PHOENIX -- Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes made an appearance Friday evening to lend his support to the Arizona Fall League's first annual Pat Tillman Foundation Benefit Night.

Byrnes spoke to fans about the Pat Tillman Foundation (www.pattillmanfoundation.org) and threw out the first pitch at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Arizona State University baseball coach Pat Murphy, a friend of the Tillman family, also spoke about Tillman and the foundation during pregame ceremonies.

Byrnes encouraged fans to bid on a variety of baseball memorabilia in a silent auction held to raise funds for the foundation. The auction took place before and during the Phoenix Desert Dogs' 3-2, 10-inning victory over the Scottsdale Scorpions.

Byrnes talked about Tillman, against whom he played in high school in the San Francisco Bay Area, and what it meant to be able to support the foundation.

"He was such an important individual in history almost, I think it's important to continue to teach each generation about Pat and who he was and what he did," said Byrnes.

Tillman played football at ASU and for the Arizona Cardinals. He left the NFL when he and his brother, Kevin, decided to join the U.S. Army in July 2002. They served tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004. Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan in April 2004.

The Tillman Foundation was created by Pat's family and friends following his death. Its mission is to carry forward his legacy by inspiring people to make positive changes in themselves and in the world around them.

"His family came to me and they knew that I was now playing baseball here in Arizona and they asked me if I wanted to get involved in some way," Byrnes said. "I couldn't think of a better charity to involve myself with.

"We've created this 'Team Tillman' and it's growing. For the Fall League to come out and support the foundation like this is ... I'm kind of beside myself, I can't be anymore thankful."

Byrnes played in the AFL for the Desert Dogs in 1999 and 2000.

"This is a showcase league," he said. "[The league has] the most talented young players in baseball and it was great to be a part of it. I learned a lot and I really enjoyed my time here."

AFL executive vice president Steve Cobb said he was glad to have Byrnes back to participate in the league's first charity event.

"I think anytime that a former player comes back, it says a lot about that individual," Cobb said. "It's very rewarding to see guys like Eric come back.

"He was just the same enthusiastic, hard-working professional [in the Fall League] that he is now."

Byrnes said he was happy to be able to support the AFL and its efforts with the Tillman Foundation.

"Anything I can do to continue to keep Pat's name alive and well and his legacy intact, I want to be a part of it," he said.

Byrnes had a chance to view the silent auction items and was impressed with the selection. Hall of Famer Frank Robinson played a large part in contacting Major League teams and securing the memorabilia.

Robinson's efforts certainly showed. Some 40 autographed jerseys from a variety of MLB teams and players, along with many other items -- bats, balls, photos and posters -- were up for bid.

Orlando Hudson, Byrnes' teammate on the Diamondbacks who played for the AFL's Scottsdale Scorpions in 2001, stopped by the auction room to show his support. They joked about which of their autographed jerseys would receive the highest bids.

Byrnes wrote a note on Hudson's bid form that said, "Pay me $1,000 and I'll take it," then signed his name. They and the fans standing nearby got a good laugh.

Cobb was impressed by Hudson's appearance and support of his teammate.

"I thought it was great that [Hudson] thought enough to come over tonight," said Cobb, who is looking forward to expanding the event in years to come. "We think that we can build off of this in the future. I felt really, really proud standing next to [Byrnes] and certainly hearing of his personal relationship with Pat Tillman."

Byrnes, who has been a supporter of the foundation for several years, said he was glad to back the fundraising efforts but was quick to turn the focus away from himself.

"It's not about me. As long as [the fans] support the foundation and they support Pat's legacy, [that's] all that matters to me," he said.