It is said that everyone has a special, amazing, creative, unique, and even awesome talent...some you can see in athleticism on the field, on the mound, or with the bat, and some are off-the-field and said to be well-hidden.

Check this out, Gang! Our very own Ryan Wheeler has a hidden talent of sorts...he's very much into beat boxing and has fun with it!

While perusing YouTube & Twitter, I found this:

Ryan Wheeler's Hidden Talent

While perusing my Tumblr feed last night, I got a wild hair and looked up some Diamondbacks to see if there were pix or fan pages about them and indeed there are! While doing a search for anything on our very own Ian Kennedy, I came acrossed a really amusing picture and saved it to my hard drive so I can share it here with you all...let's just say The Wizard Of Oz will never be the same again!

We're Not In Kansas Anymore, Toto!

Hey Fellow Snakepitters!

I'm sure we are all happy to have our beloved sport of baseball back, and our amazing team in action again :)

I went to the Opening Day game at Salt River Fields between our Diamondbacks & the Rockies and took a ton of pictures at this game...Thought you would all like to see what I captured on my camera from that day. I'm impressed with this batch and am glad I have a place to share them with you all. The link I will be posting is to my MLBlog site...so without further adieu, I bring you the game through the lens of my Nikon...

http://rockkstarr11.mlblogs.com/2012/03/06/picture-post-2012-spring-training-opening-day-game-rockies-vs-diamondbacks/

I, like many others, am a fan of scrappy infielders and in the game, there have been many names that come to mind upon hearing the word scrappy: Augie Ojeda, Craig Counsell, Ryan Roberts, Ozzie Smith, Troy Tulowitzki, just to name a few...but one I didn't mention sticks way out in my mind: David Eckstein. I discovered him with my fave AL team, the Angels, just as I discovered Joe Saunders with that same team. Eckstein really left an indelible impression on me not just for his scrappy-ness, but for his size and stature. Not every baseball player has to be 6-some-odd feet tall and built like a brick outhouse you know. These players range in all sizes...and what David Eckstein lacks in height, he makes up for in attitude, heart, and scrappy-ness.

I'm glad he was a Diamondback, even if it wasn't for as long as I'd hoped for, and I am happy to say I got to meet him and talk with him many times. He is an amazing guy and a true talent. He will be sorely missed by me and many other fans.

Farewell X Factor...Good Luck & God Speed!

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/22/david-eckstein-37-has-retired-from-baseball/

It's a sad, bittersweet day for Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, & Milwaukee Brewers fans as a very familiar face to each of these clubs is retiring, ending a 15-year career...Craig Counsell, known to many as "C.C.", will be joining the Milwaukee Brewers, taking on a front office position with the team.

I've been a fan of Counsell's since way back when in his early days with the Rockies, along with former Rockie & Diamondback Quinton McCracken...Craig has always been known for his quirky batting stance and his quiet nature...also for his music selection for his at-bat song, the ever-popular "All Along The Watchtower" by the late Jimi Hendrix. Also a big fan of The Police, Craig has been known to drive into ballparks jamming the tune "Don't Stand So Close To Me".

Good Luck C.C....you'll be missed on the field but I'm sure this isn't the last we'll hear of you!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/craig-counsell-will-retire-from-baseball-join-milwaukee-brewers-front-office/2012/01/17/gIQAeRqg5P_story.html

I GRADUATED from college on Friday night of this weekend with an Associates of Science Degree (which they also consider to be an Associate Arts degree) in Dental Assisting...which also leads me to the news of my new job!!!

I became an official employee also on Friday when me and the 4 other newbies at work were recognized at our employee Christmas party that afternoon. I work at a dental lab, where dentists send in patients' impressions for retainers, dentures, veneers, partials, crowns, bridges, etc are made. We also fix partials, bridges, etc...we have delivery drivers who pick up the orders and also take them back to the dentists and we also have out of town and out of state orders we ship UPS. I work Front Office, where my job is to scan work order documents and also check in the work orders we receive each day...so yes, I found something pertaining to my major. It's a pretty cool job and the people are great. It's owned/ran by a Bulgarian family and we Americans are the minority but hey, we all get along great and each day is an adventure working there...so I thought I would share my good news with you all in case you hadn't heard.

