John Alexander Receives 2012 P-Rays "Erik Walker Community Champion Award" nomination
The award was created in memory of Walker, a Tampa Bay minor league pitcher who died tragically in October, 2006 in a boating accident after spending his first season in pro baseball with the organization as a member of the Hudson Valley Renegades. The award annually recognizes a Tampa Bay Rays' minor league player who exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship and community involvement. There are seven finalists, one nominee from each Tampa Bay affiliate team.
"We've been fortunate that Tampa Bay has always sent us a lot of high character kids and we did have some good candidates to be nominated here this year. However, in picking our nominee, it always seemed to come back to John Alexander," revealed P-Rays' General Manager Jim Holland about the team's choice.
Alexander learned of his selection as part of a pre-game clubhouse meeting before the team's last game of the year in Elizabethton on August 28, when Holland made the announcement.
When you learn about his upbringing, it is easy to understand how Alexander's character was developed to put him on the road to receive such a nomination as that of the Erik Walker Award.
"Helping others is just the way my parents brought me up. In addition to just playing baseball, I want to use this opportunity of being a professional baseball player to help others," assessed Alexander during a September 24 telephone interview from Port Charlotte, FL, where he is attending the Rays' Fall Instructional League camp.
The overall winner for 2012 was former 2007-08 P-Rays' pitcher Joe Cruz, who represented the Rays' AA affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits. Cruz received a commemorative plaque, and the Tampa Bay Rays will donate $2,500.00 in his name to the charity of his choice.
The Tampa Bay Rays will also make separate $500.00 donations to various charities in the names of, and selected by, the remaining six finalists, so all nominees are honored appropriately.
As for Alexander, he has already selected his charity and made the Tampa Bay front office aware of his donation choice: R.A.I.N.N.
The initials stand for The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, which is an American anti-sexual assault organization, the largest in the United States. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and to ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
Of his choice, Alexander said "I feel very strongly about this subject and what this organization stands for. This is a way I can help out. Hopefully this will make people more aware of this organization and show there is a place where victims can turn to."
"Helping out" absolutely defines John Alexander's time in Princeton as he was involved in almost every charitable event in which the Princeton Rays participated. Asked for his favorite community endeavor here, he was quick to respond.
"Tops for me was bagging groceries at Grant's while helping to encourage shoppers to buy a few extra cans of food for the needy," recalled Alexander, who was decked out in P-Rays' game jersey top while bagging groceries on August 9. He added he liked the event and hopes it continues in future years as it is a good way for the team to interact with the community and ask for the much needed food donations.
In addition to being active in the community off the field, Erik Walker Community Champion Award nominees must meet the criteria of being a good teammate and sportsman on the field. P-Rays' manager Michael Johns also gave the voice of approval in these areas when Holland advised him as to Alexander's pending nomination.
Overall winners of the Erik Walker Community Champion Award have been Pat Cottrell (Vero Beach) in 2007, Matt Spring (Montgomery) in 2008, Ryan Wiegand (Princeton) in 2009, Stephen Vogt (Charlotte) in 2010, Matt Hall (Charlotte) in 2011 and they are joined by 2012 winner Joe Cruz (Montgomery). Winners have always been awarded annually in an on-field ceremony in September (this year's was September 19) at Tropicana Field prior to a Tampa Bay Rays' major league game.
Princeton nominees for the award annually have been 2007-OF Justin Reynolds, 2008-LHP Joey Dettrich, 2009-1B Ryan Wiegand, 2010-RHP Victor Mateo, 2011-OF Drew Vettleson, and 2012-1B John Alexander.
To get more immediate and breaking information year-round on Princeton Rays Professional Baseball as it occurs, do not forget that the P-Rays are now on Facebook. Be sure to check out and "like" our Facebook section on our website at www.princetonrays.net. Don't miss your opportunity to sign up for this free service! ANOTHER FREE OPPORTUNITY for you to keep up with your P-Rays is to follow the team on "Twitter" at @princetonrays or by accessing www.twitter.com/princetonrays.