Heart and Hustle Award
The Alumni Association created the Heart & Hustle Award in 2005, voted on by Alumni Major League players and presented annually to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit, and traditions of the game.
2009 Heart and Hustle Award
The 2009 Heart and Hustle Award will be presented at the Legends for Youth Dinner on Nov. 6 in New York. This year will mark the fifth time the MLBPAA has given this award. Each team selects a recipient before the overall winner is announced. The team finalists are listed below.
- 2009 National League Finalists
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Mark Reynolds
- Atlanta Braves: Brian McCann
- Chicago Cubs: Derrek Lee
- Cincinnati Reds: Adam Rosales
- Colorado Rockies: Clint Barmes
- Florida Marlins: John Baker
- Houston Astros: Hunter Pence
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Russell Martin
- Milwaukee Brewers: Mike Cameron
- New York Mets: David Wright
- Philadelphia Phillies: Chase Utley
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Ryan Doumit
- San Diego Padres: David Eckstein
- San Francisco Giants: Pablo Sandoval
- St. Louis Cardinals: Albert Pujols
- Washington Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman WATCH
- 2009 American League Finalists
- Baltimore Orioles: Nick Markakis
- Boston Red Sox: Jacoby Ellsbury
- Chicago White Sox: Mark Buehrle
- Cleveland Indians: Grady Sizemore
- Detroit Tigers: Brandon Inge
- Kansas City Royals: Mark Teahen
- Los Angeles Angels: Torii Hunter
- Minnesota Twins: Joe Mauer
- New York Yankees: Nick Swisher
- Oakland Athletics: Jack Cust
- Seattle Mariners: Jose Lopez
- Tampa Bay Devil Rays: Evan Longoria
- Texas Rangers: Michael Young
- Toronto Blue Jays: Rob Barajas
2008 Heart and Hustle Award
Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore was the fourth recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award when Orestes Destrade announced him as the winner at the Legends for Youth Dinner on Nov. 7, 2008, in New York. Sizemore, who turned 26 in August 2008, set career highs in doubles (39), home runs (38), RBIs (90), stolen bases (38) and bases on balls (98) in 2008 and played defense good enough to earn him his second straight Gold Glove Award. Sizemore finished 10th in the MVP voting, despite his team finishing in third place, won his first Silver Slugger and was named an All-Star for the third time. All of those astounding feats combined with his on-field passion and energy made Sizemore a great choice as the fourth award winner.
- Past Heart and Hustle Award Winners
- 2008 — Grady Sizemore
- 2007 — Craig Biggio
- 2006 — Craig Biggio
- 2005 — David Eckstein
For more information regarding the Heart and Hustle Award, please contact Lance M. James by e-mail at lmj@mlbpaa.com or by calling 719-477-1870 ext. 12.