Statue Honors Dave Winfield

(Fairbanks, Ak.) The sculpture depicts Winfield striking what’s known as the Midnight Sun Moonshot, an epic pinch-hit grand slam home run that sailed 5 hundred feet off his bat out of Growden Park, across the street and onto the Fairbanks Curling Club.
“It was one of those, immediately when you hit it, you know it’s gone.” 
Winfield was a teenage pitcher at University of Minnesota when he played 2 summers for the college league Fairbanks Goldpanners in 1971 and 72, and credits the Panners for giving him a chance to bat.
“The door was opened for me to have the opportunity to hit.”
Winfield went on to a standout 22-year career as a hitter and fielder in the major leagues, that included a World Series championship and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was honored at the statue unveiling by numerous speakers, including who both saw him play at Growden Park, like Alaska US Senator Lisa Murkowski.
“I don’t know how you can drive by the Curling Club without thinking of your Midnight Moonshot, but I know that there are many of us that still talk about that.”  
And City Mayor David Pruhs.
“Everybody talks about his home runs. We couldn’t wait to see him get on base because he stole bases. We called him 8 strides and a slide Dave…this guy was something else.”
During a post-event press conference, Sharon McConnel of Fairbanks recounted how she and her sister were young softball players when Winfield was a Goldpanner.
“We were one of the few Alaska Native, Eskimo players on these Little Leagues here in Fairbanks, and like you said, Fairbanks was a small town.  And you were an inspiration to us. We went to one of the games and we were just so excited to meet you and we still have your autograph on our baseball mitts 52 years later.”  
Winfield’s baseball prowess was not the sole focus of Friday’s event. Winfield, who attended with his wife and adult children, was also recognized for lifelong philanthropic efforts, as highlighted by fellow former Goldpanner and longtime Fairbanks baseball booster James Johnson.
“The first active major league player, baseball player, to start a charitable foundation, primarily for the benefit of children. It remains active today. It’s a privilege.”    
Winfield’s efforts to help others emanate from the bronze statue according to its sculptor: Utah based Gary Lee Price, who says he aimed to depict more than a great athlete.
“You know you’ve got to have the muscles and everything in the right place, but I also think that these things have spirit and spirit comes from the human.”
Price was commissioned by the Tanana Valley Youth Sports Foundation, which took on fundraising for the Winfield statue project spearheaded by board member Lance Parrish. Winfield thanked the Fairbanks community for the experience he had here as a young player and over 50 years later, recognizing his contributions to baseball and community.
“ I love you guys and hopefully you look at me as an honorary Fairbanksan and Alaskan…I appreciate you so much.”
Winfield said he hopes the statue represents something to future generations.
“ Of people that either live here, come through here, play baseball here, if I can inspire them to be better people, contributors to society, then I’m happy.”    
Dave Winfield followed Friday’s statue unveiling by throwing out the first pitch at the annual Midnight Sun baseball game, which the Goldpanners won. The Winfield statue temporarily displayed at the Curling Club Friday, will be permanently installed at a nearby location. ###