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If there’s justice in Major League Baseball, the Diamondbacks are about to set a new standard in the Valley.
They could become the only major professional franchise in Arizona to deliver a championship and a Most Valuable Player.
That became evident after Paul Goldschmidt’s epic performance Thursday in Wrigley Field. He bashed three home runs. Each came after a rain delay. One left the park, one almost hit the scoreboard and the last was a game-winning blast that saved the team from an awful collapse.
It was more than just the biggest victory of the season. It was the kind of high-profile game that will create awareness around Goldschmidt’s candidacy, giving the quiet slugger his MVP moment.
Really, it’s about time. Goldschmidt has twice been runner-up for the prestigious award. He has no holes in his game. He’s currently ranked as the sixth most effective baserunner in the National League. He’s among the most underpaid, under-appreciated superstars on the planet.
Goldschmidt doesn’t help himself because he doesn’t care about publicity or self-promotion. None of his home runs on Thursday elicited much reaction at all. When asked to describe the thrill of his game-winning blast, Goldschmidt was typically unimpressed with himself.
He responded by saying (A) he just wanted to get on base for his teammate, J.D. Martinez; (B) he called his victim, Wade Davis, one of the best pitchers in baseball; and (C) that he was just thankful to get the barrel of the bat on the baseball.
That’s what makes him so awesome, even if it hurts his national profile. But the last thing the world needs is another shameless narcissist.
A more telling tribute came from the Cubs following the game, when the organization issued a telling Tweet:
“We promise not to pitch to Paul Goldschmidt tomorrow.”
Too late for that. But just in time for Goldschmidt’s candidacy and a sports market that could use another trophy.
Our four major franchises have combined to play 121 seasons. Only the Suns have produced a league MVP (Charles Barkley and Steve Nash, who won the award twice).
Goldschmidt should join that crew later this fall. And then we’ll see what Cardinals star David Johnson can do for an encore.
MORE D-BACKS: Diamondbacks open weekend series in San Francisco
MORE D-BACKS: Goldschmidt’s 3 HR day powers D-Backs to thrilling win over Cubs
BICKLEY: Godley a godsend for the Diamondbacks
Arizona Senator John McCain joins the Shot Clock to talk Arizona sports.
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Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt talks about his three-homer game on Thursday afternoon against the Cubs.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 10-8 win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field.
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Third baseman Jake Lamb talks about the Diamondbacks’ ability to bounce back from an ugly loss to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about Zack Godley’s strong six innings and Jake Lamb’s two run-scoring doubles in a win over the Cubs.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s defensive miscues and infielder Daniel Descalso’s relief appearance.
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Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin says he made too many mistakes against the Cubs on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and J.J. Hensley discuss the changes with the Diamondbacks.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 3-2 loss on Sunday and Chris Owings’ fractured finger.
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Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker talks about the mistakes he made in a 3-2 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.
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Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray talks about what he remembers from Friday night, when he was struck on the head by a line drive in the second inning.
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Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke talks about his performance in a 7-1 win over the Cardinals on Saturday night.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s all-around performance, including Zack Greinke’s seven strong innings, in a win over the Cardinals.
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Lovullo on Robbie Ray’s condition after getting hit in the head by a line drive.
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Diamondbacks infielder Daniel Descalso talks about the line drive that struck Robbie Ray, and how he was able to catch it after the ball ricocheted in the air.
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azcentral sports’ Sarah McLellan and Jay Dieffenbach discuss the Diamondbacks in our Shot Clock video.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses J.D. Martinez’s grand slam and Zack Godley’s seven shutout innings in a win over the Cardinals.
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Newly acquired Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez on his play in Wednesday’s win.
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The Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte talks about his inside-the-park home run in Wednesday’s win.
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Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s win against the Braves.
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Manager Torey Lovullo and right-hander Taijuan Walker react to the loss.
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Martinez: “It’s kind of hard not to [press],” he said. “You just kind of want to get here and show people what you want to do.”
