Retrospect

In the brief instant before I threw the ball, my mind was filled with the thoughts of all that I had experienced with this baseball franchise. I became unaware of what was around me, focused on the memories of the past three years. Everything was so clear as if I were replaying a favorite movie. I recounted each of these memories, savoring them one-by-one.

Awarding the Franchise

Thursday March 9, 1995 was a very special day for me; it was my thirty-third birthday. This birthday was to take on a special meaning for me. My wife had planned a quiet evening and family dinner, followed by the annual unwrapping of gifts, but something much more profound was happening in Florida. In the late afternoon, Major League Baseball was scheduled to announce the two expansion teams that would begin play in 1998. Being a life-long baseball fan, I was very interested in this announcement. As the time for the press conference approached, I was still stuck at work. I had hoped to be home to see the announcement, but here I was in the office. My wife Trina paged me the instant the press conference began. I quickly called home where she was watching as the new teams were unveiled. Phoenix Arizona had been awarded a franchise to be called the Arizona Diamondbacks. I intently listened as she described the team's logo and colors. The excitement was overwhelming. I had lived my whole life in a small town in Idaho. Other than the short-season Pioneer League affiliate, I had never had the opportunity to see what a professional baseball team could mean to a city. Now a franchise was being created in my own backyard. My kids immediately knew their father would no longer be a Chicago Cubs fan. That evening after work, Trina and I went to America West Arena where she bought me a shirt to commemorate the new team. She joked she could only afford to give me a T-shirt for my birthday, Jerry Colangelo could give me a franchise.

Introduction of the Franchise

With the events of March 9 barely a memory, Mr. Colangelo had scheduled a special celebration at America West Arena where he would introduce the franchise to the city. At that time, fans could begin reserving a spot to purchase season tickets. Trina and I had always had an understanding. If we ever lived in a city that had a baseball team, I would get season tickets. So that Saturday morning, we took the children and went to share in the excitement this city was feeling for baseball. Although rain was forecast, people didn't seem to mind. I stood in line for an hour before I was able to secure my name on the list for season tickets. The first step had been taken. I now had an Arizona Diamondbacks hat, a baseball, and my name on the season ticket list. All that was needed now were players and a place to play.