Game two of the Arizona Diamondbacks Tenth Anniversary Celebration came today against the Colorado Rockies. Today's game was nationally televised as the Fox baseball game of the week. This meant the game time was moved from 5:10 PM local time to 12:55 PM. With outside temperatures registering in the mid-80's with not a cloud in the sky that also meant that the game would be played with the roof open. There is nothing quite like a Saturday afternoon game to make you appreciate living in this great country. The smells of cut grass and roasting hot dogs while sitting in a wide open stadium remind us of why we love this game so much. It takes us back to a time of our youth when it was us playing between the foul lines imagining what it would be like to be a Major League Baseball player. Add to the fact that your team is playing their heated rivals after having beaten them four consecutive times to begin the season and it just doesn't get much better than this. But today wasn't just about an early April regular season game. This one had special meaning as it was a continuation of the celebration marking the first decade of Diamondbacks baseball.
Last night was special as they recognized the players that began this journey; the players from 1998. It was a great turn out and was interesting to see those players we cheered so loudly for on March 31, 1998. Six of the nine starters from that inaugural game were on hand to celebrate. Manager Buck Showalter was there and received a great ovation from the crowd. It was hard to picture him in a Diamondbacks jersey. For most of his tenure he wore a jacket over his uniform. Jay Bell as the first free agent signing also received a grand welcome from the crowd who still remembered him scoring the final run of the 2001 World Series to win it for the Diamondbacks. Outfielder Brent Brede who is now teaching high school history in Illinois was there much to the satisfaction of my daughter Ashley. Brede was her favorite player from 1998 before he left to play in Japan. Catchers Jorge Fabregas and Kelly Stinnett were flanked by pitchers Joel Adamson, Omar Daal, and Andy Benes. First baseman Travis Lee looked the same as always and many young ladies in the audience were still screaming their devotion to their former heart throb. The largest round of applause came for third baseman Matt Williams as he was announced. The fans still fondly remember "Sarge" and how he gave up an opportunity at a World Series championship in 1998 so that he could play for an expansion team and be close to his children. The ceremonial first pitch had Andy Benes take his place on the mound and Jorge Fabregas behind the plate just as it was 10 years ago. The only thing that would have been better would be if they could have had Mike Lansing attending to stand at the plate as he did for that first night. The game ended in near perfect manner with the Diamondbacks winning by a score of 8-2 nearly the same margin as a decade alone but this time with the good guys winning.
As we entered the ballpark today I wondered aloud what the Diamondbacks could possibly do to top what we saw last night. That question was short lived as the pre-game festivities began. Today was the unveiling of the Tenth Anniversary Team. The Arizona Diamondbacks had asked the fans to vote for the player at each position that they felt were the best the Diamondbacks had to offer during their first 10 years. I was curious who the fans had chosen for each position. I had of course voted and wondered if my choices matched those of other Diamondbacks fans. It was interesting to hear that over 15,000 fans had cast votes for the all-time team. The Diamondbacks had contacted each winning member and had either brought them to the stadium or recorded a message that was played on dbTV. Without further adieu I present the D-backs 10th Anniversary Team:
- Manager - Bob Brenly. Brenly led the Diamondbacks to their only world championship and is now a broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs. Bob appeared via dbTV and thanked the fans and congratulated the Diamondbacks on their continued success.
- Catcher - Damian Miller. Miller was a long time fixture behind the plate beginning when he was called up from Tucson in 1998. Damian too played for the 2001 World Series champion Diamondbacks. He was supposed to be at the stadium for the presentation but weather canceled his flight at the last moment and he was unable to attend.
- First Base - Mark Grace. Grace only placed a couple of years for the Diamondbacks but made an impact on the team and the fans with his character. Mark was another member of the 2001 World Series championship team and was there in person. He is currently the Diamondbacks television color analyst.
- Second Base - Craig Counsell. This came as a slight surprise to me as I had expected Orlando Hudson to win this. Counsell's unassuming attitude and popularity won out the voters. Craig recorded a message for dbTV as he is currently playing for the Milwaukee Brewers.
- Shortstop - Tony Womack. Tony came to the Diamondbacks on February 26, 1999 in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Womack is the all-time stolen base leader for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tony had a recorded message on dbTV thanking the team and the fans for this honor.
- Third Base - Matt Williams. Matt was an original Arizona Diamondbacks coming over in a trade from the Cleveland Indians on December 1, 1997 for infielder Travis Fryman and pitcher Tom Martin. Williams was the clubhouse leader for much of his time in Arizona. He retired in 2003 and is now a special assistant to the General Partner for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Outfield - Luis Gonzalez. Gonzo was the face of the franchise for several years playing from 1999-2006 for the Diamondbacks. He holds the record for the longest hitting streak and most doubles by a Diamondbacks player. Luis had a recorded message on dbTV as he is currently playing for the Florida Marlins.
- Outfield - Steve Finley. Finley signed a free agent contract with the Diamondbacks in December 1998 and was instrumental in their run to a world championship in 2001. Finley holds the distinction for being the first player to have played for every team in the National League Western Division. Finley was on hand for the award and threw out a first pitch before the game.
- Outfield - Eric Byrnes. Byrnes was the only position player from the current team to make the tenth anniversary team. He came to the Diamondbacks as a free agent before the 2006 season and has become the new fan favorite.
- Left-handed Starting Pitcher - Randy Johnson. This was the one lock in all the voting. I have no idea how anyone could have voted for someone besides Randy Johnson. During his tenure with the Diamondbacks he won 4 Cy Young awards and a World Series MVP. He is certain to be a first ballot hall of famer.
- Right-handed Starting Pitcher - Brandon Webb. Webb is the only other Cy Young award winner the Diamondbacks have ever had and so it was fitting for him to join Johnson as the best of the pitchers. Webb continues to dominate and is setting himself to be the staff ace for years to come.
- Closer - Jose Valverde. This was something of a shock to me as I had expected this to go to Matt Mantei. Valverde is the all-time save leader for the Diamondbacks so he is deserving. Jose provided a taped message on dbTV as he is currently pitching for the Houston Astros.
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