Heart and Hustle

 Have you ever heard of the Heart and Hustle Award? 

This award, given to the player who demonstrates a passion for the game and embodies values, spirit and tradition of the game of baseball, was instituted by the Major League Baseball Alumni Association in 2005. The MLBPAA creates 30 committees made up of former players with connections to each team. Those committees nominate one player based on their passion, work ethic and desire both on and off the field. At the end of the season, fans (I've never voted!), alumni and current players vote. 

I can honestly say that I'd never heard of this award until one of my favorite World Series Champion Texas Rangers (It never gets old saying that!), Marcus Semien, won the award for the 2023 season. 

At a time when athletes seem to be focused on "me" instead of team, it's nice to have players recognized who go about playing the game the right way. Semien did it the right way. He set an MLB record of 835 plate appearances in 2023. He hit .276 in the regular season with 40 doubles, 29 home runs and 100 RBIs. In the playoffs, he started off cold, but heated up to have 2 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs driving in 10 RBIs. Semien started all 179 games at second base. There's no doubt that Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia carried the biggest offensive load this year, but Marcus Semien was the steadying force for this team.

Here are the previous winners and their cards:

                2022                                                         2021

        Paul Goldschmidt                                      Ozzie Albies

     

***2020 was lost due to COVID.*** 

                       2019                                             2018

                Howie Kendrick                             Mookie Betts

    

                         2017                                              2016

                 Brett Gardner                               Todd Frazier             

    

 

                           2015                                            2014

                     Anthony Rizzo                           Josh Harrison

    

                2013                                                       2012

            Dustin Pedroia                                        Mike Trout

    

                            2011                                            2010

                    Torii Hunter                                 Roy Halladay

    

                       2009                                                         2008

                   Albert Pujols                                    Grady Sizemore 

    

                              2007                                         2006

                      Craig Biggio                              Craig Biggio

    

2005

David Eckstein

  

Tenacious, relentless effort, energetic, playing with passion and a phenomenal teammate are just some of the words used to describe these players. Other words that describe these players are All-Star, Silver Slugger winner, MVP and World Series Champion. All great words to describe these players, but there's more. 

Each of these players is well known for giving back to their communities and beyond. Supporting their team charities, creating their own foundations that support cancer patients and their families, surviving members of military families, numerous youth organizations, baseball clinics, etc...the list goes on. 

I know that every time I see a story about my Rangers in the community giving back, I see Marcus Semien there. These are the guys that live by example. The ones that you want you kids to emulate. These are the heroes of the game. 

Since I've found out about this award I've decided that I'm going to collect the Topps card for each winner in the year they won. That's one of the best thing about collecting; you get to collect what you want! All I have to do now is find a place to display them.

Peace, 

Michael 

Isaiah 40:31