The Arizona Diamondbacks found themselves on the big stage in the World Series. Nobody expected them to be there, and they knew it.
Since then, the team has made sure to add vital pieces to their organization in hopes of competing once again and winning the whole team.
It’s what pitcher Zac Gallen dubbs a new era of Diamondbacks baseball.
He recently penned in The Player’s Tribune about the team falling to the Texas Rangers in the Fall Classic and how it just made them hungry for more:
Now, though, it’s time to turn the page,” Gallen said. “It’s on to next year — and to even bigger things.
What I’m looking forward to the most? How I know our fans, just like us, are going to be back with a vengeance. And they’re going to be along for the ride from Day One.
I can’t wait to experience that.
Before this year, ever since I arrived in 2019, there hasn’t been much for people to cheer about. And that’s on us. We didn’t play up to our potential, and our fans weren’t happy about it. Rightfully so. I wouldn’t have been happy either as a fan.
But that was a different time. And we’re never going back to it.
Just two seasons ago the Diamondbacks were at the opposite end of the spectrum with 110 losses to their name. In 2023, they clinched a playoff spot in the wild-card series, upsetting the Atlanta Braves and then sweeping the always-favored Los Angeles in three games.
This Arizona team just hit different.
I remember, before Game 1, walking back to the dugout after team introductions, and I said to Torey, “They don’t think we ******* belong here.” And Torey, he looks me in the eye, and he goes, “They don’t.”
Then we went out and scored six runs in the first.
After that, I think they knew we belonged.
We really were just playing free. And anytime you have a young group, the best scenario you can have is to play free. That’s when the talent can take over, because you’re not thinking about expectations or in terms of what you’re supposed to do.
Now, the team isn’t slowing down in the offseason. Since the World Series bid, the Diamondbacks signed outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to a three-year extension and signed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year deal, and there will be plenty more moves to occur as the winter months roll by.
“It’s a whole new era of D’backs baseball, as far as I’m concerned,” Gallen wrote. “I can’t wait to see where things go next. See you all in March!”
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.