Griffin Jax Honored at Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Virtual Cermony

"The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation is proud to honor Minnesota Twins pitcher Griffin Jax,” Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation Founder and President Peter J. Fertig said. “Griffin has served his country honorably, becoming the first professional athlete in Major League Baseball to come from the United States Air Force Academy. His service to our country, like Bob Feller’s, serves as a reminder that service above self is still as important today as it was in years past."

Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller enlisted in the military after Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. This award recognizes those who share Feller’s commitment to serving the United States. The award began in 2013.

When Griffin Jax was the Twins third-round draft pick in 2016, he became the highest-drafted player ever from the Air Force Academy. On June 8, he became the first Air Force Academy graduate to play in the big leagues. 

He remained on active duty in 2019, and he maintains the rank of Captain in the Air Force Reserves. His wife Savannah is a Captain in the US Air Force. She was deployed to Afghanistan just last year and was scheduled for another deployment in 2021. 

In an MLB.com article by Do Hyoung-Park, Jax said, "I think my job is stressful, but hearing what she has to do, and all that stuff, I've got it easy." 

In a pre-recorded acceptance aired online on Thursday night, Jax remained humble and thanked many including the Twins for nominating him. It's clear his entire family has strongly supported the military, not only in words and funds, but with active duty. 

"It is a huge honor. As a fellow serviceman, I understand the sacrifice and duty that one must embody as a serviceman. While I serve more in the recruitment role as a reservist, I understand first-hand, watching what my wife does on a day-to-day basis, and my two brothers, both Air Force Academy graduates and in pilot training, and their spouses as well. I watch how they embody themselves in the morals and the sacrifices they take on daily. I just want to give them a shout out as well because they are the true reason this award exists. 

Past Bob Feller Act of Valor Award winners
2013: Justin Verlander
2014: Nick Swisher
2015: Jonathan Lucroy
2016: Brad Ziegler
2017: Darren O’Day
2018: Sean Doolittle
2019: Ian Kennedy
2020: Craig Stammen

The 2021 winners include: 

1. National Baseball Hall of Fame Award: Joe Torre, Major League Baseball

2. Major League Baseball Award: Griffin Jax, Minnesota Twins

3. United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Award: ACC (AW/SW/IW) Joshua A. Sawyer, Naval Air Station Fallon, NV

4. United States Marine Corps, Jerry Coleman Award: First Sergeant, Daniel P. Best, Support Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Support Battalion, III Marine Information Group

5. Peer-to-Peer, Sea Command Award: USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42) Junior Enlisted Association, Sasebo Japan.

6. Peer-to-Peer, Ashore Installation Award: Training Support Center, Great Lakes, IL Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) 

7. Bob Feller Fellowship Award: Galen Odell, Emerson College 

According to the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation says on its website, “Each honoree possesses the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed.” 

Over 500 MLB players have served in the military, including 37 Hall of Famers.

Congratulations to Griffin Jax and the other recipients tonight! 

More on Griffin Jax: 

• Get To Know: Twins RHP Prospect Griffin Jax (January 2017)
• Jax Debuts for Kernels (July 2017)
• Griffin Jax's Baseball Career Resumes (May 2018) 
• ERA to MBA: The Many Talents of Griffin Jax (May 2021) 
• Prospect Retrospective: Griffin Jax (June 2021) 
• Trio Hinting at Twins Pitching Pipeline (August 2021)