University of Richmond Athletics
Richmond's Tracy Woodson To Receive R.B.I. Award
01/13/2014 | Baseball
RICHMOND, Va. – University of Richmond Spiders head baseball coach Tracy Woodson will receive the Paul Keyes R.B.I. Award at the 4th Annual Richmond Flying Squirrels Hot Stove Banquet on Thursday.
The Paul Keyes R.B.I. (Richmond Baseball Impact) Award was established in 2011 at the 1st Annual Flying Squirrels Hot Stove Banquet. The award recognizes those that have positively impacted and influenced the game of baseball in the Richmond community. Those contributions could be made at any level of baseball, from the amateur ranks all the way through the Major Leagues.
“It's a great honor and I am very humbled to be receiving this prestigious honor,” Woodson remarked. “The three previous recipients I have a relationship with and feel very fortunate to be in their company with this honor.”
In 2013, the award was renamed the Paul Keyes R.B.I. Award, named after former VCU baseball coach Paul Keyes, who lost his battle with cancer in the Fall of 2012. Past recipients of the award have been Eddie Kasko (2011), Johnny Grubb (2012) and Gene Alley (2013).
A Richmond native, Woodson attended nearby Benedictine High School before becoming a college standout at N.C. State. Woodson was named ACC Player of the Year and Second Team All-American in 1984. He was selected to the ACC's 50th Anniversary Team in 2002 and inducted into the N.C. State Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.
A third-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1984, Woodson played for legendary Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda and was a member of the 1988 World Series Championship Dodger team, playing the corner infield spot. Over his 13-year professional career, Woodson played with the Dodgers from 1987-1989 and the St. Louis Cardinals from 1992-1993.
During his time in the minor leagues, Woodson was named the New York Yankees AAA Most Valuable Player with Columbus. He was a member of three AAA championship teams and a Triple-A All-Star in 1988. Woodson also played in the AA All-Star game in 1986. In 1991, he played for his hometown team, the Triple-A Richmond Braves.
Proceeds from this year's Hot Stove Banquet will benefit the Flying Squirrels Charities and their Community Partners. Table Sponsorships and tickets for the 4th Annual Hot Stove are available by calling the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-3866.
