Emotions Run Deep for Torey Lovullo in World Series Loss Aftermath
A glassy-eyed Torey Lovullo climbed the podium in the interview room, then looked up towards the back of the room, and was not able to maintain his composure. His team had just lost the World Series, going down 5-0 in Game 5 to the Texas Rangers. Standing in the back of the room were his wife, daughter, and two sons. Seeing his family there for him at his most painful moment was more than he could bare. He broke down, and cried as he moved off the stage to embrace his wife. His children came over to join the family hug in a bittersweet moment.
The manager of the Diamondbacks had nothing to be ashamed of. Year after year, month after month, game after game, he has put it all on the line. Known throughout the league as one of the finest men in the game, he has mixed compassion, dedication, and the ever present teaching mindset to guide his players in the best way he knew how. It hasn't always been pretty. In fact in 2021 it was downright ugly as his teams seemed to find way to lose games that nobody could imagine on their way to a 52-110 record.
Just two years later, his team of young players and veterans meshed into a connected unit that recovered from a mid-summer slump to not only make the playoffs, but make it all the way to the World Series. No team that had lost that many games had ever had such a quick turnaround. It didn't happen by accident. Lovullo repeatedly spoke throughout the year about lessons he had learned and changes he was making to improve as a manager and a leader of men.
In the aftermath of his crushing defeat he continued to bare his soul. "The reason why it hurts so bad is because we care so much. We care about this baseball community. We care about the fans of Arizona that bleed Sedona red with us, that have backed us. Those are the things that go through my mind and all the players. This is painful. This is just plain painful. And I can't quite move past that right now. But I will."
He recovered quickly however, displaying his ability to lighten any moment with humor. Asked how long it would be before he started looking towards next year.
"Man, that's a good question", he said. "I want to run away and hide for a few days. I want to go camping and just sit in the tent and suck my thumb (laughter) and eat ice cream. Is that the weirdest answer you guys have ever had? And just let it run its course the way it's supposed to."
Lovullo often speaks about embracing the emotions that come at you life. Don't run from them. Feel them. "Hurt when I'm supposed to hurt. Cry when I'm supposed to cry. Feel good when I'm supposed to feel good. But when I wake up on that one morning, whenever it is, it could be a week from now, 10 days from now, it's going to be a little while. I know that."
Lovullo went on through the press conference to answer questions about the game and his team. Zac Gallen pitched six no-hit innings tonight before finally giving up three hits and run in the seventh. It was a tremendous performance from a pitcher that threw almost 240 innings this year.
"It was everything that he could possibly give us and then some. I was Zac watching the way everybody else was....He answered the bell. He came out fighting, and he was slugging it out. when I walked in this ballpark today, I knew that Zac was going to be our starting pitcher, and I felt really good about it. I know what's inside of him. I know where his heart is. And he didn't let us down."
Ever the teacher, Lovullo spoke about the learnings for some of the young players that were in the dugout but didn't get to play much, like Jordan Lawlar, or injured players such as Jake McCarthy that couldn't get on the field.
"There were people that were sitting in the dugout that didn't play that saw a different level, different brand of baseball, some injured players, some younger players. And I'm just reminded of where we're trying to get to every single day. It's what motivates me when I get up. Like, where does this journey take this organization, take me every single day."
The future is bright in Arizona. With a young roster, a team that learned what it takes to get through the 162 game grind and then fight their way through the postseason, there should be more to come. Lovullo asked the question:
"And where does it end? I want it to end at the very tip top of that mountain, and we got really close. I think we tasted it. I know this team will be hungry, and I know it's going to take a little time for us to absorb, but I think you're going to see a very passionate, hungry baseball team walk into Salt River Field next year and be ready to go."
Spring Training will be here before you know it, roughly 104 days, give or take. But Lovullo should take a well earned rest, and recharge with his family. Nobody has earned it more than he has.
