ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

David Peralta’s thank you message to D-backs fans following trade

Jul 30, 2022, 9:00 PM | Updated: 9:12 pm

David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks signs an autograph for a young fan before a game again...

David Peralta #6 of the Arizona Diamondbacks signs an autograph for a young fan before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 08, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Whenever the Arizona Diamondbacks took the field over the last several seasons, David Peralta would look out to the left-field stands and pump his arm like a train conductor. The fans would do it right back.

The D-backs traded the fan-favorite “Freight Train” to the Tampa Bay Rays for 19-year-old catching prospect Christian Cerda Saturday, and Peralta had a message for Arizona’s fans while getting interviewed on Bally Sports Arizona after the news dropped.

“It’s just, thank you,” Peralta said. “That’s the only thing I can say. Thank you to the fans in left field who every time I was running to take my position they were always cheering for me, they were doing the train. I just want to say thank you. I’m going to keep all the fans in my heart. I love you with all my heart.

“Thank you and go D-backs.”

Peralta was in the D-backs’ organization for a decade and a big-leaguer since 2014. He is third on the franchise leaderboard in games with 961.

The 33-year-old said during the interview the trade is difficult to process. It’s the first time he’s been traded, and he said he asked friends last offseason what it is like.

General manager Mike Hazen told reporters Saturday that he and Peralta had an emotional phone conversation before the deal was announced.

“In one part, I’m sad because I’m leaving the organization, leaving my teammates, they’re all my little brothers,” Peralta said. “On the other side I’m excited to start a new challenge and new journey with a new team.”

The D-backs entered their game Saturday 7.5 contests back of a postseason seed, while the Rays are in a wild card spot and give Peralta a greater chance to play late October baseball this year.

Peralta said he’s taking every moment, good and bad, from the past nine seasons with him to Tampa Bay.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks talks with home plate umpire Lance Barksdale ...

Arizona Sports

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo at peace with 1-year extensions

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he is out to prove himself every year, even if he would love to stay with Arizona long term.

14 hours ago

Josh Rojas #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is tagged out by Sean Murphy #12 of the Atlanta Braves a...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks out-executed by Braves, win streak snapped

Atlanta ended Arizona's six-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory, one in which Spencer Strider tossed six innings with two earned runs.

14 hours ago

Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks out to the pitchers mound against the C...

Alex Weiner

D-backs extend manager Torey Lovullo through 2024 season

The Arizona Diamondbacks and manager Torey Lovullo agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2024 season.

14 hours ago

Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks tosses a ball while watching batting practice...

Wills Rice

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo: ‘I want to stay here for the rest of my life’

Now the D-backs have had success, Torey Lovullo may be a hot name for bigger markets looking to make a splash with an experienced manager.

2 days ago

Corbin Carroll #7 of the Arizona Diamondbacks high fives manager Torey Lovullo #17 after scoring a ...

Kellan Olson

Diamondbacks walk the walk in 6th straight win, beat Braves

The Arizona Diamondbacks made a statement with Friday's win over the Atlanta Braves by excelling in the margins to win a tight game.

3 days ago

(Twitter Photo/@Dbacks)...

Character Counts

D-backs donate $25K to Sarah Langs’ ALS initiative on Lou Gehrig Day

The Arizona Diamondbacks donated $25,000 for ALS research, contributing to MLB research extraordinaire Sarah Langs' #FistBumps4ALS initiative.

3 days ago

David Peralta’s thank you message to D-backs fans following trade