The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – Friday night’s final home game of the 2026 season was about more than baseball for the Lumberjacks. Before first pitch, the organization paused to honor two men whose legacies continue to shape both the franchise and the community — former team owner Tommy Garten and former Lumberjacks player and West Virginia State Trooper Eric Workman.
The evening included the presentation of the 2026 Eric Workman Award, which was presented to Lumberjacks infielder Darrius Brown.
Workman’s family, members of the Hammond family, the West Virginia State Police, the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office and Workman’s former baseball coach were on hand for the ceremony.
Workman wore a Lumberjacks uniform during his playing days before beginning a career in law enforcement. He was later killed in the line of duty while serving as a West Virginia State Trooper. The annual award honors his character, service and commitment both on and off the field.
The organization also remembered Tommy Garten, whose vision helped transform the Lumberjacks into one of the Valley Baseball League’s most recognized community organizations.
Garten became owner of the Lumberjacks in 2011 and quickly established a culture that extended far beyond the baseball diamond. He believed in bringing talented young players to Covington while making them feel like members of the community.
To Garten, the players were never just spending a summer in Covington. They became part of the Lumberjacks family, a tradition that continues today through his sons, Matt and Dizzy Garten.
His belief that baseball should unite a community remains one of his lasting legacies. Because of Garten’s vision, the Covington Lumberjacks remain the only team in the Valley Baseball League to offer free admission to every home game, ensuring families can enjoy summer baseball together without cost.
The Lumberjacks have become one of the many examples of Garten’s commitment to Covington and his belief in investing in the next generation through athletics and community involvement.
As the 2026 home schedule came to a close, Friday night’s ceremonies served as a reminder that while wins and losses eventually fade, the impact made by people like Eric Workman and Tommy Garten continues to be felt throughout the Lumberjacks organization and the Alleghany Highlands.
