They Got in the Way: Diamondbacks

In case you’ve missed our They Got in the Way series, we are letting Fansided’s editors/fans of eliminated teams rant about their recent heartbreak.  Check out the Yankees and Phillies to catch up.

But now, enjoy the reflections of Scott Allen from Venom Strikes on the end of the Diamondbacks.

That stupid Beast Mode.  If I see that thing one more time…

Of course it is the one lasting thing in memory as my Arizona Diamondbacks fell to the Milwaukee Brewers in five games.  Every game was won by the home team, although if you ask me, the Dbacks could have beef with the umpires in games two and five in Milwaukee.  Crucial calls in both games that could have completely changed the complexion of the games and the entire series.

Let’s not, though, go and blame the umpires.  Please.  As much as the umps messed up several calls and did seem to lean towards the Brewers in the series, it was the Dbacks who did themselves in.  In each of the two games, two and five, the Dbacks had their chances to dig themselves out of the bad calls and didn’t take advantage.  I suppose it would be easy to say I’m extremely disappointed, but the truth be told, the Dbacks went further than most believed they would, including myself.

The real issue that took hold in the playoffs though was the offense, or lack there of, at least on the road.  What was frustrating during the Brewers series was the Dbacks almost decided it was better to go with what got them there instead of changing things up.  Like pitching to Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun in game one.  Ian Kennedy talked Kirk Gibson into letting him pitch to them.  He paid for it.  The Dbacks had their first runner of the game thrown out at the plate.  I liked the aggressiveness the Dbacks displayed but there is a fine line between being aggressive and dumb.  On the road, runs come at a premium, as the Dbacks found out, scoring only seven runs in three games in Milwaukee.

In the end though, it would be the respectful thing to do to congratulate the Brewers on a nice series.  Hey, they were the better team, but I still think the Dbacks are the better professionals.  What were those F-bombs Nyjer Morgan threw out after beating the Dbacks in game five?  I mean, I know you haven’t been there before, but really, act like you have been there before.

It really comes down to that freakin beast mode though.  That might be the dumbest thing to hit sports since the wave.  As far as I’m concerned, both can be outlawed in baseball and all sports.  I know I might be blowing things out of proportion with the beast mode, but I still can’t think about the Brewers and not think about that.  At least I won’t have to see it in the World Series.

The Dbacks had a great season and did a good job stretching the Brewers to five games.  They will only come out better though in 2012 in my opinion.  They will only tinker with the roster, make a few changes, and will compete again for the NL West in 2012.  Beware all!