If character and élan helped carry the Diamondbacks to the 2011 National League West title, those vital intangibles have not left the clubhouse.
The sense of spirit and determination, an uplifting feeling of energy and the ability to feed off one another appears back for more of the same.
That’s a consensus of players who attended the Diamondbacks Fan Fest at Chase Field Feb. 11. Most of the core was there, taking turns posing for pictures, signing autographs and appearing during question and answer sessions.
Given the fact that the D-backs essentially did better on the field than at the gate a year ago, an estimated 25,000, who filed into the ball park in downtown Phoenix, may indicate the team will draw more than the 2,107,087. That’s slightly up from the 2,057,135 from 2010 when the franchise finish last in the NL West Division.
With key additions from general Kevin Towers, overachievement from several players and a changed clubhouse attitude, thanks to field manager Kirk Gibson, the Diamondbacks surprised themselves and the baseball world with a complete 180 reversal in 2011.
Now, that positive energy and collective results has carried over from last season, and players believe the sense of adventure and accomplishment will continue.
“This will definitely carry over,” said centerfielder Chris Young. “We had each other and picked up each other. Guys were appreciative of what the team did and the goal ahead is all about the same thing.”
Coming into his seventh season with Arizona, Young appears ready to assume a defined, leadership role. That would complement his other skills and Young looks upon that responsibility as vital in the transition of leftfielder Jason Kubel from the American League Minnesota Twins to the National League and the Diamondbacks.
Kubel’s arrival in the desert monitors the same way which Aaron Hill easily transitioned from Toronto to the Diamondbacks. Hill he was traded to Arizona late, last Aug 23, and immediately marked his contribution with a batting average of .315 in 33 games with the D-backs.
“I look at Jason as a personal mission,” Young added. “I’ll show him what we did here. He’s a veteran guy and I hope to learn from him. He’ll have some things to bring over and I look to sharing things with him.”
If there was an indication as the character of the team, one look around the complex at Salt River, the Diamondbacks training facility in Scottsdale, reveals a telling story.
Players began gathering for off-season workouts just weeks after eliminated by Milwaukee in the NL Division Series. By late January, most of the team was busy preparing for the season ahead.
“I started in late November, and I thought I was early,” said pitcher Ian Kennedy. “Then, I found out guys were here weeks before and I felt like I was slacking. Sure, we can learn from last season, and you can’t put a price on the chemistry that developed.”
Echoing Young, Kennedy identified the one unifying element from last season.
“As early as spring training, guys were pulling for each other, ” said the 21 game winner. “We did all the small things well early, and that definitely carried over into the season.”
The sense and reality of winning came after an 8-5 win over Houston at Chase Field on Aug. 10. From that victory, the Diamondbacks were in first place for the rest of the season.
“Making the playoff was tremendous but we have unfinished business,” Hill said. “Everyone still has that last game (losing the fifth and decisive game to the Brewers in the playoffs) fresh in their mind.”
That, along with the lingering spirit and strength cultivated from last season’s championship run should provide incentive for another run.
AT SALT RIVER
Officially, pitchers and catchers report Sunday Feb. 19, and workouts begin the next day. Position players report Saturday Feb. 25 and full team workouts begin Sunday, the 26th.
The first pre-season game will actually be two. The Diamondbacks will split their squad for the first day of game action. Half will play the Giants at Scottsdale Stadium and the other half will be the visiting team at Salt River against the Rockies. Both games start at 1 p.m.
For the pre-season, the Diamondbacks will play 17 home games at Salt River and by the visitor against the Rockies in three others.
Tickets for D-backs games at Salt River are priced between $8 for lawn to $26 for the infield box.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
The regular season opens at Chase Field, Friday April 6 against the San Francisco Giants. That game is slated for a 4 p.m. start, and will be televised nationally by ESPN.
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