Franco, special guest of Biscuits in 2011, dies

Brendan Franco, the cancer-stricken boy who visited the Biscuits on July 4, 2011, died Thursday, the Southeast Sun reports.

Franco, diagnosed with terminal liver cancer last spring, was a special guest of the Biscuits last summer. He was part of a police escort that took him to Riverwalk Stadium, was in the dugout to meet the players and threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

The Biscuits made him feel special, too. Manager Billy Gardner and hitting coach Ozzie Timmons kept him on the bench almost until the first pitch. Infielder Cole Figueroa produced a brand new glove for Franco, then 12, to be in style for his ceremonial throw.

I'm not counting this post

This is the first day without a blog item since March 24. That's 180 days and 1,035 posts. Withdrawal, anyone?

Cruz chooses California charity

Biscuits pitcher Joe Cruz says his charity of choice is the Wayne C. Clayton foundation. It is located in El Monte, Calif., practically next to Cruz's home of Baldwin Park, and benefits the San Gabriel Valley.

The Rays will donate $2,500 in Cruz's name after Cruz won their Erik Walker community service award.

Cruz wins Tampa Bay community service award

Biscuits pitcher Joe Cruz won Tampa Bay's minor league community service award, named for a player who died in a 2006 canoeing accident.

Cruz, a 24-year-old right-hander whose year was cut short by injury, will be recognized at tonight's Rays game and the team will give $2,500 to the charity of his choice.

The award is named for Erik Walker, who was drafted in 2006, signed and played for short-season Hudson Valley and died Oct. 26, 11 days before his 23rd birthday.

This year's other finalists were: starting pitcher Chris Archer (Durham), reliever Chris Rearick (Charlotte), reliever and former Auburn pitcher Austin Hubbard (Bowling Green), pitcher Jeff Ames (Hudson Valley) and first baseman John Alexander (Princeton).

Each finalist's favorite charity receives a $500 donation.

Previous Walker award winners were: Charlotte's Matt Hall (2011), Charlotte's Stephen Vogt (2010), Princeton's Ryan Wiegand (2009), Montgomery's Matt Spring (2008) and Vero Beach's Patrick Cottrell (2007).

Archer, Glaesmann picked by Rays

Pitcher Chris Archer and outfielder Todd Glaesmann won the Rays' minor league organizational awards for 2012, the Rays announced today.

Archer spent virtually all season with Triple-A Durham with some time, including now, with Tampa Bay. Glaesmann split time between low-Class A Bowling Green and high-Class A Charlotte.

Team MVPs ...
Durham: 1B Leslie Anderson
Montgomery: RHP Alex Colome
Charlotte: SS Derek Dietrich
Bowling Green: OF Drew Vettleson
Hudson Valley: RHP Jeff Ames
Princeton: IF Ben Kline
Dominican: 3B Alexander Simon
Venezuela: OF Jose Paez

Best defensive player: OF Kevin Kiermaier
Best baserunner: SS Hak-Ju Lee
Best relief pitcher: LHP Chris Rearick