Ricky Morin/azcsports
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Lovullo: “He was in command from start to finish.”
Ricky Morin/azcsports
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Greinke: “My command was as good as it’s been in awhile.”
Ricky Morin/azcsports
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Manager Torey Lovullo and left-hander Robbie Ray discuss the team’s 6-2 loss to Nationals on Sunday at Chase Field.
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Anthony Banda talks about his MLB debut in the Diamondbacks’ loss to the Nationals.
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Torey Lovullo on the Diamondbacks’ loss to Washington.
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Manager Torey Lovullo, second baseman Brandon Drury and center fielder A.J. Pollock react to the 6-5 win.
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Right fielder J.D. Martinez was introduced at Chase Field on Friday.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about a 12-2 win over the Reds on Thursday in which Patrick Corbin went 7 1/3 innings.
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Diamondbacks left-hander Patrick Corbin talks about pitching against the Reds on short notice on Thursday in Cincinnati.
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Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez talks about how his left hand feels after he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday night against the Reds.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 4-3 loss to the Reds on Wednesday night and the hit-by-pitch on new slugger J.D. Martinez.
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Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke says his location on Wednesday night wasn’t as good as it has been in previous starts.
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach talk about the Diamondbacks trade for J.D. Martinez and what it means.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s offensive breakout on Tuesday and about the potential impact of newly acquired slugger J.D. Martinez.
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azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Mark Faller discuss Robbie Ray pitching for Diamondbacks and Josh Jackson’s transition to the Suns.
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azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller weigh in on the Diamondbacks and ASU football in our Shot Clock video.
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about Zack Godley’s performance on Sunday in a 7-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
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McCain’s stadium advice, best AZ sports moment
Paul Goldschmidt after three-homer game vs. Cubs
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ wild win over Cubs
Jake Lamb on D-Backs’ bounce-back win over Cubs
Torey Lovullo on Godley’s performance, Lamb’s clutch hits
Torey Lovullo on miscues, Descalso’s pitching in 16-4 loss to Cubs
Patrick Corbin on rough outing vs. Cubs
Shot Clock: Who’s at shortstop for D-Backs?
Torey Lovullo on loss to Cardinals, injury to Owings
Taijuan Walker on his mistakes vs. Cardinals
Robbie Ray talks about the line drive that hit him
D-Backs’ Zack Greinke on outing vs. Cardinals
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ 7-1 win over Cardinals
D-Backs manager Tony Lovullo on Robbie Ray’s condition
Daniel Descalso on liner that hit Robbie Ray
Shot Clock: Focus key for J.D. Martinez
Torey Lovullo on Martinez’s grand slam, Godley’s outing
J.D. Martinez on strong performance in win
Ketel Marte on his inside-the-park home run
Lovullo talks about the D-Backs’ 10-3 win over Atlanta
Diamondbacks fall 8-3 to Braves
J.D. Martinez on playing in the NL, seeing new pitching
Lovullo raves about Greinke’s outing vs. Braves
Zack Greinke discusses outing vs. Braves
Torey Lovullo and Robbie Ray discuss Diamondbacks’ loss to Nationals
Anthony Banda talks about his MLB debut
Lovullo reacts to the D-Backs’ loss to the Nationals
Diamondbacks edge Nationals in walk-off win
Diamondbacks introduce J.D. Martinez at Chase Field
Torey Lovullo on Corbin’s outing, series victory vs. Reds
Patrick Corbin on his strong start vs. Reds
J.D. Martinez talks about getting hit by a pitch vs. Reds
Manager Torey Lovullo on loss to Reds, Martinez’s injury
Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Reds
Shot Clock: D-Backs seize moment with trade
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win over Reds, acquisition of J.D. Martinez
Shot Clock: Robbie Ray brings intensity to mound
Shot Clock: D-Backs fear Cubs; ASU’s hot seat
Torey Lovullo after D-Backs’ fifth straight loss
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