Phoenix

Chances are that if you were around, you remember the 1986 baseball season.

A season capped by an exciting World Series that was best known for being the launching pad for several successful major league careers, including those of Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Mark McGwire, Fred McGriff, Barry Larkin, David Cone, Bo Jackson, Jamie Moyer, Steve Finley, Will Clark, and Rafael Palmeiro.

The first somewhat significant trade of the 2010 season took place yesterday between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Oakland A’s.

I say somewhat because no major names were involved, but I think it was a trade that could help both teams.

Yesterday, the Diamondbacks traded OF/1B Conor Jackson to the A’s for minor league RHP Sam Demel. Here is what both teams got.

The Arizona Diamondbacks faced the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field with demonstrators in favor of and against the new immigration laws signed by Jan Brewer (the governor Of Arizona).

The Arizona Diamondbacks are once again partnering with Fry’s Foods as part of their Fan Loyalty program. Fans that have a Fry’s Rewards card can scan their card at each Diamondbacks game and receive five points for attending.

You can receive additional points for each dollar you spend at Fry’s Foods purchasing specific grocery items. After accumulating points you can trade them in for prizes that range from Diamondbacks merchandise to autographed memorabilia to baseball experiences.

There is almost nothing like the start of the regular season for baseball fans.

Enthusiasm abounds. At the start of the season, every team is even (yes, the Yankees and Red Sox are always favored, but all teams begin together).

The Arizona Diamondbacks have started 4-2 and are second in runs scored in the National League with 42.

Their run total was helped by a 13-run outburst in the fourth inning of Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 13 runs in that inning were a Diamondbacks team record.

Let’s see what is going on with the team from the Valley of the Sun.

Kelly Johnson is back!

Earlier this week the Arizona Diamondbacks announced who would be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day.

They have given this honor to Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who recently retired.

Warner has been a fan favorite during his time in Arizona and led them to a Super Bowl in 2009. His departure from football will be greatly felt, and the Diamondbacks should be applauded for recognizing him.

While I believe that Warner deserves the honor of throwing out a first pitch, I find myself a little disappointed in the timing of this.

At this point in spring training the players have settled into their routines.

Starting pitchers are stretching themselves out to five to seven innings, building arm strength as they make their final push to Opening Day.

This is usually the time when position players try to quickly get their work in, hopefully overcome any bad habits, and most importantly, avoid injury.

The last thing a player or the team wants is to lose someone to injury just over a week before the end of spring training.

Revolutionize might be a strong word; dominate might be a little more apropos.

With the signing of his new, six year, $51 million mega-deal yesterday, Justin Upton has officially arrived.

He now has his franchise’s backing on his path to greatness and super-stardom.

As we begin this decade, he seems to be one of the best young players in all of baseball. Upton, only 22 years old, is now the face of the Arizona Diamondback franchise and, within time, might be the face of MLB as well.

I am going to have to admit, I am pretty tired this morning.

Last night was the playoffs of my Team Trivia league, and it was a long night for a Tuesday.

Like the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, we finished in second place and earned a silver medal.

While we didn’t accomplish our ultimate goal of finishing first, I will take solace in the fact that we finished ahead of a team that had a girl who was on Jeopardy! on their squad.