D-backs to start season with numerous Opening Day pregame festivities

Opening Day is Thursday and the Arizona Diamondbacks will be kicking off their 20th anniversary season against the Colorado Rockies with various pregame festivities at Chase Field.

Before the game, manager Torey Lovullo will be honored with the 2017 National League Manager of the Year award for the D-backs’ 93-69 season. The team improved by 24 wins from 2016 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Arizona beat the Rockies in the National League Wild Card Game, the team’s first postseason win since 2007, but then was swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in three games in the National League Division Series.

Lovullo won’t be the only Diamondback honored as first baseman Paul Goldschmidt will be presented with the 2017 Louisville Silver Slugger Award.

Goldschmidt will also receive the 2017 Rawlings Gold Glove Award along with pitcher Zack Greinke.

Right before the game begins, the ceremonial first pitch will include a player from each of Arizona’s six playoff teams. That includes 2001 National League Silver Slugger Luis Gonzalez, four-time Gold Glove Award winner Mark Grace, 2006 National League Cy Young winner award winner Brandon Webb and pitcher Archie Bradley.

The national anthem will be sung by local artist Roger Clyne, who created the “D-backs Swing” song. The roof of Chase Field will be open for the game as long as weather is permitting and there will be a flyover by four F-35s before the game.

There will also be an Opening Day Street Festival at 4 p.m. on 4th and Jackson streets with food trucks, music and other activities before the game begins.

The Diamondbacks will be hosting the Rockies for an additional two games and then the Dodgers come to town for a three-game stretch before the D-backs hit the road.

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