Um, so. How did everyone enjoy the DBack's day off? Relaxing, I hope? In case you haven't heard about the upheaval in the Diamondbacks organization, then, uh, you should probably scroll down and read the two stories below, and the assorted comments. Go ahead, we'll be here when you get back.
Back? Good. The season continues, though, so we'll start as tradition dictates, with a look at the upcoming series:
Series Previews:
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[yahoo.com] Dodgers-Diamondbacks Preview - Yes, despite all of this, we do have the Dodgers and Manny's dreads bearing down on us.
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[miamiherald.com] Los Angeles Dodgers (43-35) at Arizona Diamondbacks (31-48) - First outing for Gibson against his old team. Should be interesting.
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[cbssports.com] Dodgers-Diamondbacks Preview - Oh, right, and Edwin Jackson will be facing his old team, too.
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[truebluela.com] The Glorious Past Says Hello - Our SBN brethren give a look at the upcoming series.
After the jump: a lot of reactions to the big move.
I mean that. A lot.
DBacks News:
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[dbacks.com] Gibson, Dipoto move up in D-backs shakeup - "Their dismissal is a significant decision, but one that we find necessary in order to achieve a direction of winning consistently on the field again."
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[azcentral.com] Random thoughts after the firings - "In the same way that Byrnes put himself on the line by hiring Hinch, it seems like Hall has done that with this situation. It’s like he’s stepped in, taken charge and wants to get things turned around. What if things don’t turn around?"
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[washingtonpost.com] What were the Diamondbacks thinking? - "So now the Diamondbacks have gone from a disappointment to a disaster."
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[yahoo.com] The Diamondbacks will soon regret the firing of Josh Byrnes - "And yet I fully feel compelled to chime in given that one of MLB's 30 franchises just tore the sail off its boat and threw a worthy captain overboard."
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[sportsillustrated.com] Deadline sellers and latest news on D-backs, Orioles and Marlins - From the second page: "One source said that while Kendrick is well-liked, he has a "bit of Steinbrenner in him,'' for good or bad."
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[fangraphs.com] Did Josh Byrnes Deserve to Be Fired? - "No one could have seen this coming. And it’s not like hiring a new GM is going to make these guys pitch better."
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[azcentral.com] Dbacks: End of an Error - All hail Dan Bickley, King of the AZCentral Trolls. You knew he would be thrilled about this.
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[phoenixnewtimes] Arizona Diamondbacks Fire GM Byrnes, Manager Hinch -- About Time - I include this because it's pretty much the only piece I've come across that is in favor of firing Byrnes, apparently. And it's the New Times. Yeah.
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[foxsportsarizona.com] Bowden: D-backs drop skipper, GM [video] - Jim Bowden gives his take on who the candidates for the full-time GM position are: Kevin Towers, Kim Ng, and Logan White, who he says is the front-runner
Lot of reactions, and they mostly seem to go the same way. Why was Byrnes gone, too? I think we'll regret this move, a lot.
Around Sports:
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[yahoo.com] He missed the tag? Umpire blows call (no!) during Rays-Twins - Sometimes, it feels like the umpires are blowing calls to force Selig to put in instant replay.
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[pittsburghlive.com] Mentalist: I can make The Pittsburgh Pirates win - If he can make the Pirates into winners, then I really will be impressed with the Amazing Kreskin.
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[examiner.com] Astros trade Cash to Boston - With Victor Martinez on the DL, the Red Sox traded for Kevin Cash from the Astros. One fewer possible destinations for Chris Snyder?
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[mlb.com] Dugout scuffles might not be bad for teams - Mark Grace discussed something similar in his radio interview a month or two ago, though in his discussions they at least kept the disputes in the clubhouse and away from the eyes of the public.
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[espn.com] Guillen bunting when he should run - The discussion continues over when a sac bunt is the right choice.
Your Daily Strasburg:
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[albanyherald.com] So we’ve now seen Strasburg, and ... - Cranky old men are not impressed with Strasburg- he's no Tim Hudson. And get off his lawn!
Okay, new period for the Diamondbacks starts today. Kirk Gibson, Jerry DiPoto, show us what you got.