If you’re a D-backs fan who was filled with anxiety and nerves throughout the postseason last year watching Arizona’s run to the World Series, then you know how Tommy Henry felt this Monday.
The D-backs left-hander woke up that morning with his nerves working overtime.
The former University of Michigan standout was anxious for the Wolverines’ matchup against Washington in the college football national championship game that night.
Henry, who grew up in Michigan, was a Wolverines fan even before he helped pitch them to within one win of the 2019 College World Series title. For Michigan to capture its first national title since 1997 was a really big deal for Henry.
“Monday, I woke up just ready to go,” he said. “Loud music playing at 8 a.m., just pumped, and then the afternoon was the hardest part before the game started. That was when I was the most nervous, in terms of I just wanted it to start, like, 'Let me see how it's gonna go.'”
Henry watched the game on TV with a couple of former Michigan teammates.
When he pitched for the Wolverines, Henry was known for his calm, cool demeanor on the mound. It’s a different story when he watches Michigan play.
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“I was more nervous this [national championship] game than I was pitching in a national championship game,” Henry said. “It was totally due to the fact that when I'm pitching, I know that for all my life I've done everything I can to prepare for this moment, I'm as ready as I possibly can be. I know I did everything I could to put us in a position to get the best result that we can, so I can live with however this is going to turn out. Whereas, as a fan, I’m not even at the game. I have no influence on it whatsoever, and that’s the scary part.”
As much as he enjoys watching games at Michigan Stadium, Henry turned down tickets to watch the Wolverines' final regular-season game against Ohio State, and he didn’t try to get tickets for their semifinal game in the Rose Bowl or the championship game.
Henry feels he’s better off watching big games with a smaller group. He tuned into the Ohio State game with his father and watched the Rose Bowl with teammate Pavin Smith.
“I just like to be in my own space for those four hours,” Henry said. “I just like to be able to process it in my own way. Get a front-row seat to the TV.”
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Photos: Kelsey Grant/D-backs |
To celebrate Three Kings Day, D-backs shortstop Geraldo Perdomo visited his hometown league of La Canela in the Dominican Republic to play a little baseball and pass out gifts.
“For me, for my family, it’s very important to support the community, to support all the kids,” Perdomo said. “Because when I was that age, I never had someone come to my community. For me, it’s special to just come to the field and see the kids and take photos and talk to them.”
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Perdomo -- dressed in his home white D-backs uniform -- handed out baseball gear, cleats, gloves and toys to local children at a field that has a mural of him with the quote “las practicas hacen posible lo imposible,” which translates to “practices make the impossible possible.”
While taking the D-backs’ social-media team on a walking tour near his home, Perdomo came upon some kids playing baseball. They were using bottle caps off of a milk jug as a ball and a stick as a bat.
Perdomo couldn’t help but stop and take his turn hitting as well as pitching.
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Today is the deadline for arbitration-eligible players and teams to either agree to terms, thus avoiding arbitration, or to exchange figures for salary arbitration. The deadline to exchange figures was originally Friday, but it has been moved up to 6 p.m. MST on Thursday.
The D-backs have six players eligible for arbitration: Zac Gallen, Kevin Ginkel, Joe Mantiply, Paul Sewald, Ryan Thompson and Christian Walker.
Salary-arbitration hearings are scheduled between Jan. 29 and Feb. 16. A panel of arbitrators would hear each side’s case and select one of the two side’s salary figures for 2024 if an agreement is not reached beforehand.
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MLB has unveiled a new video format called Ballpark Zen that provides an extended peaceful ambiance background stream for fans to meditate, relax or work alongside. Six ballparks were featured in the launch. The video also includes chapters, so you can easily choose the ballpark, time of day or weather. Click here to watch the first installment.
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MLB Network kicked off its annual “Top 10 Players Right Now” series with starting pitchers Tuesday night and followed up with catchers Wednesday.
Not surprisingly, Gallen ranked among the top pitchers in the game, finishing third behind Gerrit Cole and Corbin Burnes. Gallen did not make MLB Network’s list last year.
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As for the catchers, Gabriel Moreno checked in at No. 10. The catchers in front of him were Adley Rutschman, Will Smith, Sean Murphy, J.T. Realmuto, William Contreras, Willson Contreras, Alejandro Kirk, Yainer Diaz and Cal Raleigh.
Here is a story that will continually be updated as each position is ranked.
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