Sorry, don’t have a good one this week. Enjoy our crew’s take on Giveaways, what this past week means, and more!
A good week in the books. Mirage due to quality of opponents or sign of things to come?
James: I think this falls into the category of it being possible for two things to both be true at the same time
Ben: I agree with James, but I lean a little more towards the poor quality of the opponent rather than a sign of things turning in the right direction. I understand that there’s no such thing as “style points” and that the wins are all that matter, but it certainly didn’t seem from watching that the D-Backs were world’s better than either team despite their disparate records.
Spencer: Heavily lean into quality of opponents. We’re seeing what the world expected of us with an average pitching. But it isn’t. They are just playing awful teams.
Makakilo: The Diamondbacks played the Rockies, the White Socks, and the Marlins. They needed to sweep the Rockies and the White Sox, but did not. It was a bad week.
This weekend, they lost the first two games against the Marlins. Ouch! These three series are a very bad sign.
ISH95: Wasn’t expecting Mak to be the one to come in from the top rope and call this a bad week! There is definitely something to it, though, especially after how the Marlins series has gone. There was room to make up more ground and it got left on the table.
Ugly incident this week, but it seems they are happening more frequently. Is MLB doing enough to control the fans?
James: The response was both immediate and thorough. The fan was ejected that night. The next day, his identity was forwarded to every club in the Majors and he has been banned indefinitely from every ballpark. I’m not sure the White Sox or MLB could have done much more. It was an appropriate response to bad behaviour. Anything more would be excessive in my humble opinion.
Ben: I disagree that the incidents are happening more frequently. I suspect that instead, we’re just more aware of the incidents because of the incredible number of microphones situated throughout the ballpark, the proliferation of cell phones, and the desensitization that’s taken over our discourse more generally. But the response was swift and emphatic from the entire league. Honestly though, the more pleasant surprise has been the reaction from baseball fans around the league.
Spencer: I was pleased with the response. I wish it was applied equally when a player is the one who shows the nature of their character, but it’s only quick and heavy handed when the on field talent is the victim. I’m happy for Ketel and pleased there is at least still a facsimile of human decency in the world, but the next time it’s a player making comments like Jarren Durran did, I expect we regress back to reused wrist slaps.
Makakilo: It was heartwarming that the Diamondbacks manager, team, players, and fans rallied to support Ketel.
It is unacceptable to attack other people. Reasons include harm to the victim, damage to relationships, society impacts, and it reflects poorly on the character of the attacker.
What was the fan’s intent?
- Was the fan a bad sport? (Wanted to negatively impact the quality of Diamondbacks’ play on the field).
- Was the fan a sadist? (Wanted pleasure from causing pain and suffering in others.)
- Was the fan insecure? (Wanted to belittle others to compensate for feeling inadequate.)
Consistent lifetime banning (from all MLB games) of fans who attack players (physically or verbally) is a good way to eventually stop the problem.
We have reached the half way point of the season, and, despite what it may feel like, the Diamondbacks are a winning team. What odds do you currently give for October Baseball?
James: I’m still at even odds. The span of games between now and the trade deadline will be pivotal. If they continue to creep upward, then Jaden has to buy to help increase the odds of teaching October. If they slip, he can start selling early and stock up for next season.
Spencer: I’m more pessimistic than James here. We’re looking fine right now. But we’re buried by teams in the running. I don’t expect us to make the playoffs. Which doesn’t mean it isn’t a successful season. But will be unfortunate given how ownership is finally showing the pockets we’ve known they have for decades.
Makakilo: After losing two games against the Marlins, they will need to perform at a very high level (their 90th percentile performance) to win 89 games per Baseball Reference’s playoff odds table. This season, because of the many teams in the running, my view is that a Wild Card berth would be a miracle with less than 88 wins (not much different than 89 wins).
Ben: At the beginnig of play today, Sunday, June 29th FanGraphs gives the D-Backs 19.6% playoff odds while Baseball Reference has them at 14.5%. I think that’s pretty fair. They clearly have the capability to play up to the 89 or 90-win pace they’ll need to make the playoffs this year. I’m just not convinced they’ll have the pitching depth to make it to that level – as evidenced by another blown lead to a pretty poor (if hot) offense in the Marlins last night.
ISH95: It’s getting real late out there. The Diamondbacks (going into play Sunday) are an even .500, and there are currently four teams between them and a Wild Card spot, three of whom are seven games over .500 or better. I think another winning season is highly likely, but I’m beginning to lose hope about the play offs. But I’ve been wrong before
What’s the best promo giveaway you’ve gotten at a ballgame?
James: There have been so many in the last 45 years that it is hard to decide. The haboob “snow globe” was pretty fun though. I’ll go with that, if for no other reason than I don’t want to think too hard right now.
Spencer: I am partial to useful items. Bobbleheads and trinkets are cool and I will rarely say no to one (I bought special tickets last year to get a unique Blue Jackets Star Wars jersey and then a Columbus Clippers Harry Potter jersey), but on Sunday the Crew is giving away a branded travel cooler and honestly that might be it for me. Use lets me show my fandom while participating in my normal life. My bobbleheads collect a lot of dust in my office.
Makakilo: I remember a small Diamondbacks hand towel that I waved at a game. Today, I could not find it. Someday, I could be surprised when I see it.
Ben: Last year, I got a cross-promotion between the Brewers and the Bucks that was a basketball jersey with Brewers’ color scheme and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name on the back. It’s a cool one to wear on the few days that warrant a tank top/basketball jersey here in Milwaukee. I’m partial to giveaways that are clothes or are otherwise useful – I’m too utilitarian for the trinkets and knick knacks they tend to give away.
ISH95: Have to agree with James on the haboob globe. Most of the giveaways get lost in a box, but that one has a place of honor on my desk.