Navy SEALs Give Diamondbacks Manager A Unique Gift

Posted April 12th, 2012 by USNavySeals

Kirk Gibson, manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, was given a unique and interesting present by the U.S. Navy SEALs, more than a year after a team of SEALs paid the Diamondbacks a clubhouse visit.

The gift – a nameplate – is currently sitting on Gibson’s desk in the San Diego Clubhouse. The nameplate has the Diamondbacks logo, and the words “Deal With It” printed on the raised brass plate. The plate was slotted into grooves cut into two 50-caliber bullets.

The plaque was given by one of the members of the Navy SEAL team who spoke to the Diamondbacks last year, and returned Tuesday to pay a visit.

“Deal With It,” or DWI, is a motto adopted by the Diamondbacks following the SEAL visit, and it is displayed on whiteboards and message boards several times throughout the year.

The plate bearing the motto and given to Gibson was crafted by the Navy SEALs using C2 explosive. They placed explosive over the entire piece of brass, before cutting out the logo and the motto. The explosive flattened parts of the brass that were not exposed after detonation.

“You think of the situations (the SEALs) go in, some of the things you’ve read about. They have a decent idea of what is going on, but they never really know what they are up against. (Bleep) happens. And there are bullets flying everywhere, people sneaking around. Their job is to accomplish their mission and all live,” Gibson shared. “It helps us keep things in perspective. We appreciate what they do, number one.”

Gibson did not reveal the name of the SEAL who gave him the gift, although he did say that he had just returned from abroad.

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