Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon has been named the team's 2015 Heart and Hustle Award winner, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association announced Tuesday. Gordon will be recognized prior to an upcoming home game.
The 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 Heart and Hustle Award is the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players.
"The professionalism, dedication and sacrifice he demonstrates on a daily basis represents the way baseball should be played and how the Kansas City Royals expect to be represented," Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu said.
Gordon is on the disabled list with a severe groin strain he suffered shortly before the All-Star break. He is expected to be out for about two months.
Gordon had been voted a starter on the American League All-Star team and was batting .279 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs at the time of his injury. He has won Gold Gloves each of the last four seasons and was named the league's Platinum Glove winner in 2014.
The MLBPAA formed 30 committees, each composed of alumni players with established relationships to each team. One player from each major league team is chosen by the committees based on their 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), Dustin Pedroia (2013) and Josh Harrison (2014).
The final winner will be announced Nov. 10 at the 16th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City. This event is the primary fund-raiser for the series of free Legends for Youth Baseball Clinics.
