MLBPAA Honors Brett Gardner with Yankees Heart and Hustle Award
One player from each MLB team wins respected honor voted on by Alumni players
WHO: New York Yankees center fielder Brett Gardner winner of Heart and Hustle Award. Gardner won the 2010 Heart and Hustle Award for the Yankees as well. The award is being presented by Alumni Major Leaguer Tony Peña, current bench coach for the Yankees. During his 18 year playing career, Peña was a five time All-Star and four time Gold Glove award winner. After finishing his playing career, he won the American League Manager of the Year honors in 2003, and was a World Series champion with the Yankees in 2009.
WHAT: The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce the 30 preliminary winners of the 2013 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. These players will be recognized prior to an upcoming home game. 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), and Mike Trout (2012).
The final winner will be announced Tuesday, November 19, 2013 at the 14th 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 Bobby Richardson and Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, email postoffice@mlbpaa.com.
For more information about the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (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
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 6,400, 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.
WHEN: Pre-game presentation on Friday, August 9th, 2013
WHERE: Yankee Stadium, One East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451
Contact: Nikki Warner, MLBPAA (719) 477-1870 x. 105 / nikki@mlbpaa.com
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