It was a career day for Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo on Tuesday.
With a 9-3 victory over the Miami Marlins, the skipper picked up his 354th victory with the team, passing Kirk Gibson on the all-time winningest manager list. Lovullo is currently in his sixth season manning the D-backs, originally joining the ballclub in 2017.
Following the W, outfielder David Peralta and shortstop Nick Ahmed led a clubhouse celebration for Lovullo, highlighted by the latter handing the manager a game ball.
These guys would run through a wall for Torey.
pic.twitter.com/uiXmY3a90O
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 11, 2022
“I’ve known Torey since he got here, first day. Look at that smile, the same smile.” Peralta said. “It’s amazing how you turned this clubhouse around. You make this clubhouse family. All the hard work you put in … it’s all paying off right now. It’s an honor to be a part of the journey we’re doing right now. Setting a new franchise record does not happen (fast) and I’m really happy for you, man. that’s why we play hard for you because you give everything to us.”
Ahmed echoed Peralta in what Lovullo means to the shortstop and the rest of the roster.
“I played for a couple different managers before you got here, but things changed when you got here,” Ahmed said to Lovullo. “We’ve had some up-and-down years but you’ve stuck with us every step of the way. Every one of these wins was celebrated together as a group and with you. You always had our back. every person in this room feels that and knows that and we appreciate that about you.”
And in typical Lovullo fashion, the skipper looked to the team effort put in to achieve the new franchise wins mark.
Our skipper. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/6K7UKDA7Ys
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 11, 2022
“This is a we-over-me thing, trust me,” Lovullo said. “I know that a lot went into this, there was a lot of effort every single day, every single year. A lot of you guys have been here for the ride with me, so I just want to say thank you. Thank you for the effort, thank you for the trust that you place in me, the staff.
“And when you walk in that door, you guys put your egos and you get taught and you trust. That’s a big word here. We got a long way to go you guys. We’re on the right page, we’ve worked hard to get on this page. Let’s not take anything for granted. My ask is we don’t let off the gas pedal for the entire year. We come out tomorrow and we play our best baseball game. Means a lot, thanks you guys.
The D-backs and Marlins are back in action Wednesday afternoon at 12:40 p.m. Tune to ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2.