SnakeBytes, 12/31: At The Closing Of The Year

The last day of 2011, and I think we can all agree it was a pretty good one for D-backs fans. We'll get into that side of thing ourselves once the calendar has changed, but there a few other retrospectives to be found, in what has generally been a very quiet week for Diamondbacks news.

Looking back:

• [FoxSportsArizona] 2011 rewind: 'Magical' turnaround for D-backs - "Several times last spring training, Kirk Gibson said it might take five years for the Diamondbacks to absorb all of their new lessons. Five months later, they had control of the NL West."
• [ArizonaSports.com] Radio calls from memorable D-backs season - I think I may have to make these my phone ringtones...
• [dbacks.com] Banner year one to remember for D-backs - "It was a magical ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. From walk-off homers to winning streaks to a rare earthquake while the team was in Washington D.C., it's a year that will not soon be forgotten."
• [SBNation Arizona] 2011 End Of The Year Awards - Not surprisingly, a few D-backs mentioned here, and we haven't even got to Team of the Year, which will be announced on New Year's Day...

Looking forward (or sideways...or whatever!)

• [dbacks.com] D-backs primed to build on season of success - D-backs manager Kirk Gibson has vowed that his 2012 team will be every bit as aggressive and hungry as the 2011 version. "Everybody else is going to retool," Gibson said. "Last year we were under the radar. It's not going to be like that this year. We understand that."
• [mlb.com] Surprise team of 2011, D-backs not standing pat - One of the things Gibson will do is continue to emphasize the fundamentals, believing that all the work that was put in last spring only scratched the surface. Better sliding, better decision-making when it comes to taking the extra base and improving on cutoffs and relays are just some of the things he plans to focus on during the spring.
• [AZCentral] Diamondbacks charity gave $14.9 mil in 10 years - Even more impressively, Eric Byrnes' contract is not included in this figure...
• [MLB.com] Hall on D-backs' success - D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall chats with Brian Kenny of MLB Network about the team's success in 2011

Around the NL West

• Giants: Twitter / @beisbolporgotas - "Yusmeiro Petit, a 27-year old former #Marlins, #Dbacks RHP, signs a minor league deal with #SFGiants: several sources from his native Vzla" He's likely a better bet than their current $19 million #5 starter. Bwahahahahaha...
• Dodgers: [Forbes] Ruling By Judge Could Reduce Sale Price Of Dodgers By $300 Million - "Even at the reduced price all of the creditors would get paid fully (estimate need of about $900 million). But after paying his lawyers, taxes and ex-wife Jamie a $130 million settlement, McCourt would likely be left with nothing" In other words, just like Dodgers fans for the last 22 seasons. Bwahahahahaha...
• Padres: "The Padres' financial well-being remains a question that troubles some in ownership. Some believe former owner John Moores might wind up back in control if Jeff Moorad can't meet his financial obligations." Bwahahahahaha...
• Rockies: [ColoradoRockies.com] Rockies hope additions mesh well with core - "I don't think anybody we bring in from the outside is going to change our culture, our environment," O'Dowd said.
  
  
  Bwahahahahaha... [Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]