ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs’ Upton: ‘We did nothing but get better’

Feb 13, 2012, 6:00 PM | Updated: 6:54 pm

The Arizona Diamondbacks won the NL West in 2011 with a
roster made up of few stars.

After all, for every Justin Upton and Miguel Montero there
was a Ryan Roberts and Gerardo Parra. For every Ian
Kennedy there was a Josh Collmenter.

In short, the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks did not have the
look of a great team on paper. But that’s why they play
the games, and now possessing the cache that comes
with being a division champ, the team returns in-tact —
maybe even upgraded — looking to repeat last year’s magic
and repeat as division champs.

“We did nothing but get better,” outfielder Justin Upton
told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo Saturday at
FanFest.

Upton mentioned the additions of Trevor Cahill, Takashi
Saito and Jason Kubel as important new additions, but was
equally pleased with who’s coming back.

“It’s hard to break up a team that gelled that well
together,” Upton said. “We were about as tight-knit as a
team as you could get last year and that’s something that
you don’t want to break up.

“For us to bring everybody back and then jump right back
in where we were last year as a team is going to be fun.”

Winning is fun, so it’s no wonder Upton has fond memories
of last season’s group. Though there are high expectations
heading into this season, there’s no reason to think the
D-backs can’t handle it.

After all, this roster has done it before.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno continues get better throwing runners out

Gabriel Moreno had a breakout defensive season for the Diamondbacks last year, and he continues to improve his strengths.

4 hours ago

Ketel Marte...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks stay in rut offensively, cannot solve Padres’ Dylan Cease

The turning point of Friday's Diamondbacks loss to the Padres was clear, when the game turned from pitcher's duel to blowout.

18 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas, Paul Sewald taking steps to return next week

The Diamondbacks are targeting next week's Cincinnati Reds series for center fielder Alek Thomas and closer Paul Sewald.

23 hours ago

Relief pitcher Matt Bowman #51 of the Minnesota Twins throws against Ehire Adrianza #13 of the Los ...

Kellan Olson

D-backs acquire reliever Matt Bowman, move Merrill Kelly to 60-day IL

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired right-handed pitcher Matt Bowman from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday for cash.

2 days ago

Beekeeper clearing the bees at Chase Field D-backs-Dodgers game....

Bailey Leasure

Hero beekeeper Matt Hilton getting own Topps baseball card

Matt Hilton, the beekeeper who cleared the bee swarm at Tuesday's game between the D-backs and Dodgers is getting his own Topps baseball card.

2 days ago

Jordan Montgomery...

Alex Weiner

What went wrong for Jordan Montgomery, Diamondbacks in loss to Dodgers

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said nothing went the way they expected after a blowout loss to the Dodgers.

3 days ago

D-backs’ Upton: ‘We did nothing but get better’