He Wanted to Be Wanted. Arizona Gives Torey Lovullo Two More Years

On the last day of the regular season, Torey Lovullo said he wanted to win a title in Arizona, "but I want to be wanted." Four days later he got his answer. The Diamondbacks announced Thursday that they're bringing him back on a two-year contract.

It wasn't a given. Lovullo, 61, was finishing his deal, and Arizona had just missed the playoffs for a third straight year. Earlier in September he'd even said he thought the team needed to make the postseason for him and his staff to return.

Close, again

The Diamondbacks went 86-76, the best record of any team that didn't make it. They were knocked out on the final day for the second time in three seasons, this time when the Phillies beat the Rays 7-4 on Sunday.

Team president Derrick Hall recently said Lovullo probably did the best managing of his career this year, through serious injuries and distractions that included another strange absence by star Ketel Marte in August.

Ten years in

Lovullo is 750-768 over a full decade, the winningest manager in franchise history, and his high point was the surprise run to the 2023 World Series. Only Tampa Bay's Kevin Cash and the Dodgers' Dave Roberts have been in their jobs longer.

"Arizona is my home," he said after the season ended. "I love being around them every single day, and I don't want that to change."

His tenure has always been tied to general manager Mike Hazen, who hired him four weeks after taking over. The two of them now get at least two more years to finally get past a crowded NL West.