Arizona Diamondbacks To Retire Luis Gonzalez's No. 20 in August | Valley Fever | Phoenix | Phoenix New Times | The Leading Independent News Source in Phoenix, Arizona
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Arizona Diamondbacks To Retire Luis Gonzalez's No. 20 in August

Luis Gonzalez is the Diamondbacks leader in numerous offensive categories: games played, hits, home runs, and runs batted in. Now, Gonzo will be the first player in D-Backs history to have his number retired, as his Number 20 will be retired in a pre-game ceremony August 7 against San Diego...
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Luis Gonzalez is the Diamondbacks leader in numerous offensive categories: games played, hits, home runs, and runs batted in.

Now, Gonzo will be the first player in D-Backs history to have his number retired, as his Number 20 will be retired in a pre-game ceremony August 7 against San Diego.

Behind his game-winning hit to win the 2001 World Series, which can be seen here, this is probably one of the sweetest moments of his career.

In a career that spanned 19 seasons, Gonzalez hit .283 with 2,591 hits, 354 home runs and 1,439 RBIs while playing for six teams.

The D-Backs actually changed their usual team policy to retire the number. Usually the team required a player to be selected for the Hall of Fame before his number was put to rest.

The organization felt it was appropriate to abandon the number for Gonzalez, however, who is now a special assistant to club president Derrick Hall.

Still, the announcement isn't a surprise considering Gonzo is one of the most popular players in the franchise's 13-year history.

Along with pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, nobody had more of an impact on the D-Backs than Gonzo.

And speaking of that dominant duo, Johnson and Schilling should be the next two numbers to be hoisted into right field.

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