D-backs not enamored with Dodgers' pool party

Published Sep. 19, 2013 5:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks understood that the Dodgers had the talent and the resources to make a big splash in the NL West this season. But not like that.

The splash they made after clinching was met with disdain.

“I would expect them to act with a little more class than they did," D-backs infielder Willie Bloomquist told reporters after about half the Dodgers celebrated their division-winning 7-6 victory Thursday by jumping in the pool in right-center field at Chase Field.The D-backs took the same plunge in 2011 after winning the NL West, but that was different. It was their pool.

"I doubt the New York Yankees would do something like that. They clinched the division this year, so if that’s how they’re going to act and be classless, that’s their clubhouse,” Bloomquist told reporters.

The Dodgers did not think it was such a breach of etiquette.

"It was awesome," first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said. "If we had a pool at our place and they celebrated, I wouldn't have a problem with it."

Matt Kemp said it was refreshing.

"The water was warm," he said.

D-backs right-hander Brandon McCarthy did not take offense.

The Diamondbacks had asked the Dodgers to please refrain from celebrating on the field, a request that in hindsight may have backfired.

The D-backs led the NL West for 77 days, but they realized the challenge the Dodgers provided even when Los Angeles was 9 1/2 games back of Arizona's NL West lead in mid-June.

"I'm surprised, because I thought we'd be where they are," Blooomquist said earlier in the week.
"But the realist in me said if that team got healthy and did what their track record had shown they were capable of doing. ... They have some players over there, and it was going to be tough for anybody to keep up with the talent they have. If they ever got to the point where they were playing how they were capable of playing, it was going to be tough to keep up with them.

"And they did."

The Dodgers have led the division every day since July 22.

"They had a great second half," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "Where they come from was impressive. I like to think we made them better during the process."

Follow Jack Magruder on Twitter