Blue Jays Award Winners
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS are proud to recognize the achievements of NATE MURRIE, MATT ANDERSON, RICHARD "STUBBY" CLAPP and TAYLOR COLE with awards for excellence in Amateur Scouting, Professional Scouting, Player Development and Community Service, respectively.
MURRIE has been selected as the 2014 recipient of the AL LAMACCHIA AWARD given annually to the amateur scout that exemplifies the work ethic and perseverance best demonstrated by the longtime Blue Jays executive for whom the award is named. A native of Bowling Green Kentucky, Murrie has served as a Blue Jays Area Scout for five years. Prior to his scouting career Nate coached for two years at Ohio University and two years at Northwest Florida State College. During his tenure Murrie has scouted and signed Daniel Norris, Clint Hollon and Lane Thomas.
ANDERSON has been named the Blue Jays 2014 PRO SCOUT OF THE YEAR. Matt expanded his coverage in 2014 covering three Major League organizations, his 3rd year with the Blue Jays. Known for his outstanding work ethic and detail to his craft, the former Assistant Coach at the University of Oklahoma has also served as an Amateur and Pro Scout for the Braves, Expos and Marlins.
CLAPP is being recognized as this year's recipient of the BOBBY MATTICK AWARD for excellence in Player Development. Born in Windsor, Ontario, Stubby has spent the last two seasons as the Hitting Coach in Dunedin (High-A). A member of Canada's 1999 Pan American Games team, 2004 Olympic team and 2006 World Baseball Classic club, Clapp spent 11 seasons playing professionally, including 23 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2001. Clapp started his coaching career in 2008 in the Astros system, highlighted by a division crown with Tri City (A) serving as the team's Manager. Stubby was influential in the development of several key Blue Jays farmhands over the past two seasons, including Dalton Pompey, Dwight Smith Jr., Jon Berti, Andy Burns and Derrick Chung. His preparation and tireless work ethic each and every day makes the award richly deserved.
COLE has been named this year's winner of the COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD. The 25 year-old right-hander was exceptionally active with the Blue Jays initiative programs serving youth in the Dunedin, Florida area. Among the programs Taylor participated in were the team's annual "Bookin' it to the Ballpark" reading program and summer "Kickball Tour"; a health and wellness initiative promoting an active lifestyle among kids of all ages at various summer camps. Additionally, Taylor led a group of teammates in a "Toys for Tots" shopping spree in support of the non-profit organization. Taylor was promoted to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in early August and on his first day with the team, volunteered to speak with players and coaches of New Hampshire's state champion, Goffstown Little League. Warm-hearted and selfless in his volunteerism, Taylor was always willing to answer a litany of questions from kids in an earnest manner, and took the extra time to sign last minute autographs in the classroom, at the ballpark and wherever fans could be found. In his words, "It's our responsibility to give back, as so many have done for us."