The first impression manager Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks receives is the one which will project through the up-coming season.
When closer Fernando Rodney walked into the Diamondbacks’ clubhouse and greeted Lovullo on Thursday, his showed his sense of humor and radiant smile. More compelling, Lovullo said Thursday, was Rodney’s desire to get the baseball in the ninth inning. At 40 years old and a veteran of 14 major league seasons, Rodney enters into a situation where the expectations are not great. In that regard, Lovullo will certainly grant his wish.
Coming off a season where the Diamondbacks were seven losses short of 100 defeats, Rodney’s experience is wanted.