Erik Walker Community Champion Award
The Erik Walker Community Champion Award annually recognizes one Rays minor league player who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement, attributes exhibited by Rays minor league pitcher Erik Walker, who died tragically in October 2006 in a canoeing accident. Right-handed pitcher Joe Cruz was named the 2012 winner of the award. Cruz, 24, was recognized at the Rays minor league awards ceremony at Tropicana Field prior to a Rays-Red Sox game. He received a plaque and $2,500 to be awarded to the charity of his choice.
Each of the Rays six domestic minor league affiliates nominated a candidate for the award. The Rays also recognized the other five finalists by donating $500 in each player's name to the charity of his choice. The other finalists were Chris Archer (Durham), Chris Rearick (Charlotte), Austin Hubbard (Bowling Green), Jeff Ames (Hudson Valley) and John Alexander (Princeton). Nominees embodied the qualities of Erik Walker, recognized as a great teammate and caring person and who enriched the lives of people in need and inspired others to do the same.
Past Winners of the Erik Walker Community Champion Award:
- 2011 Matt Hall, Charlotte
- 2010 Stephen Vogt, Charlotte
- 2009 Ryan Wiegand, Princeton
- 2008 Matt Spring, Montgomery
- 2007 Pat Cottrell, Vero Beach