10th Anniversary D-backs team

As part of the Diamondback's 10 year anniversary celebration, dbacks.com is having a vote for the best Arizona Diamondbacks players over the last 10 years. While a few were automatic...others were a bit tough.

Here's how I picked 'em:

Catcher - Damian Miller
First - Mark Grace
Second - Orlando Hudson
Short -Tony Womack
Third - Craig Counsell
Outfield - Luis Gonzalez, Steve Finley, Eric Byrnes
LHP - Randy Johnson
RHP - Brandon Webb
RP - Jose Valverde
Manager - Bob Melvin

Behind the plate, Damian Miller has meant the most to the organization because of his outstanding defense and above average hitting during the early years. He was also able to catch Johnson and Schilling so well during those playoff runs and World Series. Honorable mention: Would really like to pick Jorge Fabregas...but better go with Chris Snyder.

First base has to be Mark Grace. While none of these guys has played more than a few seasons with the D-backs...Grace was a clutch hitter and played masterful defense during his 3 years. Honorable mention: Erubiel Durazo

Second base was difficult. I wanted to give it to Jay Bell for all of the solid years he was there...but couldn't pull the trigger. O-dog is just an all-around better player. Give Jay the honorable mention here.

Shortstop was fairly easy picking Womack. He was an instrumental catalyst for the club from '99 to '03. Honorable mention: hmm.. Andy Fox...no...Alex Cintron.....ugh...no honorable mention here....

At third the obvious choice would be Matt Williams. However, I felt compelled to include Craig Counsell on this team, and this was the position to do it. Sorry Matty...but to me Counsell was a much bigger contributor to the many years of success while he was here. I'll give Williams the honorable mention.

The outfield was straightforward as well. These 3 guys are big time MLB players..not just all-time D-backs players. Honorable mention: Danny Bautista and Devon White. It pained me not to see Brent Brede on the list...

LHP was obvious...give honorable mention to Brian Anderson. Wait...why wasn't Mike Myers on the list??

RHP wasn't easy. At first thought it was Schilling. But, then I realized that Webb probably is a better pitcher and still has many good years ahead of him. Honorable mention goes to Schilling here.

Relief pitcher was not obvious either. I mean, who can forget the gritty Gregg Olson or our favorite flamethrower Matt Mantei. Based on last year's performance alone, must go with Valverde. Honorable mention: Matt Mantei.

The manager....Bob Brenly obviously won a World Series in 2001. But, if you compare the talent level of the '07 team to that of the '01 team....no contest....Melvin got the very most out of his guys last year, and I expect more of the same in years to come.