D'Backs hit Lancaster

Arizona GM Garagiola drops in for visit with fans at The Hangar

By ED HARBOUR
Valley Press Staff Writer

On Monday morning, Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. and farm director Tommy Jones met the Lancaster fans for the first of many promised visits.

The pair addressed the concerns and the questions of those in attendance and also presented the crowd with a look of things to come.

Jones focused mainly on the level of talent Arizona has brought to the Cal League in its five years in the league, one as a co-op. They have one league title and three playoff berths to their credit in the league.

This season, though, Arizona's affiliate in High Desert struggled with a 90-loss season, but Jones saw it as an anomaly in the system.

"We were decimated before the season and in spring training with injuries," Jones said. "It really taught our whole organization a lesson in. . . how to react to this.

"Our injuries affected us nowhere greater than in the High Desert clubhouse. We pushed a lot of young kids up there."

Arizona also had some talent run through Lancaster last season as part of the Lancaster Stealth in the California Fall League. Both pitcher Chris Cervantes and catcher Robbie Hammock played for the Stealth and Jones saw their time in Lancaster as crucial to their development.

"It really allowed both of them to excel this year," Jones said. "Because of that extra time on the field, Robbie and Chris both came out of the blocks strong this season.

"We're definitely going to push to see it come back for the 2001 season." Garagiola also discussed the possibility of an exhibition game between the JetHawks and its parent club at some juncture in the four-year deal between the clubs.

"That's something we are actively looking at," Garagiola said. "We have played a game every year against one of our minor league affiliates.

"Those games have been very well received."

Uploaded September 19, 2000