MLBPAA Honors Chase Utley with Phillies Heart and Hustle Award
One player from each MLB team wins respected honor voted on by Alumni players
WHO: Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley winner of Heart and Hustle Award. A five-time Heart and Hustle Award winner, Utley started the Utley Foundation, which works to increase awareness for the epidemic of animal cruelty. The award is being presented by Alumni Major Leaguer Marty Bystrom, member of the 1980 Phillies World Series championship team. During his six-year playing career, Bystrom spent time with the Phillies and Yankees, compiling a record of 29-26.
WHAT: The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce the 30 preliminary winners of the 2014 Heart and Hustle Award. This esteemed award honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and tradition of the game.
The MLBPAA formed 30 committees, comprised of Alumni players with established relationships to each team. One player from each Major League team is chosen by the committees based on the passion desire and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field. As the season draws to a close, fans, all alumni and active players will vote to select the final winner from the 30 team winners. The previous overall winners are David Eckstein (2005), Craig Biggio (2006, 2007), Grady Sizemore (2008), Albert Pujols (2009), Roy Halladay (2010), Torii Hunter (2011), Mike Trout (2012) and Dustin Pedroia (2013).
The final winner will be announced Tuesday, November 18th, 2014 at the 15th annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City. This event is the primary fundraiser for the series of free Legends for Youth Baseball Clinics. These clinics impact more than 15,000 children each year, allowing them the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from players who have left a lasting impact on the game of baseball. To purchase tickets to this event honoring Clint Hurdle and Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, email [email protected].
For more information about the MLBPAA, visit www.baseballalumni.com or follow the MLBPAA on Facebook and Twitter @MLBPAA. The official hashtag for this award is #HeartandHustle.
About the MLBPAA
The MLBPAA was founded in 1982 with the mission of promoting baseball, raising money for charity, inspiring and educating youth through positive sport images, and protecting the dignity of the game through its Alumni players. The MLBPAA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO with a membership of more than 6,900, of which approximately 5,300 are Alumni and active players. Alumni players find the MLBPAA to be a vital tool to become involved in charity and community philanthropy.
