Diamondbacks Unveil Disturbing Racing Versions of Dubious Legends

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↵The phenomenon of racing mascots is hardly a new one in baseball: whether it’s the sausages in Milwaukee, the pierogis in Pittsburgh or the presidents in Washington, it’s a proven crowd pleaser. So no one can rightly blame the Diamondbacks, or really any team for that matter, for wanting to piggyback on the success that others have had with the concept.↵↵Just, you know, if you happen to be a club that’s less than 15 years old, maybe having the mascots represent supposed franchise legends might not be the best way of going about it. Granted, with even only one World Series title, Arizona can claim more success than some far more established teams. Still, trying to cobble together a collection of four players to represent everything Diamondbacks is a difficult task. Sure enough, the team ended up looking pretty silly with the final product.↵

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↵↵Woof. ↵

↵↵Yes, it hurts that the Diamondbacks came into being during the era of free agency, making it more difficult to have a career player to claim as their own, but you don’t have a single one among these guys. That said, Johnson and Gonzalez, while playing less than half their careers with the Diamondbacks, were integral in the team’s 2001 World Series title, so they get something of a pass. Williams and Grace, however, are particularly egregious, as those two moderate stars only came to Arizona to play out the last few years of their careers. Cubs fans would certainly have more of an attachment to Grace, as would Giants fans with Williams.↵

↵↵With lean times back in Arizona, Grace and Williams may have to serve as stopgaps for some time until the Diamondbacks can produce a franchise player or two to supplant them. So, Diamondbacks fans, let’s hope for the best out of Mark Reynolds, Chris Young and Justin Upton. ↵

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