It’s the Fourth of July and Chase Field is packed for the first place Arizona Diamondbacks with the New York Mets in town.
I’m sitting down the first baseline with my own ticket and after walking around the park, I can feel how rejuvenated Diamondbacks fans are 85 games into the season. Corbin Carroll launched a home run into the left field bleachers off Max Scherzer in the first to really get the fireworks going.
I was here last year on the same day and the difference is evident. The fans are here to watch winning baseball, not just pass the time before taking in firework shows tonight.
Backed by three All-Stars (Corbin Carroll, Zac Gallen, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.), the 50-35 NL West leading snakes are legit playoff contenders. I heard more than a few fans discuss what this team needs to win a World Series in 2023. That’s the conversation now. (Spoiler- PITCHING).
As a side note, it’s easy to argue that Christian Walker, Geraldo Perdomo, and Merril Kelly should be All-Stars too. Pin that for now, but it’s a valid point.
Carroll is becoming a fan-favorite. I saw nearly as many of his jerseys across the ballpark as I did Randy Johnson and Paul Goldschmidt. That’s no small feat for the 22-year-old All-Star who will finish the season in the MVP conversation.
It’s a new era on the diamond in downtown Phoenix. The Diamondbacks are here, the playoffs are near, and a potential second World Series opportunity is giving fans a reason to cheer.
Happy Fourth of July.
Jordan Spurgeon
