Giants set to honor 2002 NL Championship team

SAN FRANCISCO -- As the Giants are in the midst of playing pennant-caliber baseball, having pitched four consecutive shutout this week, the team will host the winners of the franchise's 20th National League championship in a reunion this weekend.

The Giants will honor the 2002 NL championship team in a special pregame ceremony before Sunday's game against the Reds to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the World Series run. More than 30 players and managers from the team are expected to attend.

"It's important to remember our history as an organization and honor the 2002 National-League-Champion San Francisco Giants for the incredible season they gave to the city of San Francisco," Giants president and chief executive officer Larry Baer said in an e-mail.

The 2002 Giants finished the regular season with a 95-66 record -- earning themselves a postseason berth with a Wild Card win. After series wins against the Atlanta Braves (NL Division Series) and the St. Louis Cardinals (NL Championship Series), the Giants lost to the Anaheim Angels in a seven-game World Series.

Barry Bonds, Benito Santiago, Reggie Sanders, Jason Christiansen and Rich Aurilia are among the 23 players expected to attend Sunday's pregame ceremony. Having the Reds in town also allows Dusty Baker and Juan Lopez to be present for and participate in the festivities. Baker managed the 2002 squad and Lopez served as the bullpen coach, the same positions the two now hold with the Reds. Both left the Giants after the 2002 season to join the Chicago Cubs.

Assistant hitting coach Joe Lefebvre, pitching coach Dave Righetti, bench coach Ron Wotus and athletic trainer Dave Groeschner are still with the Giants and are expected to participate in the ceremonies.