Requiem for the 2006 Arizona Diamondbacks

by user Sasha

Due to the recent and untimely death of the '06 D-Backs play-off hopes, I would like to take the time to deliver their eulogy. At the end of the '05 season the D-Backs finished a couple of games under .500 and just behind the Padres for the division title. Almost right after the end of the World Series, Javier Vasquez requested a trade so that he could "be closer to his family". Vasquez was eventually traded to the White Sox for Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, Luis Vizcaino, and minor league prospect center fielder Chris Young. The Snakes also completed trades, obtaining Johnny Estrada for relief pitchers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal, and Miguel Batista and Orlando Hudson for Troy Glaus and prospect Sergio Santos. In addition to the trades the Backs signed outfielders Eric Byrnes, Jeff DaVanon and infielder Damion Easley, they also signed pitchers Kevin Jarvis (minor league deal) Terry Mulholland (Minor league deal) and Jason Grimsley.

And so Spring training began and the D-Backs did well. There were a few minor trades with Infielder Alex Cintron going to the White Sox for relief pitcher Jeff Bajenaru, relief pitcher Jason Bulger going to the Angles for infielder Alberto Callaspo (bit redundant don't you think), and Brad Halsey to the A's for Juan Cruz. So as the Spring Training ended the line ups were set like this:

SP 1. Brandon Webb 2. Orlando Hernandez 3. Miguel Bautista 4. Russ Ortiz 5. Claudio Varges

Line Up Catcher- Johnny Estrada First Base- Conor Jackson Second Base- Orlando Hudson Third Base- Chad Tracy Short Stop- Craig Counsell Left Field- Luis Gonzalez Center Field- Eric Byrnes Right Field- Shawn Green

Bull Pen Closer- Jose Valverde Jason Grimsley Greg Aquino Luis Vizciano Brandon Medders Juan Cruz Brandon Lyon

Bench Jeff DaVanon Damion Easley Andy Green Tony Clark Chris Snyder

So the season started and in April the D-Backs were at about .500 (ether a game above or a game below). In May the D-Backs exploded. Webb got off to an 8-0 start,Valverde was the best closer in baseball and the D-Backs offense was firing on all cylinders. The Snakes then traded "El Duque" to the Mets for Jorge Julio. The D-Backs were on top of the world with a five game lead in the West and then Valverde blew several saves in a row. Julio then became the closer, Webb got his first loss, and to top it off Grimsley was released unconditionally for being busted with HGH and Gonzo was accused of using steroids during the '01 championship year. The D-Backs would win 3 games in June. Around this time Russ Ortiz was released (he had been on the DL for a lot of the year and towards the end he was moved into the 'pen) he had yet to win a game, he still has not. After the break the Snakes rebounded and climbed back above .500 and nearly to back the division. July was the third good month of the year. In August the Diamondbacks declared they were still in it by acquiring El Duque's brother Livan Hernandez, then they fell below .500 again. Then they traded Shawn Green to the Mets for a minor leaguer. At the end of August the Diamondbacks had a chance to claw there way back in and they blow each and every series. And now the Backs have lost 4 games in a row each one they had the lead until at least the 6th (3 the 8th) and with that may the D-Backs rest in peace.

P.S. This article was done all from memory so please fell free to fix as you will. Also towards the end I rushed so it isn't my best. Oh and anyone who sees any bad spelling please fix.