The D-backs are in the World Series, which is weird enough to write, considering it’s been 22 years since their last (and only) appearance. Stranger still, I’ve found myself rooting harder for them than I ever could have imagined.
I’ve lived in Phoenix since I was 7 — that’s 35-something years of sun-baked brain damage — but I was born in Chicago, a tortured Cubs fan from the get-go (speaking of brain damage).
When we moved to Arizona, the D-backs didn’t exist. The Phoenix Suns were the only professional team in town. And because of WGN, it was still easy to keep up with the Cubs.
The D-backs didn’t debut until 1998, and there was just no way I was going to flip my allegiance. It didn’t feel natural; it would have been betrayal. I was stubborn, and I took heat from friends and coworkers: You have to root for the hometown team! No you don’t … and I didn’t. Cubs, Bears, Bulls for me. The 1993 NBA Finals between the Suns and Bulls could have ended friendships! The way I see it, any Suns fan who moved to, say, San Antonio or Los Angeles would never root for the Spurs or Lakers. Just like a D-backs die-hard wouldn’t suddenly cheer for the Dodgers if they moved to L.A.
I’ve always watched the D-backs, but never felt particularly invested. But something happened in the past, ohhh, six to seven years. That something: We had kids. Two boys. I love baseball and work in baseball and so, naturally, games are usually on around the house. I have always — and will always — watch/follow/root for the Cubs. But we can actually take the boys to D-backs games and they see friends wearing D-backs apparel. Nevermind that every team in their Little League last season was named the D-backs, with some variation of color and design in their jerseys (that’s just smart branding).
It’s made this unlikely postseason run for the D-backs something of a bonding moment. (Though I’m a little jealous: I waited 39 years to see the Cubs in the World Series and my kids get to see their team make it in less than 10 years. Spoiled rotten, these kids.)
This isn’t some maudlin George Will or Bob Costas ode to the passing down of baseball to future generations. But when our kids seem so preoccupied with Minecraft or Roblox or YouTube, it’s heartening to hear, as a lifelong baseball fan, that they want Corbin Carroll jerseys or want to stay up to watch the end of a game, even if we’re still working on the basics:
7-year-old: "Guys, the bases are loaded!"
Me: "And what happens if someone homers with the bases loaded?"
7-year-old: "A quadruple home run!"
Naturally, it’s easier to root for a winning team. And there’s plenty of time to teach our kids about the agony of 100-loss seasons or the business side of sports. But for now, this it not just a winning team, but a fun team to watch. The D-backs drafted and developed players, which inspires more of a connection than big-money free agents (those always help a team, too, though). And they have personality. Our 7-year-old has called outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. “Mr. Cool Shoes.” And, well, he has a point.
I’m not sure how long their interest in baseball will last. But they’re at an age that this excitement about the D-backs has captured their attention. It’s been the perfect moment to turn them into fans — and me, too.
We’re incredibly lucky to be taking them to Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night. Although that’s a tougher sell than you might think considering it’s the same night as Halloween (turns out, kids really love candy). But as I told them: Halloween comes every year, but you never know with the World Series — you may not see it again for another 22.