The Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend, after a 7-0 performance the way of the Brewers, I had the privilege of stumbling upon tickets for the Saturday game. This game was special, as it was the first giveaway of the year: Bobblehead day.
Fans of all ages lined up early to get their hands on these giveaways. As a result, the game had a decent crowd for a game so early on in the year. The lower bowl was crowded, with a good chunk of the second and third deck filled behind home plate as well.
But this isn’t a surprise. With the departure of the Coyotes last year and the Suns stuck in basketball purgatory since their finals run, the Diamondbacks are Phoenix’s last hope for a viable sports experience outside of football season.
The Diamondbacks are looking to make a deep push this season after losing out on the playoffs on the last day in the fall. Part of this was signing former Brewer and Oriole Corbin Burnes to the franchise’s biggest contract in history. His six-year, $210 million contract pays out $30 million this season for the 30 year-old.
Burns struggled to stay consistent during Saturday’s game, but with similar struggles from the Brewers offense he escaped six innings with only three runs allowed. This puts his ERA at 5.28 for the season.
The Brewers would get one more in the ninth before the chaos ensued. Pitchers Joel Payamps and Trevor Megill orchestrated a complete collapse for what had been a fantastic pitching game for Milwaukee thus far. Payamps walked one and gave up an Alek Thomas triple to put Arizona on the board.
Megill stepped in following, having not given up an earned run the whole season and having struck out two in his sole inning the night before. Tonight was different. Megill walked two and gave up three hits as the Diamondbacks completed the 5-4 comeback in the bottom of the night.
The remaining crowd was electric. Those that elected to stay through the ninth experienced a once in a lifetime comeback from the home team. This was a night that the city deserved. Phoenix has had a difficult time throughout the sports world, the Cardinals stuck in mediocrity for the past fifteen years and the Coyotes leaving for Utah, there hasn’t been a whole lot to be happy about.
The Diamondbacks are changing the script. They have prioritized the fan experience and given the city a team to cheer for. The 2023 run to the World Series showed the city they meant business, and their following player acquisitions show they want to keep it that way.
On top of that, the experience at the stadium is pleasant. Baseball games can feel drawn out, but with the entertainment between innings and value menu items there is a lot to look forward to. The $3 hot dog and popcorn were definitely a pleasant surprise for someone expecting to spend a paycheck on a quick snack.
The biggest drawback for many fans are the prices. While it was a Saturday night and a giveaway, the cheapest price was $47. Considering there was plenty of room in the upper deck, that price point is a little absurd.
Even with the capacity in the stadium, weekend games should be thriving across all three decks.
This is the only drawback to what is otherwise a sporting experience I hadn’t had in a while. A good atmosphere, exciting team and quality entertainment allows for a trifecta of perfection for any casual fan.
