Archive for February, 2009

No need to get too excited yet, however the Arizona Diamondbacks are 2-0 to start spring training. They started with a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday and then defeated the Cleveland Indians 15-9 today in Goodyear. Doug Davis is off to a stellar start.  He came in today and pitched 1.1 innings and gave up 6 runs (5 earned) on 6 hits, facing only 12 batters.  Whoa!  I realize it’s early, but if it’s going to be that way, maybe he should come up with another disease to start this season and make another emotional comeback with. [...]

Only four days into Spring Training and the Dbacks are already calling in sick.  Usually they wait until the end of May or early June before starting to call it in. Ok ok, maybe that isn’t fair; however, if you showed up to watch practice today, you had a better chance of watching the sprinklers go on and wet the fields than watching one of your favorite players. Eleven players called in sick with a gastrointestinal condition.  That figures.  Already their play is turning stomachs.  Well, probably not, but makes you wonder what they ate yesterday. Only two more days [...]

Well, the Arizona Diamondbacks avoided having to go to salary arbitration today by signing outfielder Conor Jackson. I like the move.  It means to me that the Diamondbacks want to take care of the guys they plan on having around for awhile and shows the Diamondbacks vested interest in Jackson and his long term future here. Today was the first day of full team workouts, so let the fun begin! Scott Allen

You remember the 2007 motto, Anybody, Anytime? Since we were able to secure Tony Clark for 2009, don’t you think we should revive the theme? Ok, maybe not, but here it is to start getting into the mood!

No, the Arizona Diamonbacks are not going to experiment with outfielder Eric Byrnes as a pitcher of catcher.  It may have only seemed that way when he reported to camp with group on Saturday. After a dismal 2008 season plagued with poor play and injury, Byrnes comes into the 2009 season as the team’s fourth outfielder.  He should be so lucky.  Rumors swirled that the Dbacks were going to trade or release him after what many considered to be a bust after signing a huge contract in the offseason last year. It is nice to see Byrnes doing everything he [...]

The Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers are now just a little more than 24 hours away from reporting for Spring Training in Tucson. They will be on their own until Tuesday when the rest of the team is due to report.  First full team workout is on Wednesday. The Diamondbacks return one of the better starting pitching rotations in the National League.  With Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Doug Davis, Jon Garland, and most likely Max Scherzer, the Diamondbacks are sure to lean on that group to take them deep into games and not tax the bullpen, something in 2007 that [...]

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes was on Fox Sports Best Damn Sports Show tonight to discuss the A-Rod steroid situation. Wait, Eric Byrnes is still alive?  Wow, I thought he had disappeared.  Rumor has it he actually is coming to Spring Training.  Ok, all kidding aside, he brought up some very good points on tonight’s show.  He was asked if he would vote for A-Rod for the Hall of Fame at this point.  His answer was at this point , no.  However he said it’s something that shouldn’t even be talked about yet.  He is still an active player. I [...]

Hello and welcome to Venom Strikes, an Arizona Diamondbacks Blog!  My name is Scott Allen and I hope you enjoy the ride that is the 2009 Major League Baseball Season. Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to comment as much as you wish.  This is an open forum to express your opinions.  Just keep it clean but bring it often. Scott Allen