Looks like Rusty Ryal WILL be back in the States...the Dbacks have picked him up on a minor league deal...it was posted earlier via the DBacks Twitter...after a friend told me about it, I went snooping and apparently the post had been deleted...so I tweeted the DBacks Twitter and got in return:

So there you have it...all I can say is we have enough freakin' infielders...I hope he stays in AAA with Abreu!

Say goodbye to pitcher Kam Mickolio...he is on his way to pitch in Japan, says ESPN's Jerry Crasnick on his Twitter page...

Looks like yet another Diamondbacks player is well on their way to Japanese obscurity, much like former Diamondbacks Rusty Ryal, Alex Cabrera, & Chad Tracy in the past few years...I had a feeling he wouldn't be back and would fall victim to being either traded, released, or of course, sent overseas to pitch. 

Snakepitter Jinnah can now rejoice, as her man Willie Bloomquist WILL be back in Sedona Red, Black, & Tan in the spring...the Diamondbacks and Bloomquist have reached a 2-year, $3.8 million agreement late last night, and a deal has been made...so yes, things could get interesting in the mix of Bloomquist, John MacDonald, and Stephen Drew during Spring Training...each vying for a spot on the roster and a position on the infield...

DBacks & Willie Bloomquist Reach 2-Year Agreement

Looks like Henry Blanco is following suit to Willie Bloomquist. What am I referring to? Henry has decided to opt out of his $1.15 million deal with the Diamondbacks! In what will be his 15th season in baseball, Henry will be seeking employment elsewhere after spending this year being Miguel Montero's backup.

Article can be found here.

Remember in the days of seasons past when players could smoke in locker rooms and dugouts...remember when David Wells was drunk on the mound while pitching in a game...remember Darryl Strawberry getting busted for drugs and drug abuse? 

Here's some interesting reading I came acrossed while reading Tumblr: someone created the All-Vice Team...I found this rather interesting and humorous so I invite you to see what you think...maybe even who you would add...to this lovely bunch of guys.

Here is the link for the thread via overthemonster.com:

http://www.overthemonster.com/2011/10/25/2513254/the-all-vice-team

Just read on Twitter via Steve Gilbert that our very own manager, Kirk Gibson, has been awarded the 2011 NL manager Of The Year by The Sporting News. For the AL, the award went to Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon.

Here is the article for you all to check out:

Congratulations Captain Kirk! Totally deserving of this award!

[Edit by Jim: He's the second D'backs manager to win this - Bob Melvin did so in 2007. Note that this is not the one given out by the Baseball Writers' Association of America - it's a bit like the Golden Globes and the Oscars, basically. However, it's a good indicator, with six of the past seven BBWAA winners in the NL having also won the SN award, including Melvin, so things look good for Gibby. The exception was 2008, when Piniella got the BBWAA and Fredi Gonzalez took the SN. The BBWAA category will be announced on November 16]

Hey Gang!

I am thinking about creating a song playlist for my iPod Touch of songs that were either played at the games or reminded us of the 2011 season. Now, my question to you all is this: If YOU were to create your own amazing, totally awesome playlist to jam out to in the car or on road trips, plane trips, whatever the case may be, what would your playlist consist of? I know we all have different musical tastes, so I'd love to see what creative minds you all are when it comes to music.

Have fun with this!

First off, I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to our team and its management for providing us with one of the most memorable, fun seasons we've had in a LONG LONG TIME...also, to Jim and all of  the creative minds here at Snakepit, for the stories, the fun, humorous .gif creations, the camaraderie each member has with one another...for the fond memories and good times...and of course, for all of my fellow fans here at the 'Pit...EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ARE AWESOME!!!

