November 13, 2003
Remembering Dernell Stenson
Players, coaches and managers are trying to create a Dernell Stenson award to be given to a player in the Arizona Fall League each year.
On the field during this Fall League season, Stenson was among the league leaders in batting average, so one possibility would be to give the Dernell Stenson Award to the AFL batting champion each year. It would serve as a wonderful testament to what Stenson accomplished on the field, and what direction his career was heading.
But after talking to his teammates, and his AFL manager Rick Burleson, that didn't sound like enough. As much of a talent as Stenson was on the field, his impact off the field is what truly needs to be remembered.
"The Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award, going to someone who plays hard every day, who does his job without complaint," Burleson said. "That tells more about the individual Dernell was than a batting title award. You're emulating a guy like Dernell, a soft-spoken, hard-nosed player who played the game the way it's supposed to be played."
Reds pitching prospect Joe Valentine echoed those sentiments. He played with Stenson for only a short amount of time, but that time has left an indelible mark on Valentine.
"He was always early and the last to leave," Valentine said. "He played the game the way it was meant to be played. That's the mark he's left on me and probably everybody he's ever played with. It definitely would be a fitting as a tribute to him."
Stenson seems to be quite loved by his fellow players. I think the sportsmanship award would indeed be a fitting memorial.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:50 PM
|
Awards
|
TrackBack (0)