Feature: Desert Pepper

Everyone needs a National League fallback team. (It's the must-have accessory for fall fashion.) For this Tigers fan, it's the Arizona Diamondbacks, an allegiance formed in 1998 as a result of having tons of family in Phoenix, and to be different.

Desert Pepper -- a rare triple pun in the ol' Sussman book -- is a sporadic gander into the D'backs season, with the frequency being inversely proportional to that of the proliferation of Harwell's 1984. The NL West doesn't nearly get enough love in the grand scheme of things, and if their lineup ever gives people a reason, then so will we.

From time to time, I feel bad for ignoring the D'backs. They were, after all, a key part of my recuperation in 2001. See, back then, it was kind of hopeless to be a Tigers fan, so I adopted Arizona, since much of my family migrated to Phoenix. I contracted mono during my first semester, the fall of '01. It got so terrible, I had to leave college the night of Game 3 of the World Series. But Luis Gonzalez's walk-off hit in Game 7 propelled me to a clean bill of health ... three weeks later. Desert Pepper represents my undying gratitude.

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Matthew T. Sussman

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• Edwin Jackson: The Worst No-Hitter I've Seen

  With eight walks, one HBP, a wild pitch, two stolen bases, and one supporting run, it's a mystery he even won.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jun 25, 2010

• Can We Boycott The Diamondbacks Bullpen Instead?

  With boycotts and oaths of silence coming down on the team because of its owner's campaign contributions, it puts fans and writers in a tricky bind.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 29, 2010

• 13-Run Innings Are Always Fun

  It was not only a team record, but it tied the Houston Astros for their season total.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 11, 2010

• D'backs Begin Season Humping The Bell Curve

  It's the best average start an average team could ask for. (Now if only they could do something about the BATTING average.)

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 08, 2010

• Mark Reynolds Is Better At Missing The Baseball Than Anyone Else

  But hey, at least he's not grounding into double plays!

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Sep 07, 2009

• Diamondbacks' Quest For .500 Becomes Public Domain

  In an effort to reach 81 wins, the movement is picking up unattributed steam.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Aug 18, 2009

• Quest For .500

  The road to mediocrity is within sight. Man your dune buggies!

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Aug 07, 2009

• Bring On The Lowlights!

  It's time to look back at the first dismal half of the season, lest we be doomed to repeat it.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jul 16, 2009

• Three All-Stars? For This Team?

  Dan Haren and Justin Upton are going. Mark Reynolds might. The team's horrible. That doesn't make sense.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jul 07, 2009

• The Bullpen Could Be Worse

  The Washington Nationals relievers make everyone else look unhittable.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 26, 2009

• Manny's Suspension Opens Up The NL West

  Four very mediocre teams suddenly have a chance, but not much of one.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 07, 2009

• Webb-less D'Backs Have Fewer Hits Than Devo

  Despite all the bad hitting, the key to the season is still getting their pitcher back.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 05, 2009

• But It's A Dry .226 Batting Average

  An analysis of the Arizona Diamondbacks hitting: they aren't.

  Opinion by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 23, 2009

• Treating Brandon Webb's Injury With Cautious Optimism

  His DL trip is unexpected, and with the offense struggling, is it time to panic?

  Opinion by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 13, 2009

• D'Backs Open With 9-8 Win Behind Felipe Lopez Onslaught

  When the leadoff guy hits two home runs, you know it's a solid day.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 07, 2009

• Welcome Back, D'Backs Infield

  With Dunn, Eckstein and Hudson gone, the infield still looks very familiar and primed for breakout years.

  Opinion by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 02, 2009

• The D'Backs Outfield Of The Future ... TODAY!

  There are no standouts, except for Justin Upton in a year or two. But hey, no complaints.

  Opinion by Matthew T. Sussman — on Mar 25, 2009

• Death, Taxes, And D'backs Starting Pitching

  If Scherzer merely comes close to a Lincecum-type breakout season, this should be the best rotation in the NL.

  Opinion by Matthew T. Sussman — on Mar 11, 2009

• Will Randy Johnson Be The First Hall Of Fame D'Back?

  Now pitching for the Giants, he's going to face his potential HOF club in spring training Tuesday. EVERYBODY PANIC!

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Mar 02, 2009

• If Brandon Webb and Barry Zito Pitched In New York

  Think of the headlines. Or, better yet, the New York Post's back page.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 28, 2008