Jun. 4, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Saunders against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

It wasn’t that long ago that the only professional sports team in Phoenix, Arizona was the Phoenix Suns.  That changed in 1988 when the NFL’s Cardinals moved to the desert and became the Phoenix, then Arizona Cardinals.   This was followed by the birth of the Phoenix Coyotes  who were relocated from their former home in Winnipeg before the 1996 season.    Finally, Major League Baseball came to town with the Arizona Diamondbacks  playing their first game in 1998.  

So how can a person living in New York accurately gauge the temperature of the sports scene in Phoenix?  Well, the truth is I can only speculate what the pulse of the people is in the Valley.  However, there are enough nuggets of information out there for me to form a somewhat enlightened opinion.  We can start with the D-Back Fan Fest that took place in February.  The estimated crowd was 25,000 compared to 10,000 that showed for the 2011, a staggering increase for a team that finished last the prior two seasons.    They are a team that is starting to become stacked with potential superstars.  At this point in his career, Justin Upton  is just about at the level of what Larry Fitzgerald  means to the Cardinals,  Steve Nash  means to the Suns and Shane Doan  means to the Coyotes.   Mix Upton in with an ace in Ian Kennedy  and a colorful character such as Ryan Roberts  and you can see why it didn’t take long for Arizona fans to fall in love with this team. 

Fans are hungry to see a winner.   Builidng on their National League West Championship, the Diamondbacks are on the verge of having a prolonged winning period.  Might I add, the only pro franchise to win a Championsip was the Diamondbacks in 2001.  The Cardinals finished strongly last season but until they can settle their QB situation, it is hard to picture the Birds matching the potential success of the D-Backs.  The Suns appear to be on the verge of entering a painful, but hopefully not long, rebuilding process.   Given how the NBA is shaking out with superstars pairing up, maybe the best scenario for the Suns is to miss  the playoffs and to get lucky in the lottery.  Although they are playing admirably, the Coyotes can not expect to see any sustained success as long as their ownership situation remains unsettled. 

It is all there for the Diamondbacks to become the leader of professional sports in Phoenix.  Now all they need to do is to back up my words. 

Follow me on Twitter @ltj41 and at www.clearthebases.net

Sep. 25, 2011; Phoenix AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks fans hold up a poster before the game against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE

I was scouring the sports section of the Arizona Republic today and I came across a Phoenix Suns ticket holder that sent a complaint to the editor about being a season ticket holder who misses out on discounts and promotions just for people who buy single-game tickets.  I immediately had a couple of thoughts.  First, would an Arizona Diamondbacks fan complain too and, secondly, what’s he complaining about?  He has season tickets and us single gamers don’t.  I think he should take a long hard look at the reasons why he is complaining.

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Now, the sports scene in Phoenix is wild tonight.  We have the Phoenix Suns.  However, that game is on ESPN.  Why does it need to be on Fox Sports Arizona as well?  Share the wealth.  The Phoenix Coyotes are only available on NHL Center Ice, but at least there is an option. 

My point is, in a market this big, there should be alternatives in this day and age.  I checked the schedule, there are at least 12 other games I count that will not be on television, but will be available on MLB.TV. 

Scott Allen