Players, managers and executives receive their fair share of recognition each season. But what about the fans?
The most important part of the game -- you -- should be cheered, too. That is why Major League Baseball has stepped up to the plate to honor the inaugural MLB Fans of the Year presented by Esurance.
Nominees from all 30 Major League clubs will be featured on MLB.com/awards through Monday at 11 a.m. MST -- with winners to be unveiled an hour later at noon.
Vote NOW for the MLB D-backs Fan of the Year presented by Esurance
Winners whose clubs reach the League Championship Series or Fall Classic will receive tickets to root for the home team on a late October night. As for the top fans whose teams fall short of the sport's semifinals? Have no fear, as there's always next year (and free tickets to an April 2017 game of their choice).
Major League Baseball and the 30 clubs worked tirelessly to identify the sport's top supporters. But after great debate, the following D-backs fans were chosen among a long list of deserving candidates:
Jeremy Beeson: Beeson melds his fandom and baking skills to create incredibly detailed D-backs-centric desserts that often take days to complete.
Frank Gennario: Gennario may be one of the D-backs' longest-tenured fans, as he has held season tickets since Day 1 and missed only one game since.
Julius Ingram: A Marine Corps veteran, Ingram actively reps the D-backs on social media and often makes his booming voice heard at games.
Lucinda McBride: Known among D-backs fans as "the flag lady," McBride shows her team spirit by waving handmade flags in the upper deck at every game.
The MLB Fans of the Year presented by Esurance program represents the "first inning" of the Esurance MLB Awards, which honor greatness in Major League Baseball and serve as the grand finale of the game's awards season. Esurance MLB Awards voting will run from 4 p.m. ET on Sept. 19 to 2 p.m. ET on Nov. 11 and include nominees in 19 categories -- from Best Major Leaguer to Best Social Media Post to Best MLB Interview.
Media, front-office personnel, retired MLB players, the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and fans will determine the most #AwardWorthy players and moments from 2016. The MLB Awards winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 18, live on MLB.com and MLB Network.