PHOENIX -- Torey Lovullo did not know what to expect last year, when the D-backs' newly hired manager attended the team's annual Most Valuable Partner Awards event, hosted by team president and CEO Derrick Hall.
"It was my first one, and I was like, 'Whoa,'" Lovullo said. "Derrick does such a great job with it, and what's great is that it gives us a chance to mingle with the partners and help them to really feel like they're part of our team, which they are. I don't know of another organization that does it like this."
Hall opened the show, which was called "Not Quite Late Night with Derrick Hall" with a monologue that had the corporate partners and season ticket holders in attendance at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino literally laughing out loud Thursday night.
"Derrick is really good at it," D-backs shortstop Chris Owings said. "He is so creative and comes up with some great stuff every year that I've been here."

Owings was joined by teammates Daniel Descalso, Patrick Corbin, Jimmie Sherfy and Braden Shipley as well as former D-backs players Randy Johnson, Luis Gonzalez and Willie Bloomquist.
The players took part in on-stage contests with some of the partners and also participated in the handing out of the awards.
There was also a video of Hall dressed as both TV play-by-play man Steve Berthiaume and analyst Bob Brenly imitating the way the pair would have called this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"They're always a lot of fun," Corbin said. "It's a good time, and it's a good way to say thank you to the people who support the organization."
And while the event is lighthearted, its purpose of thanking the team's most important corporate partners -- 12 that have been with the team since the inaugural season in 1998 -- is serious.
"The event continues to be a success because of the excitement and participation of our corporate partners, players, coaches and talented employees," Hall said. "It's truly one-of-a-kind in the industry and has become a calendar placeholder each and every year."

Here is a complete list of the night's winners:
Multi-Cultural Award: Jack Daniels
Luis Gonzalez Community Champion: Safelite
Brand Integration Award: Cox Communications
D-backs Ambassador Award: FOX Sports Arizona
Marketing Activation Award: Papa Johns
Fans Choice: Taco Bell
Rookie of the Year: State Forty Eight
Lifetime Achievement: MillerCoors
MVP Silver Slugger: Sanderson Ford
MVP Gold Glove: Gila River Hotels and Casinos