Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo wants ‘to be wanted’ with future up in air after playoff miss

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo revealed uncertainty about his future with the team after Arizona narrowly missed the playoffs once more on the final day of the regular season. Lovullo expressed his desire to win a world championship with the organization but emphasized his need to feel wanted. He stated, "I want to win a world championship with this organization, but I want to be wanted," after the Diamondbacks officially missed the postseason for the eighth time in nine years.

Lovullo, the winningest manager in Diamondbacks history, has led the team to five winning records in the past nine years since their NL pennant and 2023 World Series appearance. However, they have failed to secure a postseason berth this stretch. The latest narrow playoff miss was particularly agonizing, as the Diamondbacks needed to win the final two games against the playoff-bound San Diego Padres, along with the Phillies losing to the Tampa Bay Rays, to claim the final wild-card berth.

Unfortunately, the Phillies emerged victorious, clinching the final wild-card spot moments before Arizona's loss.

Despite his emotional state after the heartbreaking loss, Lovullo expressed his love for Arizona and its fans, emphasizing that he would love to return next season. He affirmed, "Of course I do. Arizona is my home. I love Arizona, and the people and the fans are spectacular. The group that I work for is amazing. I love being around them every single day, and I don’t want that to change."