So, as most of you know, I haven't had a favorite team. I've just called myself a fan of baseball, never rooting for any one team. I don't like it when fans let their fandom get in the way of objective analysis, and the like.
However, I've finally chosen a favorite team. Now, of course, I'm not going to let myself fall into the trap that a percentage of fans do, raising their players up on a pedestal and refusing to acknowledge rational and objective analysis if it doesn't agree with their fandom. But, there is a team that I am going to root for and I want to see win, and that is the Arizona Diamondbacks, for a number of reasons.
First, there's some history behind it. Let me explain a little of my "baseball" history. As a kid, I loved the Yankees, mostly because my friends all did and my dad did (although my dad is both a Yankee and a Mets fan). In the late '90s, I was happy, the Yankees were winning everything. Then, I ran into some kids on my Little League team that were the type of Yankee fans I've grown to dislike - the ones that refuse to ever acknowledge weaknesses, that think the Yankees are some kind of gift to the world, etc. This, pretty much subconsciously, brewed resent of the Yankees inside me. Then 2001 came, and I was in the 7th grade and one of those Yankee fans from my Little League team was in a bunch of my classes. We were pretty good friends, but we also disagreed on a lot of issues - mostly political, with him being very far-right, but we still talked and discussed many things, including baseball. By this time, I was sick of the Yankees winning, and I wanted to see a change - and I also wanted to spite the Yankee fans that had become so used to winning the World Series that they saw it as something that was almost a God-given right. So, I followed the 2001 World Series very closely, rooting for the Diamondbacks every inch of the way. Game 7, I remember it clearly. I was laying on the top bunk bed with the TV on, and Luis Gonzalez swung, blooping that pitch into center field, and I almost leaped through my ceiling jumping of my bed in happiness.After that, I sort of rooted for the Diamondbacks but didn't really routinely follow baseball until 2004 or so, when I decided that I didn't have a favorite team and would just follow baseball.
Not only is their somewhat of a history behind my liking the Diamondbacks, but I'm choosing them as my favorite team for some other reasons.
First, their front office. I think that their front office, starting with GM Josh Byrnes, is ran phenomenally. They don't ignore statistical analysis, and they also have a very good scouting department, and the success comes with combining stats and scouting is starting to show in the majors with all the young talent flowing in.
Secondly, their manager. I think Bob Melvin is one of the better managers in the league, and I particularly like the way he managed the bullpen last season, giving the high-leverage innings to his good relievers, and letting his bad relievers do all the mop-up work.
Thirdly, their players. Justin Upton is my favorite up-and-coming player, and Brandon Webb is my favorite pitcher. I like the overall combination of players on the team. I'd really like to see these guys continue winning and establish a sort-of dynasty.
So, there it is, the Diamondbacks are HoustonGM's favorite team.![]()




After that, I sort of rooted for the Diamondbacks but didn't really routinely follow baseball until 2004 or so, when I decided that I didn't have a favorite team and would just follow baseball.
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....there is a flaw....or two.....but c'mon they are the YANKEES! The greatest team ever! 

