Corbin Carroll Races into the History Books
Corbin Carroll darted through the chaotic visitors clubhouse in Citizens Bank Park seemingly the only one not yet drenched in champagne and beer. Trying to avoid getting doused just prior to his turn on the podium in the interview room, his teammates were able to do something that few have been able to do all year. Catch him running. His teammates were celebrating punching their ticket to the World Series after a 4-2 victory over the Phillies in Game 7.
A few moments later he walked into the room sopping wet from head to toe and asked if that were his shoes making a squishing noise as he ascended the podium to address the media in the room. "Yeah. I'm kind of cold right now. I stayed dry for a little longer than most, but they got me eventually."
Carroll had a quiet series for the first six games, but last night had three singles, a sacrifice fly, drove in two, scored two and stole two bases. Perhaps fittingly, it was he who recorded the final out on a deep fly ball into the right field corner off the bat of Jake Cave. With Kyle Schwarber on deck there could be no doubt about getting the out. Schwarber had tormented D-backs pitching all series, going 8-for-22, .364 with five homers and two doubles. All Carroll could think about was "Better squeeze it. You know, just they fought us hard all series, and so to be able to finally put it away and run towards that dog pile, man, just hell of a feeling."
With the out, the Diamondbacks had just completed an improbable comeback. The Phillies dominated the first two games, going up 5-0 early in Game 1 before holding on to win 5-3. Then they cruised to 10-0 victory in Game 2. A lot of emphasis was put on the rabid Philly fanbase, who were given plenty of reason to be loud and proud. Prior to and during those first couple of games it seemed like every other question from the local and national media to the players and manager was about the home field advantage. After those first two games almost everyone wrote off the D-backs chances to come back in the series.
But come back they did, scoring a dramatic 2-1, ninth inning walk-off victory in game three and a come from behind 6-5 win in Game 4. The Phillies dominated 6-1 in game five however and nobody thought they could win two games in Philadelphia. Well except for their manager, all their players and the coaching staff. Prior to Game 6 Torey Lovullo said "we didn't come across country to get our (butts) kicked".
The D-backs won in convincing 5-1 fashion in Game 6, completely taking the Philadelphia crowd out of the game. Try as they might, they were unable to rattle the Diamondbacks players, even when at their loudest and crudest. By the time Game 7 rolled around, it was all old hat and the questions about the crowd had subsided. There were several attempts to goad the D-backs players into statements or comments that would provide bulletin board material, but for the most part they never took the bait. Last night, Carroll took it a step forward and praised the Phillies fans. Asked if being more familiar with the environment was a factor in how he and his teammates handled the last two games, he pushed aside those assumptions.
Those weren't really conversations that we had. I don't think anyone spoke up saying, hey, this is hostile and terrible. Most of the conversations were, like, hey, this is really cool. They're into it the whole game.
So it was more of just a coolness that we got to play in an atmosphere like this. Just the people here care about baseball. I got heckled probably five times going down the street today. I walked a block. (Much laughter) So just it's cool.
It's been a storybook run for the Diamondbacks so far and a storybook season for Carroll individually. The presumptive National League Rookie of the Year was selected as a starter and got to play in the All Star game in his hometown of Seattle. Carroll and his teammates will now move on to Arlington Texas and face the Texas Rangers for games one and two of the World Series in Globe Life Field.
There are only eight players in history to achieve all three of those milestones in the same season. One of them is teammate Evan Longoria, who did it in 2008 for the Tampa Bay Rays. The others are Cody Bellinger (2017 Dodgers), Neftali Feliz (2010 Rangers), Dontrelle Willis (2003 Marlins), Fernando Valenzuela (1981 Dodgers), Fred Lynn (1975 Red Sox), Tom Tresh (1962 Yankees), and Don Newcombe (1949 Dodgers). It's almost a forgone conclusion Carroll will be the 9th. The only question seems to be whether or not he will be the unanimous choice.
Despite the whirlwind of his season and constant media attention he never seems to be overwhelmed by any moment. His outward demeanor on and off the field exude a calm steadiness that belie his youth at just 23 years old. Still, he's not above taking it all in and reflecting on how far he's come in such a short time at such a young age.
Yeah, it is cool reflecting back on that. I had a photo on my phone two years ago that popped up on my phone yesterday, and it was me on my couch in Seattle watching the 2021 NLCS. It's a picture of the screen saying that, and then my dog.
So I shared that with some of the guys before the game today. How cool is this that I was sitting on the couch probably still rehabbing at that point, and now I get to play in the games. Just very fortunate.
The story of the 2023 season is not over yet. The battle cry from teammate Alek Thomas has been "We're not done yet". The story of Carroll's major league career is just starting. Signed to an eight-year contract before the season started he'll be a Diamondback for years to come. He's already become a leader in the clubhouse and on the field. D-backs fans and the organization are lucky to have him. Just don't expect him to change from the humble, respectful human being that he is at his core. He was raised right, and taken it all in. And think about this: He's just going to get better.
