Bickley: Jeff Mathis the surprising X-factor for Arizona Diamondbacks' 2018 season

Jeff Mathis sits at his locker. A white tube sock covers his right hand. He is rubbing oil into every nook and calloused corner of his catcher’s mitt. His brow is furrowed and his commitment seems absurd, like a car collector waxing his Lamborghini.

“It’s like putting lotion on your body,” he said. “You have to take care of your skin.”

Opening Day is here. The Diamondbacks are walking onto center stage. Our baseball team will try to prove that sustainability is actually achievable in Arizona, where playoff teams don’t have to be one-hit wonders. Where faith can be rewarded and not mocked.

The 2018 Diamondbacks have a great opportunity. They can change the narrative of professional baseball in…