Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Gantt Wins Tom Walker Inspiration Award

Renegades outfielder Marty Gantt has won the 2012 Tom Walker Inspiration Award. Gantt has overcome an physical abnormality to excel in baseball and lead the College of Charleston baseball team to the NCAA playoffs. Gantt was born with an undeveloped right hand but that did not stop him from winning the Southern Conference Player of the Year and leading the team in hitting for 2012.

Gantt was drafted by the Rays in the seventh round of this year’s draft. He quickly picked up where he left off in college, hitting .218 with 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 16 RBI’s in 50 games with the Renegades.

The Tom Walker Inspiration Award was started in honor of Wake Forest coach Tom Walker who donated his kidney to one of his players. The award is given to collegiate players who display courage, the ability to overcome adversity and provide an inspiration.

4 comments:

  1. Nice award,quite an athlete

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    1. I love CofC my wife played softball there. Awesome town and school. If anyone has a high schooler looking at colleges, baseball or not, have your boy check out the female scene in the low country.

      As far as Marty, great accomplishment for this kid. I remember after we drafted him, he did an interview and said the only draw back to his disability is that he can not check his swing. Other than that its all good.

      Best of luck to Marty!

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  2. For folks that aren't aware of Gantt's disability, we posted a video about it back when he was drafted:

    http://www.raysprospects.com/2012/06/rays-7th-round-pick-242nd-overall-of.html

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  3. My husband and I have been hosting from 1 to 4 Hudson Valley Renegades per season, since 2006. (Players in the Hudson Valley live in homes, get fed in homes, etc...)This year, we are very fortunate to have Marty living in our home. We can only say good things about him, and we can't think of a more deserving young man for this award. Congratulations, Marty!

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