The Arizona Diamondbacks are just a few days away from (potentially) clinching the NL West division pennant. It's by far the most surprising result in baseball this season but if you think manager Kirk Gibson is planning a huge bash to celebrate the feat, think again.
↵We ask Gibson before Monday's game against the Pirates if he's made any plans for what the celebration might (we stressed might) look like should (we stressed that too) win the division. Not surprisingly, we didn't get much of an answer.
↵Gibby is not the type to get ahead of himself and risk losing focus on an unfinished task.
↵"We haven't discussed that, no."
↵But then he did allow a bit of hint about what we might see on clinch day.
↵"I'm sure it will be fairly brief, we have other task right in front of us. But obviously, we all look forward to having the opportunity to experience that. We know it's not going to come easy. We've known that for the whole season."
↵And then, as if even a couple of quick phrases talking about something that's not happened yet might jinx it, he quickly went back to the day's work.
↵"Just trying to stay focused on tonight's (Monday's) game. Pirates swept us the last time we faced them. They've got a ton of new faces. (Pirates' manager) Clint Hurdle's got a ton of options. They're very dangerous so we just need to stay focused on that."
↵So there you have it, a "fairly brief" celebration should the D-backs be fortunate enough to close out the division. #NoJinx