Former professional baseball player and manager, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks as an advisor, Tony La Russa, hosted a fundraiser for animal rescue in Phoenix on Wednesday evening, with stars of the baseball and sports world joining him to show their support.


The fundraiser was held at Steak 44 in Phoenix, with big baseball stars such as Mark McGwire and Albert Pujols in attendance at the fundraiser. Several others walked the red carpet, including George Brett, Ann Meyers, Barry Larkin, Joe Carter, Reggie Sanders, Bob Melvin and Jerry Colangelo.


Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Walnut Creek, California. ARF rescues dogs and cats from public shelters where they would otherwise be euthanized and adopts them into new homes, as well as runs programs to strengthen the human-animal bond for seniors, children, hospital patients, veterans, and people in disadvantaged circumstances.


Bruce Arians and Steve Keim of the Arizona Cardinals were also in attendance, speaking with the media on the red carpet prior to the event. Arians was sporting an arm sling, following an accidental injury caused by Larry Fitzgerald during a recent game.


Steak 44, located in Phoenix on 44th Street at Camelback, opened to stellar reviews in April of 2014 and is the latest steakhouse masterpiece by Dennis, Michael and Jeff Mastro, along with partner Scott Troilo, who also own the popular Dominick’s Steakhouse in the Scottsdale Quarter.


You can find photos from the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskT9nfVQ