The Diamondbacks’ thrilling, improbable postseason run ended Wednesday night with a 5–0 loss to the Rangers in Game 5 of the World Series.
Arizona got strong starting pitching throughout the series, but ultimately couldn’t match Texas’s timely hitting despite manager Torey Lovullo’s best attempts to find a solution.
The effort was emotionally draining for Lovullo, which he expressed in a weirdly candid fashion to reporters after the Game 5 loss. Reporters may never get a response like this from a manager during the World Series ever again.
“I want to run away and hide for a few days,” Lovullo said. “I want to go camping and just sit in the tent and suck my thumb and eat ice cream. Is that the weirdest answer you guys have ever had?”
Torey Lovullo, after losing the WS: "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 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."
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 2, 2023
POSTGAME with Torey Lovullo.
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) November 2, 2023
"I just want to run away and hide for few days. I want to go camping and just sit in the tent and suck my thumb.. and eat ice cream... I want to hurt because I want to remember what this feels like because I never want to feel this again." pic.twitter.com/ISbg8xOMB2
How many other managers would have a response like that? Lovullo has been frequently entertaining throughout the postseason, clearly relishing his team’s success and the attention it received.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
No one will likely be able to verify how Lovullo copes with the World Series loss if he follows through on his stated intention to go far off the grid. Fans will have to settle for imagining the manager reverting to infant tendencies and consoling himself with sugary treats while isolating himself from the grind of a long season.
Otherwise, many can surely relate to shutting down after devoting everything to an effort to succeed. As funny as Lovullo’s remarks were, they also described a healthy approach to rebounding from disappointment.
I would play for him any day of the week.
— Steven Rhodes (@srhodes9540) November 2, 2023
He's the the guy I want to battle for. Go get'em' next season.
I respect that answer
— Ghost 🐊 (@RushBaby1980) November 2, 2023
OMG..are the reporters crying too?
— PhillyGuyInVa (@PhillyGuyInVa) November 2, 2023
Torey is awesome. Wish he managed a little more by his gut and a little less by the script but he’s such a likable, personable skipper and a perfect fit for a young team.
— Cinematic Underdogs (@CinematicUnder) November 2, 2023
Baseball has often enjoyed colorful personalities from managers throughout its history. Think back to Tommy Lasorda, Billy Martin, Whitey Herzog, and Jim Leyland. Unfortunately, the emphasis on data and analytics has drained that from the sport in recent years. Lovullo might be bringing that back.