It's been a fantastic year, full of laughter (Gibby's stumble over first base during infield drills, Joe Saunders stepping in Justin Upton's bubble gum while going to the plate for an at-bat), and also tears (Stephen Drew's season-ending injury, Derrick Hall's announcement that he has prostate cancer)...we've seen some amazing talent join the team (Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Hill, Jarrod Parker) and some who we had no choice but to bid farewell to due to not living up to expectations (Aaron Heilman, Melvin Mora, Russell Branyan, Esmerling Vasquez, Kelly Johnson)...we've had the Injury Bug hit us unexpectedly (Stephen Drew, Xavier Nady, Geoff Blum, Jason Marquis, Juan Gutierrez), and we've also had a resurgence of a  player's baseball career (Sean Burroughs)...we enjoyed a reunion with the 2001 World Series Championship team and a return to the original team colors during reunion weekend...we saw a player become superhero status in the form of TATMAN (Ryan Roberts) and the first-ever tattooed Diamondbacks Bobblehead (Ryan Roberts), a few AMAZING GRAND SLAMS, STELLAR starting pitching, including a 21-game winner & potential Cy Young candidate (Ian Kennedy), and 2 of our own be honored as All Stars (Miguel Montero & Justin Upton)...we also hosted the All Star Game & all its festivities...and, we also had a new, beautiful Spring Training home open this year for our Diamondbacks and NL WEST brothers, the Colorado Rockies...Salt River Fields. I would say we have had A LOT of wonderful, bittersweet things happen this year!

ALL of these things were significant in The Season That Was: Your 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks. I'm interested in what 2012 will bring for our team.

Recently, I had a few 'Pitters ask me randomly and sporadically if I know the music that certain members of our Diamondbacks are using this year to come up to bat with, as in plate entrance music, and also to warm up and pitch with...so I got a hold of my friend, who is the Diamondbacks' musical director and requested this year's list of Player Music from him. Today, he sent me a complete listing, so without further fanfare, I bring you the 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks Players' Music:

Okay Ladies...this is THE PLACE for us to talk baseball, baseball eye candy, and other female-adoring topics...you asked for this...you got it! Also, feel free to post any pix of the player you think is total eye candy...this could be FUN! The guys don't want to read our SQUEE-FESTS so let's just do it all in here! 

Now, without further adieu...

Let's get the party started!!!

Just got word that our beloved slugger Wily Mo Pena has been released by the Diamondbacks...this coming not long after he was designated for assignment by the team. I figured they would keep him on for September call-up purposes, or, try to trade him for some pitching help. Alas, to no avail. Goodbye Wily Mo...it was nice to have you here, even if it was just for a cup of coffee, so to speak...

Here's the link to the article I found on this:

http://www.prorumors.com/2011/07/rumors/arizona-diamondbacks-release-wily-mo-pena

Yesterday, I attended the first day of the All Star Fan Fest in downtown Phoenix. I took the lightrail down, as parking downtown is usually A: expensive and B: a joke. I got my ticket, which, by the way, if you are a college student, using your college ID comes in handy because it gets you $5 off the admission price, which is $30, unless you bought tickets already in advance with your All Star Game package. *I got tickets with mine but they are for Tuesday and I cannot use them...so if anyone needs tickets for that day, I happen to have 3 available...*

I met up with my friend Mark once I got inside and we began to check things out. We came away with many different pins from The Pin Man. If you go there, tell them you were recommended by April & Mark. Also, every hour on the hour from 10:00-4:00, they give away a free pin to the first 100 fans in line (this is at the All Star Fan Fest Pin Trading area)...I got 4 out of the 6 since we found out about it after 11:00.

There are many fun interactive things for both kids and adults to do...Fox Sports Arizona's Fantasy Play-By-Play is one of the fun ones, offering the fan 5 different video clips to be the broadcaster on...I did the Chris Young walkoff homer vs. the Padres for mine. There's also a chance to audition to be an MLB network on-site reporter (I did that one...it was fun), there's a place where you can have your photo taken and put on a baseball card of your own to keep, and so much more!

I really enjoyed Fan Fest...this one was my first actual one seeing it all from beginning to end as a fan. The other one I've been to, which I worked all 5 days of, was the one held in Denver in 1998 when the Rockies hosted the All Star Game. I ran the Fantasy Play-By-Play booth there and really had fun watching fans be broadcasters. After my shifts each day, I'd hang out and do some of the interactive things, meet players/get player autographs (I met the legendary Don Larsen that way), and enjoy Fan Fest too. 

So if you are in the area and have the chance to take in the festivities, I say DO IT! 

