ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

The D-backs’ bullpen cart has already led to shenanigans before Opening Day

Mar 29, 2018, 9:48 AM

Only two exhibition games and a morning with 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station into its career, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ bullpen cart has already been a catalyst for tomfoolery.

Doug & Wolf host Doug Franz stepped aside from his radio duties on Opening Day and floored it without crashing — he thinks he got it up to 20 mph.

Thankfully, the cart got its tires broken in before Thursday. Reliever Archie Bradley was the first D-backs pitcher to make use of the new mode of transportation Monday in an exhibition against the Indians.

D-backs president Derrick Hall isn’t sure if the relievers will use the cart to begin the regular season.

“Would you want to be the first one and then if something goes wrong, do you want to say, ‘oh, man, it’s because of that cart’?” Hall told Doug & Wolf on Thursday. “So we may be just driving out jackets.”

“I have not put any pressure (on players to use the cart). We just said, ‘you guys, we get it — you’re too young to see one of these.'”

But Bradley wasn’t the only player to use the cart in the exhibition game, the first of the year at Chase Field. On Monday, relievers Yoshihisa Hirano and Brad Boxberger also made use of the new set of wheels. Hirano, who signed with the Diamondbacks out of Japan this offseason, got a kick out of it by leaving his interpreter in the dust.

“They teased his interpreter and made him run behind it,” Hall said.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Zac Gallen...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks agree to TV, cable and satellite channel contracts

The Arizona Diamondbacks will air on linear TV channels as well as streams under an MLB-produced broadcast partnership in 2024.

1 hour ago

Jordan Lawlar, D-backs...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar to have thumb surgery

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar will have surgery on his right thumb after tearing a ligament, GM Mike Hazen said on Wednesday.

17 hours ago

General shot of Chase Field...

Bailey Leasure

What’s new at Chase Field for the 2024 D-backs season?

The Arizona Diamondbacks 2024 season will see the team debut new food items, enhancements to the ballpark and giveaways.

22 hours ago

Bryce Jarvis #40 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws a pitch during the second inning in the game ag...

Vincent DeAngelis

Bryce Jarvis starting season in long reliever role for Diamondbacks

Twenty-six-year-old Bryce Jarvis will start the 2024 season in a long relief role for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

23 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

Reports: Diamondbacks, LHP Jordan Montgomery agree to terms on contract

The Diamondbacks and big-ticket free agent pitcher Jordan Montgomery agreed to terms on a contract, according to multiple reports on Tuesday. 

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Zac Gallen says Diamondbacks are ready for opponents’ best daily

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the excitement surrounding his second straight Opening Day start for the Snakes, and the overall excitement the team has for the coming season.

2 days ago

The D-backs’ bullpen cart has already led to shenanigans before Opening Day