The team technically still controls it’s own destiny at time of writing
Look. Even on the east coast with a job requiring I miss many Diamondbacks’ games played in Pacific Mountain Arizona Time, I know what a poor showing we’ve had these last three games… It’s disheartening and for those of us here who are passionate about the team, aggravating coming off a World Series appearance. If Arizona misses the playoff entirely in 2024, it will be the first time since 2007 that both reigning League Champions miss the subsequent Fall Bracket (St Louis defeated Detroit in the 2006 World Series but both teams missed the playoffs in 2007).
However, the team posted a winning record. The team withstood a Dodgers-sized number of injuries throughout the year. The team encouraged fans to return to a dilapidated ballpark to watch our boys in Sedona Red and “Teal” make their push. Unlike 60% of MLB fanbases, we cared about games in the final week of the season. Rather than wish for Josh VanMeter to strike out, we instead get to root for Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, Lourdes Gurriel Jr and the rest to get the hit and/or make the defensive save.
No matter what happens in the final 4 games of the 2024 season, the season as a whole is a success. Yes in the next few days and weeks, your emotions will take over. That’s the nature of fandom. Yes there will be gloating from your least favorite poster when the team fails as they foretold, or inches into the playoffs as they foretold. That’s the nature of fandom.
If the team fails to make the playoffs, the drought of consecutive appearances will lengthen by two years. And you might argue that after a World Series appearance, missing the playoffs entirely is in fact disappointing. There’s certainly a discussion to be had there. Thankfully, our team is not leaving us after the season (and I don’t mean in an Oakland Las Vegas Sacramento? Tr8tors sense). The core of this Arizona Diamondbacks team is young. They are under contract for years to come. Mike Hazen will have some difficult holes to fill in 2025, 2026 and 2027, but these players are all controlled (pending massive CBA changes) throughout: Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, Geraldo Perdomo, Jordan Lawlar, and many more.
So yes, hem and haw all you need. About the unlucky plays/days, about fans giving up too soon, about Torey’s use/nonuse/misuse of [insert player name here].
So yes, shout to the mountaintops about how excellent it is that Corbin Carroll pulled out a second consecutive 20-20 season! Or the amazing foresight of the Front Office to nab Suarez and Joc for prices belittling their contributions! Or how much success we’ll be able to enjoy from Justin Martinez once his rookie woes are behind him.
And when you’re done, join all of us Arizona Diamondbacks fans next March for the elation that is the unending optimism of Spring Training.
After all, that is the nature of fandom.