2012 Heart & Hustle Award winners announced

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is pleased to announce the 30 preliminary winners of the 2012 Heart & 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 Craig Biggio (2006, 2007), Grady Sizemore (2008), Albert Pujols (2009), Roy Halladay (2010) and Torii Hunter (2011).

The final winner will be announced Nov. 13, 2012, at the 13th 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 6,500 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.

The 30 individual team winners are as follows:

American League
Baltimore Orioles: Adam Jones
Boston Red Sox: Dustin Pedroia
Chicago White Sox: Alex Rios
Cleveland Indians: Jason Kipnis
Detroit Tigers: Austin Jackson
Kansas City Royals: Jeff Francoeur
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Mike Trout
Minnesota Twins: Jamey Carroll
New York Yankees: Curtis Granderson
Oakland Athletics: Jonny Gomes
Seattle Mariners: Munenori Kawasaki
Tampa Bay Rays: Ben Zobrist
Texas Rangers: David Murphy
Toronto Blue Jays: Edwin Encarnacion

National League
Arizona Diamondbacks: Willie Bloomquist
Atlanta Braves: Martin Prado
Chicago Cubs: Darwin Barney
Cincinnati Reds: Chris Heisey
Colorado Rockies: Michael Cuddyer
Houston Astros: Jose Altuve
Los Angeles Dodgers: Jerry Hairston
Miami Marlins: Jose Reyes
Milwaukee Brewers: Corey Hart
New York Mets: David Wright
Philadelphia Phillies: Carlos Ruiz
Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew McCutchen
San Diego Padres: Nick Hundley
San Francisco Giants: Melky Cabrera
St. Louis Cardinals: David Freese
Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper

For more information regarding the Heart & Hustle Award, please contact Nikki Warner, public relations coordinator, by email at [email protected] or by calling (719) 477-1870, ext. 105.

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