D-backs, fans enjoy second alumni game

PHOENIX -- After Arizona's current roster got a walk-off win vs. the Giants on Saturday, 36 players from the franchise's brief but relatively storied past reunited at Chase Field for the second annual D-backs alumni game.

Separated into two squads that included former players from the club's World Series championship team in 2001 and National League West championship teams in 1999, 2002 and 2007, the retired Major Leaguers took the field for a three-inning contest in front of a large portion of the 36,091 fans who attended the regular-season game beforehand.

"There were a ton of fans that stuck around to watch them," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "That's really neat. There was great support for them, as there should be. They had a good time; it was cool to see all those guys have fun."

Among the many D-backs greats who participated were Luis Gonzalez, Matt Williams, Mark Grace, Steve Finley and Brandon Webb. The White Team, with Gonzalez, Reggie Sanders and Shea Hillenbrand, defeated the Red Team, 3-0. Mike Morgan took the loss, allowing all three runs in the first inning.

"We like those guys around here. It's kind of neat that the organization has them come in every year now," Gibson said. "They gave their heart and soul here; a lot of guys were here even before the world championship, then you have that team that won it, they're all part of the history of the Diamondbacks. The will and determination they put in, we always welcome those guys in there."