SEATTLE -- A lot of things are different right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon accepted the 55th annual Fred Hutch Award in a virtual presentation Wednesday instead of at the organization's usual charity luncheon at T-Mobile Park.

But that didn’t diminish the appreciation and pride over earning one of Major League Baseball’s most-prestigious honors, an award that has gone to such dignitaries as Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Carl Yastrzemski, Willie McCovey, Lou Brock, Johnny Bench and others in the past.

“It’s just mind-boggling to myself and my wife,” Gordon said from his home in Orlando, Fla. “It’s crazy. I’m definitely humbled by this experience. This award is amazing and I’m so happy and blessed to be part of this.”

The Hutch Award was created in 1965 in honor of Fred Hutchinson, a standout Major League player and manager who was from Seattle. Hutchinson died of cancer in '64 and inspired creation of the Seattle-based cancer research center that bears his name.

The award is given each year to a Major Leaguer who best exemplifies the courage and fighting spirit of Hutchinson, both on and off the field.

While this year’s luncheon was canceled, the show went on -- or at least went on-line -- in an hour-long YouTube presentation with co-hosts Rick Rizzs and Mike Gastineau that included former Hutch Award winners Jamie Moyer and Raul Ibanez as well as former Roberto Clemente Award winner Harold Reynolds as guests.

Gordon is the third player to win the Hutch Award while with the Mariners, joining Moyer (2003) and Ibanez ('13). Three other former Mariners, John Olerud in 1993, Omar Vizquel in ’96 and Mike Sweeney in ‘07, received the award while they were playing for other clubs.

Both Moyer and Ibanez noted they played with Gordon’s father, pitcher Tom “Flash” Gordon, during their careers and Gordon talked about watching them as he was growing up and how his own career had now come full circle from the days when all he’d tell them was that he was going to be a big leaguer of his own someday.

But Gordon, 32, has become more than just another player. He’s turned into a leader and mentor and example for others now to follow in his own footsteps.

“When I look at Dee and the things he’s doing, it’s so inspiring,” said Reynolds. “We tried to lay that foundation down back in the day for those who came after us and now we’re watching Dee run with that mantle. It’s easy to write a check, but how are you giving your time?

"Dee gives his time as well as his finances. His heart is unique. There are so many players and athletes who do great things in our game. I’m proud of where baseball is at and the ambassadors we put forward. But for Dee to get this award just shows you he’s at the top of that heap, not only as a player, but as a person.”

Gordon’s “Flash of Hope” program has been instrumental in helping children and families affected by domestic violence and he’s also been active in Food for the Hungry and the Striking Out Poverty campaigns to raise funds to help some of the most underserved communities in the world.

Most recently, he’s hooked up with Jesse’s Rib Shack in his hometown of Orlando, Fla., to give out free meals to people struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

“At the end of the day, people are going to say, ‘What kind of person are you?’ and that’s the thing that shines really bright about Dee,” Reynolds said. “This award isn’t about the stolen base titles or hit titles or different things he’s accomplished in his career. It’s about the people he’s touched.”

The Hutch Luncheon raised $550,000 for cancer research in 2019, but this year’s donations will all need to be made online. Those looking to help the Hutch Center in its cancer research as well as the current push to find a COVID-19 vaccine can go to fredhutch.org/hutchaward/donate.