This baseball season has been one to bring a lot of changes to the Diamondbacks.

This was the last year for the purple, teal, black, and gold; next season will be “Sedona Red” and tan. Louis Gonzalez, the Goodwill ambassador for the team, and the last original member of the World Series team, is leaving, after a sound business decision to not pick up his option year. Sound business, but not sound from a fan’s standpoint – Gonzo has always been a steady and reliable player, and is a catalyst for the team in their relations with the communities of the Salt River Valley.

And Thom Brennaman, the voice of the Diamondbacks, is leaving – to join his father, Marty, in the broadcast booth for the Cincinnati Reds.

I grew up listening to the Reds on WLW 700, listening to Marty’s masterful play-by-play commentary, so when Thom was picked as the voice of the Arizona Diamondbacks, I was really looking forward to the radio broadcasts. I was not disappointed.

I’m going to miss these two players in the Diamondbacks organization, but I have confidence that with the extra budget room the pitching staff will be improved, to give Brandon Webb some much-needed help in the starting rotation. After all, he can’t do it all himself.

Now that the post-season is here, I can concentrate on the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Talledega is next, and promises to be the fastest traffic jam in the Chase. One thing is for sure when Talledega is the next race: the standings will change. Maybe we’ll see another charge like Dale Sr.’s, from 18th with three laps to go, to the winner’s circle. That race was fantastic, and I look forward to watching this weekend. Oh, and the Craftsman Trucks are going to be racing at ‘Dega for the first time ever this year. I sure hope I get all my chores done in time to plop down on the sofa…

God bless you all, and stay safe. Leave the racing to the professionals, or at least to the cars and motorcycles on the tracks this weekend.