The Unit will get 300 and while he will be wearing a Giants hat when he gets it; I hope the majority of DBacks fans will be ecstatic for him. The arguments on whether or not we should have brought him back have been discussed to death and there is no point in bringing it up again.

However, the possibility exists that the Big Unit could be going for 300 against the DBacks when the Giants come to town in early June. The Unit would just have to get a no decision or loss in his next start to make this scenario possible.  My question for the board is would you go to the game and cheer for Johnson? The guy is easily the best player in franchise history and won 3 of the 4 games in the 2001 World Series. Personally, if Randy is going for 300 I will be attending and even pulling for him to get it. Our season appears to be a relatively lost cause and according to Hinch’s logic it would only be 1 game, right? If we had resigned Johnson his quest for 300 would absolutely be the highlight of the season and the chance to see a guy get 300 wins just doesn't happen that often. One cannot help but laugh at the irony about the most decorated guy in franchise history who was allowed to walk has a chance to return home to reach a historic milestone wearing a division rival’s colors.  

**EDIT According to the radio, Randy has been getting a full 5 days rest between starts this year and not going every 5th day as I has assumed. Looks like the Giants will have to get a rain out in Miami for him to pitch in AZ.**

Mark Reynolds broke a bone in his left (non-throwing) hand. This may be the reason we saw him at first base last night against the Brewers.

This raises a couple of questions if the injury forces him to the DL. Who gets the majority of the AB's at 3rd? Ojeda? Tracy? I am afraid this injury leads to the Burke/Salazar/Romero black hole in left. Tracy/Ojeda at 3rd with CoJack sticking at 1B.

Our struggling offense can't afford to have Reynolds out of the lineup. This might force us to make a move.

I cannot believe I am saying this:

This team needs Eric Byrnes and not because of his locker room presence, veteran leadership, or that his television show is running out of material. But because the Diamondbacks own personal version of Orthrus (Romero & Burke) is hitting well below the Mendoza line.

We all know that Byrnes is overpaid and that we could have had someone else in LF but that ship has sailed. Right now the D-Backs are sinking faster than the HMS Ontario and the only life jacket in sight is Eric Byrnes.

Can Byrnes give us anything? What can we expect from him here on out? What is the bare minimum line we need from him to compete for the Pennant? Is being married screwing up his game? (They said it about Tiger)

Now making fun of Byrnes was/is easy because that well ran deep (intangibles, pop outs, double plays, etc.) but he is our best option in LF for better or worst. From this point forward I am going to try and be more patient* with EB.

*Still reserving the right to boo but will try not to post as many sarcastic posts about Byrnes. However, Micah Ownings consider yourself warned as you are on deck to become my new whipping boy.

Today the Arizona Diamondbacks took the plunge and placed Eric Byrnes on the 15 day disabled list.

It was a difficult decision to make with his sub 300 on base percentage and his ability to get the pitchers back to the bump quickly with his regular double plays. Byrnes was devout in his attempts to date to blind infielders all over the NL with towering popups into the sun during the season's first two months. While it is to early to tell if his unique strategy will pay off during the pennant chase it has yet to produce any immediate results.  

No official word yet if tickets sold for the next 15 days will be fully refunded as the fans will obviously have no desire to watch the first place club without its inspirational leader. Or if the team will be playing with black arm bands for the next 15 days.

All kidding aside let's hope Byrnes gets healthy during his time on the DL. That he comes back and helps the club win.

I was hoping for to see Trot Nixon with the Big Club though.

I, like many on the board thought Mad Max should be optioned to Tucson when Doug Davis returned Friday. On the surface it makes a lot of sense; let him go to Tucson and take the mound every 5th day, while allowing him to improve his command. We keep both Medders & Edgar in the bullpen and life would go on. However the rumor is that Max will stay with the big club and Edgar or Medders gets his walking papers. I think I'm leaning towards Edgar but expect Medders to be the one to go. Does anyone really think that Edgar or Medders are regulars on a championship squad?

So what are the positives of keeping Mad Max at the big league level? Looking for precendents I discovered many good to great starting pitchers who got extended work out of the 'pen in their rookie/early years.  

90's

Johan Santana (different case because he was a Rule 5 Pick)

Roy Halladay

Pedro Martinez

Curt Schilling

80's

David Cone 

Bob Welch (im starting to stretch) 

Way Back

Jim Palmer

Bob Gibson

Looking at these names I am starting to warm up to the thought of Max coming out of the 'pen this year and making a spot start when needed. Earl Weaver was a big fan of letting young pitchers earn their stripes in the bullpen before bringing them into the rotation. If Max gives us a better shot of winning games I am all for him staying with the big league club.

And with Joba moving into the rotation we will have to wait and see what happens.

*I was/am a huge Kent Mercker fan so it killed me leaving him off this list but I can only be so liberal with "good".

ADD- It's official adios Medders

Are we getting ahead of ourselves? Probably, but damn it Mad Max is making his first MLB start and this something to get fired up about. Chase Field is going to transform into "Thunderdome".  I am just glad he isn't a knuckleball pitcher or this wouldn't be nearly as much fun. 

Also, anyone have good lines that are dying to use? I mean the quotes that could come from "Thunderdome" alone might need an overflow thread.

Two Men Enter, One Man Leave.

What does everyone think about Bench Coach Kirk Gibson? Seems to me that if the D-Backs keep winning he would look like an awfully good hire for a team needing a manager next year.

Chip Hale as well but I think Gibson's days as a ball player give him a distinct advantage. I think Gibson would be a great manager.

Would Kirk Gibson be a good hire for a team needed a new manager next year? Perhaps the Mets?

On picking up career win 285, an amazing feat as he marches on towards 300!

The greatest D-Back of all time (my opinion) and is starting to show signs that he has some gas left in the tank. 3 starts and an ERA under 3.00, lets hope he stays healthy.

Webb, Haren, Owings, Unit and hopefully DD looks damn good.  

Does Randy get to 300? Can we get 25 starts out of that left arm?

I have always been a big fan of comparing numbers of unknown players, choosing one based on their numbers and then forming an unbiased opinion. Anyone want to play along? I know it is still way to early in the season for any definite conclusions but small sample sizes are no excuse for a little discussion.

Player A

(BA,SLG,OPS)

.302/.540/.920

Player B

.244/.556/.926

Player C

.214/.411/.736

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