We all know that baseball players, like any athlete, tend to be a bit on the superstitious side. After all, our very own Eric Young used to wear the same socks over and over each day of the season without washing them until the season was over. Why? Because he said the socks were lucky and gave him some good luck when he played...I know, it's weird, and a bit unhealthy, but hey, on the subject of the weird and unhealthy, let's take a look at the one superstition that Wily Mo Pena has talked about publicly...THIS ONE is even worse than E.Y.'s sock superstition!

Wily Mo Pena's Weird & Nasty Superstition

We all know about the recent "Tie Gate" prank on Kirk Gibson by Kelly Johnson and J.J. Putz, but did you know that back in the day, our beloved manager Gibby made a commercial for Right Guard Deodorant?  Now I see where Charlie Sheen's "Major League" character, Ricky 'Wild Thing' Vaughn, picked up the saying for the end of his own Right Guard commercial in "Major League 2"...

Check out Gibby here in this commercial:

Kirk Gibson's Right Guard Commercial

I shall tell you this now: 

After today's game, the Diamondbacks outrighted infielder Sean Burroughs to make room on the roster for WIly Mo Pena, who they've called up.

Here is the official word I got, via Twitter:

dbacks Arizona Diamondbacks   by FOXSPORTSAZ

#Dbacks outright Sean Burroughs after today's game to free up roster spot; 9 of next 12 games will be played in AL ballparks

Gang, you got your wish...it may not be Mora but it's one of a few people you were hoping to see gone...

Record: 36-30. Pace: 88-74. Change on last season: +10

How many of you Diamondback fans remember the 80's movie "Fast Times At Ridgemont High"? Remember the late Ray Walston as the teacher, Mr. Hand? In the game today, we had a young Mr. Hand, specifically Brad Hand, pitching against our Diamondbacks, vs. our very own Daniel Hudson. In the first inning of the game, there was plenty of excitement, as both Willie Bloomquist and Justin Upton drew walks, Ryan Roberts popped out to 2nd base, Stephen Drew had a double, driving in 2 runs, but also getting tagged at third base trying to get himself a triple. Chris Young got a base hit, but the inning came to a close with Xavier Nady flying out to right field. 

Continue reading this post »

Well, I said last night that they should DFA his sorry arse...and it has happened...which now leads to the question of who will they bring up to replace him? I say BRING BACK BARRY ENRIGHT!!! 

I am just glad to hear of Galarraga The Horrible's DFA: he deserves it for as lousy as he's been. Sorry to rant, but it's only true!!! He's been awful and his stats prove it, as well as his chew-out session to the media the other night suggests. Good riddance, Gala-Caca!

BEAT THE BRAVES!!!

Here is the article about his passing, via AZCentral.com/The Arizona Republic:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/2011/05/17/20110517harmon-killebrew-dies-in-scottsdale17-ON.html

I once had the pleasure of meeting Harmon Killebrew at one of the Baseball Legends games held at Scottsdale Stadium. Harmon was a wise man, and very much a wonderful person. He always took the time to talk to fans and share with them the wisdom and knowledge he had of the game. I am happy I got to meet him and shake his hand, alongside getting his autograph on something. The autograph didn't mean as much to me as meeting him did though. Sure, the signature is nice, but there's more to a player than just their autograph. I will never forget Harmon Killebrew...RIP Harmon...

As a baseball hat collector, baseball fan, and a person who appreciates a great sense of humor, I thought this would be fun to share with everyone here in the 'Pit. I came acrossed this via my Twitter feed and found it to be rather humorous...and hey, our Diamondbacks even get a mention in this! These hats are very hideous! Check it out and see what you think.

The 20 Ugliest Hats in Major League Baseball

Since I got a zoom lens for my camera as a Christmas present, I thought that Spring Training would be the perfect opportunity to try out the new goody for my digital camera. I took a TON of pictures at the games I went to and I comprised an album on my Photobucket account with the pix I consider my favourites. Also, there are some that friends took for me...one which includes my dad and I from the night we went to the Diamondbacks/Giants game while he was here for a week, one which includes my friend Don from Denver (known as Rockpile Ranter on Purple Row and MLBlogs) while he was here for a few days, and some of me with some familiar faces from the Diamondbacks and some new faces you'll get to know from our team as well. 

