Lake Wales has yet another reason to be proud of its hometown baseball star, Wade Davis. The 27-year-old Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher received the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCF) Ted Williams Award recently in St. Petersburg. Tampa Bay Lightning Captain Vincent LaCavalier, last year’s honoree, presented the award to Davis at the Renaissance Vinoy.

The 6’5” pitcher who spent his first two-plus seasons with the Rays as a starter is known for the velocity and the command of his curveball. Some fans say he was thrown a curveball when he was sent to the bullpen, but Davis adapted well, and gained respect for his bold moves off the baseball diamond when he let a young cancer patient shave his head in 2011 to raise awareness for the PCF. In a show of support, all his teammates, coaches and staff joined his “bald” move by having their heads shaved.