jersey on Thursday morning when he arrived to the clubhouse. Fernando Rodney wore a Larry Fitzgerald jersey.

What did manager Torey Lovullo wear?

“David Johnson,” Lovullo said. “Huge fan. I had a chance to meet him earlier this year. He came in with his wife and child and spent about 15, 20 minutes with me and I felt like — he was so humble. I didn’t know I was around greatness.”

Greatness is a fitting word for Johnson, the young Cardinals running back who had more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage last year, his sophomore season in the NFL. In many fantasy drafts this season, he figures to be the first overall pick.

“I looked up statistics and I’m hearing about the fantasy draft, and he’s probably the No. 1 pick in the fantasy draft,” Lovullo said. “You would have never guessed that with him just sitting in my office talking shop. The way he was just carrying on, he’s a humble, humble man and I appreciated my time with him.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda, of Japan, throws a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Greinke throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt watches the flight of his two-run double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda, of Japan, pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Jake Lamb, center, celebrates his run scored with A.J. Pollock (11) after Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda, left, of Japan, gave up a two-run double to Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

From right to left, Arizona Diamondbacks' Zack Godley, Adam Rosales, Nick Ahmed, and Chris Iannetta celebrate a two-run double by Paul Goldschmidt against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda, right, of Japan, walks in from the bullpen after warming up with catcher Yasmani Grandal, left, and is joined by interpreter Will Ireton, middle, prior to a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Curtis Granderson, left, argues with umpire Jeff Nelson, right, after being called out on strikes against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda (18), of Japan, reacts on the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Iannetta, right, during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Iannetta, left, passes third base coach Tony Perezchica (1) as Iannetta rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda, of Japan, sits in the dugout after pitching the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda, of Japan, watches a two-run home run hit by Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' A.J. Pollock, right, arrives at home plate after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers as teammate Paul Goldschmidt, left, looks on during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda, of Japan, looks at a new baseball after giving up a double to Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt during the third inning of a game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenta Maeda, of Japan, pauses on the mound after giving up a double to Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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