Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — In all the fuss around the end of the season, the divisional race and the tough injuries on the final weekend of the season, we should also mention some good news. It was announced on October 2nd that utilityman Chris Taylor was named the team’s recipient for the 16th annual Roy Campanella award
The award is given to a Dodger player that best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of Campanella, the Dodgers Hall-of-Fame catcher that became paralyzed from the neck down after breaking his neck in a car accident in Glen Cove, NY on January 28, 1958. The accident ended his playing career, but it did not break his spirit.
Until he was slowed by an injury late in the year, Taylor was the epitome of that ethos, showing up for work every day, willing to do whatever was asked of him to help the team win.
All Dodgers players and uniformed personnel voted on the award, and Taylor was presented with the honor in a pregame ceremony on Saturday night. Campanella’s daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, and grandson, Cary Bell, were on hand to deliver the award to Taylor.
“He’s invaluable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said of Taylor. “Having your regular players out, and for him to step up, play a premium defensive position and have a huge day offensively, we needed every bit of it. That’s why I just think so highly of the person and the player.”
Roy Campanella was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 and was among the first three Dodgers to have their uniform numbers retired alongside Jackie Robinson and Sandy Koufax. Campanella remained active in the Dodgers’ Community Relations Department until his death on June 26, 1993 at the age of 71.
All Dodgers players and uniformed personnel voted on the award, and Taylor was presented with the honor in a pregame ceremony on Saturday night. Campanella’s daughter, Joni Campanella Roan, and grandson, Cary Bell, were on hand to deliver the award to Taylor.
Previous winners of this award for the most inspirational teammate have included the types of guys that you’d expect on this list: Justin Turner (3 times), Clayton Kershaw (2 times), Chase Utley (2 times). In addition, there are a few names that you wouldn’t necessarily expect. The usually shy Zack Greinke won the award in 2015, and journey infielder Jamey Carroll was the award winner in 2010. It just goes to show that you never know where inspiration will come from.
