Arizona Diamondbacks: Torey Lovullo simply tweaked what was there

Faith in his team

Lovullo knew he had A. J. Pollock, a Gold Glove winner, in centerfield and the double play combination of Chris Owings or Nick Ahmed at shortstop with Brandon Drury at second, was adequate.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Picking up a veteran presence in Jeff Mathis and Chris Iannetta behind the plate strengthened that position over Wellington Castillo from the previous season.

All of which presented Lovullo with a foundation which was capable of winning.

Though the roster appeared competitive, Lovullo instituted a policy of communication and accountability. Quickly, the players bought into his open message and a desire to discuss matters, other than baseball, with each player.

Yet, Lovullo represented one component within the perspective of the moment. Speaking to Call to the Pen during the Arizona Diamondbacks postseason run, Bradley put an exclamation mark to that point.

"“I think it starts at the top,” he said. “No offense to Torey, there was a lot of pressure on him the first time he addressed us. We thought, what was going to be his message.? What was his tone going to be, his demeanor, and how he went about talking to us? From the first meeting we had with him, and the words he spoke, they kind of hit me. It was the first time in a while when your leader or coach, the guy you’re going to follow for the season, says something and you stood up a little straighter. The hair on the back of neck stood up a little, and it’s from that moment forward I saw a real change for the better.”"

While the Arizona Diamondbacks players recognize the value of his words and the deeds of his actions, now the baseball world takes stock of Torey Lovullo.

Next: Arizona Diamondbacks: 2017 season in review

Only one of three candidates for National League manager-of-the-year, Lovullo clearly received the support of his players and the Arizona organization for this honor. Later this week, pundits and fans will see if the baseball world, in its voting, follow in like appreciation.