So... we have a team that by most common measures, is under-resourced with regard to talent, depth and money... And yet, for 2 consecutive years now, they have somehow scratched and clawed and fought their way into post season contention in back to back seasons. Last year getting thru the Wild Card game and Torey winning Mgr of the Year.
While I know it's so seductive when our team is actually winning and has a legit shot at post season play... it's stretches like this where we are reminded of the odds that are so stacked against a team like the Dbacks - and IMO, the incredible job Hazen and his team, and Torey and his staff have done in patching together a team with so many players who would not be seen on a routine basis on most other major league rosters.
But hey, we're here... Still tied for first place on August 29th! Truly amazing. And unlike last season when at this time we had a very comfortable feeling about reaching the post season, this year we are now effectively in post season play. And it's that reality that is now setting in and in some cases, causing guys to choke. Ahmed's running mistake last night is Exhibit A. And of course, being shut-out in back to back games when our starting pitchers have tossed gems, and when we had multiple instances of runners in scoring position, only to fail time and again...Exhibits B, C and....
Having played the game for the first 26 years of my life, I can recall a few occasions where I witnessed this first-hand. I can remember a few times where, when the ship sprung a leak and we were suddenly tossed off course over a sustained period of time late in a season with a ton riding on each game, guys began to look at one another in different, more cynical ways. "Maybe he's not the player I thought he was..." "Maybe I need to do more to cover up for his inadequacies..." "Maybe I need to step up and be the hero..." I would not at all be surprised if this is happening right now on this team. It's an easy trap to fall into and sometimes, you don't even know you're in this mindset until it's too late! Like Ahmed...I would bet a lot of money that prior to the moment he was rounding 3rd base, he was not consciously thinking to himself - "I need to be a hero in this game...I need to make a play to get this team a W..."
But, in my own experiences, it took leadership to snap us out of this mindset. First from our coach, and then from our best player who, one night on the bus after yet another disappointing loss, gathered us all in the back of the bus and helped us clear our heads. He level-set expectations... Reminded us of why we play the game and all of the great stuff that had taken place over the entire season that brought us to the point we were at (leading our division with less than 12 games left in the regular season).
We had a game 2 days after that bus trip, which we won. We played .500 the rest of the way which was enough to get us into the playoffs, where we lost a gut-wrenching nail-biter of a series to the team that would go onto to winning the championship.
The point here is that both Torey and Goldy need to step up as leaders, level-set this team, bring them together as they were at the start of the season, and inspire.
The reality is that just based on talent alone, this team shouldn't be where it is... Therefore, there may likely be no words and no real ability for Torey and Goldy to use that would get this team above and beyond the level of play they are at right now. Given the woes on offense and the now very clear melting down of our bullpen, would it really be a shock if this team finished the season 3rd in the West?? Don't think so...
Anyway, I am certain Torey is keenly aware of all of this. One of his strengths is being able to relate, communicate and inspire players. So I have no doubt he is doing this as I type. I hope it can somehow translate onto the field. Though, looking at the schedule and what lies ahead, and knowing that both LA and COL are superior teams with respect to talent, I'll stick with my prediction that the Dbacks ultimately finish 3rd in the West...but hoping beyond all hope that I am happily proved wrong!!!
