Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Ad Nauseam
Did you know that "Live" is playing after the Diamondbacks-Phillies game on Saturday? You didn't? Then where in the world have you been living this past week? Under a FREAKIN' ROCK?
Really, people, I don't think the Diamondbacks could be hawking that concert anymore if John and George were coming back from the dead to join Paul and Ringo after a Mets game.
Speaking of which (hey... not a bad segue, if I do say so myself), at least last night's 4-1 Diamondbacks loss to the Mets didn't make me nauseous, a condition the Reds series threatened. Brandon Webb pitched well, but Tom Glavine -- he of a sub-2.00 ERA at BOB -- pitched great, and it was basically all over after the first inning.
Oh, yeah, there were those double-plays by Glaus and Gonzo in the 7th and 9th innings. Those didn't help, either.
***************
I haven't weighed in thus far on the "is the NL West worth winning" question that's been going round Diamondback-ville (and exactly which side of the tracks does that reside?). So here, in brief, is my view.
TRY TO WIN THE THING!
I understand the desire to see Conor Jackson get more playing time, but it's not like Tony Clark is having some so-so, Clayton-like season. Clark is our most consistent hitter this season, and has generated almost as much offense as Troy Glaus in half the at-bats.
I could understand if the Diamondbacks played in any other division and were 10 games out. But they're not. They're 4 games out with 36 games to play. Most of those games come against divisional opponents. The Diamondbacks can, without a doubt, win this division. Will they? I don't think so. But would it surprise me? Not really.
And all that fear that people will merely remember the NL West champion as the worst champion ever? Forgotten by next year, if not sooner -- the Atlanta Braves have hardly developed a reputation as playoff world-beaters.
I like Conor -- I think he'll have a good major league career. But his major league development can wait another 2 or 3 weeks if need be.
Really, people, I don't think the Diamondbacks could be hawking that concert anymore if John and George were coming back from the dead to join Paul and Ringo after a Mets game.
Speaking of which (hey... not a bad segue, if I do say so myself), at least last night's 4-1 Diamondbacks loss to the Mets didn't make me nauseous, a condition the Reds series threatened. Brandon Webb pitched well, but Tom Glavine -- he of a sub-2.00 ERA at BOB -- pitched great, and it was basically all over after the first inning.
Oh, yeah, there were those double-plays by Glaus and Gonzo in the 7th and 9th innings. Those didn't help, either.
***************
I haven't weighed in thus far on the "is the NL West worth winning" question that's been going round Diamondback-ville (and exactly which side of the tracks does that reside?). So here, in brief, is my view.
TRY TO WIN THE THING!
I understand the desire to see Conor Jackson get more playing time, but it's not like Tony Clark is having some so-so, Clayton-like season. Clark is our most consistent hitter this season, and has generated almost as much offense as Troy Glaus in half the at-bats.
I could understand if the Diamondbacks played in any other division and were 10 games out. But they're not. They're 4 games out with 36 games to play. Most of those games come against divisional opponents. The Diamondbacks can, without a doubt, win this division. Will they? I don't think so. But would it surprise me? Not really.
And all that fear that people will merely remember the NL West champion as the worst champion ever? Forgotten by next year, if not sooner -- the Atlanta Braves have hardly developed a reputation as playoff world-beaters.
I like Conor -- I think he'll have a good major league career. But his major league development can wait another 2 or 3 weeks if need be.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Rage
How much more of this must we endure? It's like the starting rotation has finally been infected with the inconsistency virus that has plagued the offense and bullpen since the start of the season. What was that movie -- 28 Days Later? You know, where a single drop of blood transmits a virus (named "Rage), turning the recipient into a snarling, murderous extra from a George Romero movie in, like, 30 seconds?
Brandon Webb and Claudio Vargas and Tony Clark must be holed up somewhere in Glendale, ready to fire away at, say, Brad Halsey.
A day after their 12-game road trip ends disastrously in Cincinnati (4-8, somehow still only 4 games behind the Padres), the Diamondbacks return home to face the Mets and the Phillies.
And it's all I can do to not ignore it all completely.
My virus is apathy -- and it's catching.
Brandon Webb and Claudio Vargas and Tony Clark must be holed up somewhere in Glendale, ready to fire away at, say, Brad Halsey.
A day after their 12-game road trip ends disastrously in Cincinnati (4-8, somehow still only 4 games behind the Padres), the Diamondbacks return home to face the Mets and the Phillies.
And it's all I can do to not ignore it all completely.
My virus is apathy -- and it's catching.