Take a peek at these and afterwards, please feel free to leave comments. Enjoy!

http://s313.photobucket.com/albums/ll365/RockkStarr12/The%20Best%20Of%20Spring%20Training%202011/

An article on my favourite bullpen brat...Aaron Heilman :) Just my two cents here of course, but I would love to see Aaron get his shot and totally compete for a starter's role. He's slimmed down considerably and gotten himself in great shape to compete, so who knows? He could do it!

Here's the story I found about Aaron, courtesy of AZCentral.com:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/2011/02/17/20110217arizona-diamondbacks-notes-aaron-heilman-starting-spot.html

As this long year dwindles down to its last few hours, I just want to take this time to wish you all a very Happy New Year. If you plan to be out and about tonight, please be safe and use caution. After all, this is one night of many holidays that the drunks are very rampant on the roads. Also, we all want to see you still here with us in 2011. I know it's been a year of emotion for many of us, between losing relatives, the DBacks struggling through a very tough season, and many other things that have happened in our lives. Through it all, we've endured as a 'family' of sorts, baseball brings us all together from many walks of life. 

Here's to another upcoming season of Arizona Diamondbacks (and Major League) Baseball. May 2011 be a great year for all of us!

Happy New Year Everybody!!!

Hey Gang,

I've been home to Colorado to visit family this past week (just got back last night), and will be heading out to Palm Springs for Christmas Eve with more family and then Christmas Day in Los Angeles with family friends, so I thought I would take the opportunity while available to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May you all have a safe holiday weekend with your families, loved ones, and friends. 

I'll be returning home to the Valley Of The Sun once again on Monday and will catch you all then...before I go, I will tell you all the BIG present I am receiving for Christmas: 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks Season Tickets!!! I am very excited about this since I've never been a season ticket holder before. I believe my seats will be in left field...those will be ordered sometime this coming week while I am out of school for my 2nd week of holiday break.

Yesterday, my friend and I went to Scottsdale Stadium to take in our first Arizona Fall League game of the year. We sat on the home team's side of the field and took in the action and the wonderful weather. It was a perfect day for baseball! The only annoyance we had was Superfan Susan and her BIG mouth right acrossed the aisle from us, chanting the SAME THINGS over and over at each player. She sure had the guys behind us laughing at her too. One guy said, "You know, there IS some entertainment value to her. Her manly voice makes everyone laugh!" A couple of the players were rolling their eyes at her as they came off the field but she didn't catch it. We did.

Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper hit his first home run of the season in this game and had a few more hits alongside of that. Colorado Rockies player Jordan Pacheco (one of my two favourites in AZ Fall League, our very own A. J. Pollock being the other) was the Scorpions designated hitter and provided some hits and RBIs. There was lots of excitement in the last 3 innings as opposed to the whole game itself I thought. A few amazing leaps and catches in the outfield. Some awesome hits from each team. There were even a couple plunked batters by mere accident via control problems from each team's pitchers. Also, a player on the Saguaros was nailed in the face by a foul ball that screamed into the Saguaro dugout rather fast. I sure hope he's okay! He sat in the dugout holding a bag of ice to his face the rest of the game :( Pretty good crowd out there...5,000+ fans the announcer said. The end result? Scorpions 13, Saguaros 9. Daniel Stange got the victory. For a while there, it looked like the Saguaros were going to be the winners till the Scorpions turned on the heat once again in the 8th inning.

After the game, we got to talk to Jordan Pacheco, A.J. Pollock, Marc Krauss, Daniel Stange, Xavier Avery, and Alan Zinter. Alan and I know each other from his Sidewinders days and he's still just as awesome as ever. Always has a smile and a hello for the fans. His son was one of the batboys. Wow, how Alan's kids have grown since I last saw them! Alan told us he'll be coaching in Mobile this coming season. We congratulated Daniel Stange on his upcoming wedding. That's his first plan after the Fall League season ends. The rest of these guys are looking forward to the holidays and Spring Training. 

All the autograph hounds were there in full force, pissed because Bryce Harper wouldn't sign for them. Bryce, when he was leaving, did give some kid his pair of cleats, however, so that made the kid's day. I thought that was great.

The Scorpions remain in first place and I hope they continue this the rest of the way.