Executives address team before first full-squad workout

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Before the D-backs took the field for Wednesday's first full-squad workout, they heard from a variety of team executives as well as ownership during a morning meeting.

Managing general partner Ken Kendrick, team president/CEO Derrick Hall and general manager Kevin Towers addressed the team as did representatives from a variety of departments including media relations.

"When you see people walking around you should know who they are and what they do," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said in explaining why a variety of people speak to the team each year. "We take pride in having a connected organization and we're all teammates. It's not just the guys in the clubhouse, it's everybody within the organization and I think it's important to affirm that. And it's entertaining, it's powerful and it puts us in a strong, powerful position."

Kendrick said he told the team that they didn't need anyone in the room to be the smartest guy in the room, they needed all the guys to be smart.

"We needed to understand what being smart in baseball is all about and how you get to be a smart baseball player," Kendrick said he told them. "In my mind it's very much about listening and learning from your elders. We have, fortunately, an extraordinary group of coaches and a manager who have incredible accomplishments in the game so I encouraged these guys to pay close attention. This is the time of the year that I think they have an opportunity to learn and become better and hopefully become better baseball players."

Hall, as is his custom, talked to the players about the pride the organization takes in being the most fan-friendly team in sports, but he also had a baseball message as well.

"I reminded them on the first day of workouts 30 teams are going to have the same feeling and message that they can win," Hall said. "But the reality is there are only a handful that truly do and I believe we're one of those teams. And really praising Ken and ownership to extend payroll to its largest level, which shows we do believe in this team."

Following the meeting, Gibson sent out his first-ever tweet.

"Unreal...so pumped!" it read.