ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. The idea came to Joe Maddon as he heard Kevin Garcias story of resilience Thursday, and the Tampa Bay Rays manager wanted to continue the recognition. There, Maddon saw a chance to extend Garcias happiness. There, Maddon saw an opportunity to make a strong young mans day.
On Thursday night, Garcia was recognized at the Tampa Bay Sports Commissions third annual Sneaker Soiree, which honored the regions standout amateur and professional athletes. Garcia, who graduates June 6 from Strawberry Crest High School in nearby Dover, Fla., was given the Freddie Solomon Moral Courage Award for playing in his schools varsity basketball game on Senior Night in January despite suffering from scoliosis, a condition characterized by a abnormal curvature of the spine.
Before that night, Garcia had played two years on the junior-varsity team. But Strawberry Crest High coach Andre Lewis wanted to give Garcia a Senior Night to remember. So Lewis asked Isaiah Channer, a varsity ...
