Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Matthew Brown
One of the fastest rising franchises in baseball history has been home to many great players. While these heroes might not have bronze plaques, they live forever in the memories of fans who remember when baseball in the desert meant pool splashes and Randy Johnson’s mullet. Let’s celebrate 20 D-backs who deserved more recognition.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus, we'll send you other unbelievable stories from baseball's past.
Brandon Webb: The Sinker That Disappeared
Before shoulder injuries cut his career tragically short, Webb’s sinker was the most devastating pitch in baseball. His 2006 Cy Young season (16-8, 3.10 ERA) and three straight All-Star appearances showed what might have been, while his ability to succeed in the thin desert air made him a pioneer of ground-ball pitching at altitude.
Steve Finley: The Desert’s Gold Glover
Finley’s combination of power (35 homers in 1999) and graceful center field play made him the perfect fit for Bank One Ballpark’s spacious outfield, while his leadership helped establish a winning culture for the young franchise.
Matt Williams: The Original Snake
The franchise’s first big star brought credibility and power to the expansion team’s lineup. His 35 homers in 1999 helped power the team to a division title, while his steady defense at third base and veteran presence helped transform the D-backs from expansion afterthought to World Series champions in just four years.
Mark Grace: Chicago’s Hero in the Desert
After 13 years as a Cubs icon, Grace found World Series glory in the desert. His crucial double off Mike Mussina in Game 1 of the 2001 World Series set the tone for the upset, while his veteran leadership and clutch hitting made him the perfect complement to the team’s younger stars.
Jay Bell: The First Diamond Back
The franchise’s first-ever batter became its spiritual leader during those early years. His surprising power surge in 1999 (38 homers) helped drive the team to a division title, while his move from shortstop to second base showed the kind of selflessness that defined those early D-backs teams.
Curt Schilling: The Desert’s Big Game Hunter
Before the bloody sock in Boston, Schilling was the co-ace who helped bring Arizona its only championship. His three complete games in the 2001 postseason showed his big-game mentality, while his partnership with Randy Johnson created perhaps the most formidable pitching duo in modern baseball history.
Miguel Batista: The Poet on the Mound
The published poet brought both literary flair and pitching versatility to the desert. His ability to start or relieve made him invaluable during the 2001 championship run, while his intellectual pursuits off the field made him one of baseball’s most unique characters.
Craig Counsell: The Stance That Time Forgot
That impossibly high batting stance became a Desert trademark, but it was his clutch hitting that made him a legend. His scoring the winning run in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series completed a journey that began with him doing the same thing for the Marlins in 1997, while his gritty play epitomized the team’s underdog spirit.
Byung-Hyun Kim: The Submarine Success
Before the heartbreak in Yankee Stadium, BK’s unique submarine delivery made him one of baseball’s most unhittable closers. His 36 saves in 2002 showed his resilience after the World Series struggles, while his ability to throw multiple innings made him a pioneer of modern relief pitching.
Tony Womack: The Speed in the Sand
His game-tying double off Mariano Rivera in Game 7 might have been the biggest hit in franchise history. Before that moment, his speed (72 stolen bases in 1999) terrorized the National League, while his energy at the top of the lineup sparked the offense during the championship years.
Danny Bautista: The World Series Wonder
His .583 batting average in the 2001 World Series made him an unlikely hero on baseball’s biggest stage. Though never a regular starter, his clutch hitting and defensive versatility made him the perfect role player for a championship team, proving that October legends can come from anywhere in the lineup.
Chris Young: The Center Field Artist
His combination of power and defense made him the perfect center fielder for Chase Field’s spacious outfield. Young’s 32-homer season in 2007 showed his potential as a five-tool star, while his spectacular catches at the wall became a regular highlight reel feature on the local broadcasts.
Orlando Hudson: The O-Dog’s Defense
The O-Dog brought swagger and spectacular defense to second base during Arizona’s mid-2000s resurgence. His four Gold Gloves and infectious energy made him a fan favorite, while his ability to hit from both sides of the plate made him the ideal No. 2 hitter in the lineup.
Ian Kennedy: The Cy Young Contender
His breakout 2011 season (21-4, 2.88 ERA) helped lead the D-backs to a surprise division title. That year, Kennedy showed that pitching success in the desert didn’t require overwhelming velocity, just precise command and a warrior’s mentality on the mound.
Eric Byrnes: The Desert Dirt Dog
His all-out style and bleached-blonde hair made him the perfect fan favorite in the desert. Byrnes’ 2007 season (21 homers, 50 steals) showed his unique combination of power and speed, while his diving catches and dirt-stained uniform embodied the gritty spirit of those mid-2000s teams.
Justin Upton: The Young Phenom
The first overall pick lived up to the hype with raw power that made Chase Field look small. His 2011 season (.289, 31 homers, 21 steals) showed his superstar potential, while his mammoth home runs into the Friday’s Front Row restaurant became must-see TV in Arizona.
Dan Haren: The Rotation’s Rock
His pinpoint control and devastating splitter made him one of baseball’s most underrated aces. During his Arizona tenure (2008-2010), Haren posted a remarkable 3.56 ERA while pitching half his games in a hitter’s paradise, proving that command and intelligence could overcome the challenges of desert baseball.
Zack Greinke: The Silent Ace
His cerebral approach and pinpoint command made him the perfect complement to power pitchers like Robbie Ray. During his Arizona years (2016-2019), Greinke posted a remarkable 3.40 ERA at Chase Field, while his analytical approach to pitching and legendary batting practice sessions made him one of baseball’s most fascinating characters.
Reggie Sanders: The Desert Journeyman
Though he only spent one season in the desert, Sanders made it count by helping power the team to its only World Series title. His 33 homers and steady right field play in 2001 provided crucial support to the Gonzalez-led offense, while his veteran presence helped steady a team learning how to win on baseball’s biggest stage.
Luis Gonzalez: The 2001 Hero’s Blooper
That World Series-winning bloop single off Mariano Rivera should have punched his ticket to Cooperstown alone. Gonzo’s 57-homer season in 2001 might have raised eyebrows, but his consistent excellence and clutch hitting made him the face of the franchise during its greatest moment.