Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association officially named the preliminary recipients of the 2021 Heart and Hustle Award from each team on Tuesday afternoon.
The New York Mets technically have two representatives on the list in their organization. Outfielder Kevin Pillar was named the winner for the Mets and recently acquired shortstop Javier Baez was selected for his former team, the Chicago Cubs.
The Heart and Hustle Award is the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players.
This award is presented to the player who shows an overall passion for both the game of baseball and for the player that best embodies the values, spirit, and tradition of the game both on and off the field.
One player from each Major League team is chosen based on their passion, desire, and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field. At the end of the season, alumni and active players will vote to select the final winner.
After the award wasn’t presented during the 2020 season due to the pandemic, the most recent winner was Washington Nationals second baseman Howie Kendrick in 2019. Second baseman Jeff McNeil was the Mets’ winner for that season.
Pillar and Baez join players such as Miguel Rojas, Trea Turner, Ozzie Albies, Aaron Judge, Nick Castellanos, Adam Frazier, and Chris Taylor amongst others in taking home this award for the 2021 season.
Pillar’s production has fallen off a bit this season, but he has been an absolute warrior and a leader on this ball club. Earlier in the season, he returned just two weeks after taking a 94 MPH fastball square to the face and suffering multiple nasal fractures.
“My parents were both hard-working people, and showed up to work every single day. They expect the same out of me and my brother. I give them a lot of credit. It’s just something that through my journey I’ve continued to lean on,” Pillar said Tuesday morning on MLB Central.
While Mets fans still haven’t seen much of Javy Baez yet, he’s always been a high-energy and fearless ballplayer throughout his career. As he’s shown in his first few games as a Met, he plays the game hard and the right way every single day.
Baez will undoubtedly be a tremendous addition to this organization both on and off the field. Congratulations to both him, Pillar, and all the other winners on a well-deserved honor.
