Sedona Red and other travesties

It was recently announced that the Diamondbacks are planning a major change to their uniforms and colors. Purple apparently will be discontinued as a color of the team.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0901dbackscolors.html

I was livid.

Here's what I said on the official Diamondbacks message board:

"IMO it's all the big power grab by Kenny Boy KenCo.

"F Jerry Colangelo! This is my team now, b!!!!!"

I will also NEVER spend one red cent on "Sedona Red".

That's like the Yankees changing their uniform colors to Day-Glo reds and blues because NYC is the home of Broadway - or silver and black to match a subway train.

That's like the Dodgers changing the Dodger blue to UCLA powder blue because they are close to the ocean (actually that is the actual rationale behind the Padres' color change)

That's like the Cubs changing their blue to brick red and green because of the Wrigley ivy covered walls.

The Mets colors make sense. Dodger blue/white with Giants orange trim. The two NYC teams that the Mets now replaced (1962).

The Giants colors made even more sense when they moved to SF than they did in NYC. The Giants orange looks a lot like the orange of the Golden Gate bridge.

Next we'll hear this:

"The Diamondbacks have announced that the nickname of the team will be the Phoenix Firebirds, effective November 1."

Why don't we just call ourselves the Arizona Buttes? The Arizona CanyonClimbers? Since we're just B-slapping the history of this team up and down West Van Buren Street! Holy cowwwwww!!!!!..."


On Friday I sent a message to the FO just now using the "Contact Us" link on this very website:

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Hello:

As someone who was thrilled in the early 1990's when Jerry Colangelo (who at the time was one of the most highly regarded executives in all of American professional sports) spearheaded the effort to bring a much deserved Major League Baseball franchise to the state of Arizona, I am appalled, shocked and dismayed on hearing the recent rumors that the team is about to announce a major change to the team colors effective the end of this postseason, which may include the discontinuance of the Diamondbacks signature purple color.

I would hope that the Diamondback organization would take a second look as to how such a move could potentially create a substantial negative reaction among the fan base.

In my opinion, the purple color has become as synonymous with professional sports in the Phoenix market as yellow and black have been in Pittsburgh. The decision to choose purple as a signature color was only the most appropriate choice given the longtime rock-solid fan loyalty in this market to the Phoenix Suns of the NBA.

A color change, while it may be a signal that the new ownership would like to make a clean start after the arguably controversial departure of Mr. Colangelo from the Diamondback franchise, nonetheless would be, frankly, a huge slap in the face to those many loyal and dedicated fans that have followed this franchise for 10+ years. These are fans who gathered in the tens of thousands in Copper Square to celebrate a World Championship in 2001 - as well as fans who willingly endured a 100+ loss season.

I would ask that the management and ownership of the Arizona Diamondbacks respectfully give the strongest possible reconsideration to any plans to change the team colors. The purple and turquoise mean as much to D-Back fans as any player. Over the years, these colors have been cemented in the minds and hearts of we the fans as much as the likes of Randy Johnson, Luis Gonzalez and now, Eric Byrnes. We will most certainly continue to support the players as they retool and recharge for a fresh run at a National League championship in 2007, but without the purple, something will just not seem right with the world.

Thanks very much for listening.

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