Huggins Given Inaugural Steve Bechler Memorial Spirit Award
July 17, 2003 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
Frederick Keys first baseman Mike Huggins was given the inaugural Steve Bechler Memorial Spirit Award presented at the 8th annual Frederick Keys/SunTrust Charity Golf Classic at Rattlewood Golf Course in Mt. Airy, MD on July 16, 2003. The award is given to the Keys player who best represents the spirit of the Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund, a.k.a. Joel's Kids.
Huggins is playing his first season with the Keys, a Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. He was selected to the 2003 California vs. Carolina League All-Star Game for his play during the First Half of the season. However, it was his eagerness to get out in the community and help others that led to Keys staffers selecting Huggins for the award.
"It's one of the best honors I've ever received," commented Huggins after receiving the award. "Being a part of the Orioles organization, Steve Bechler's tragic death hits especially close to home. I'm very thankful that others would think of me in this way, and I'm very humbled."
Steve Bechler was a pitcher in the Orioles organization who died unexpectedly during a spring training workout on February 17, 2003 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the age of 23. He spent parts of two seasons with the Keys from 2000-2001. The Keys front office created the Steve Bechler Memorial Spirit Award to remember the late pitcher who was always enthusiastic about helping with Joel's Kids and would later come to embody the spirit of Joel's Kids.
"Mike is a very community-oriented young man, and he does a good job communicating with the fans at the ballpark," said Keys manager Tom Lawless about Huggins' spirit. "He is a first-class individual, and he represents the organization well. He is well-deserved for the award."
The Frederick Keys formed Joel's Kids to benefit children dealing with serious illness, or the bereavement due to the death of a parent or sibling. Joel A. Stephens was one of the most inspirational athletes to ever play in the Baltimore Orioles organization and left a lasting legacy on the Keys and their sister club, the Class A Delmarva Shorebirds. In the fall of 1997, Stephens was diagnosed with colon cancer and fought a valiant and courageous battle against all odds, even attempting a comeback with the Frederick Keys in June of 1998. Stephens passed away at his home in Tioga, PA on September 30, 2003 at the age of 22.
Carolina League Stories from July 17, 2003
- Diamond Jaxx Sweep Mudcats by Identical 3-1 Scores - Carolina Mudcats
- Rocks Blanked in Salem - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Huggins Given Inaugural Steve Bechler Memorial Spirit Award - Frederick Keys
- Frederick Keys Report - Frederick Keys
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