Hernandez, McGehee steer Players Choice Award grants to support charitable causes

Felix Hernandez and Casey McGehee have selected charitable causes close to their hearts to receive the $20,000 Players Trust grants that come along with their 2014 Players Choice Awards as AL Outstanding Pitcher and the NL Comeback Player of the Year, respectively.

Hernandez, a five-time All-Star who led the AL with a 2.14 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in 2014, chose Make-A-Wish of Alaska and Washington to be the recipient of his grant. He received his Players Choice Award from teammate and MLBPA player representative Charlie Furbush, before the Mariners' game on April 17.

Founded in 1986, the Alaska and Washington Make-A-Wish Chapter has granted more than 5,600 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

McGehee, who in 2014 re-emerged after a year in Japan to bat .287 with four homers and 76 RBIs for the Marlins, selected two organizations in Jackson, Tenn., his offseason home. After signing with the Giants in the offseason, McGehee received his Players Choice Award on May 1 from teammate and MLBPA player representative Matt Cain during a pregame ceremony.

The third baseman directed part of his grant to support a range of programs at the Therapy and Learning Center, a part of the Ayers Children's Medical Center that provides adult day services, child care resource and referrals, pediatric therapy services and additional programs for children and adults with special needs.

McGehee also donated funds from his grant to The Solus Foundation for Fitness and Well-Being, Inc.. which was created by Solus Performance Training to positively affect kids' lives by mentoring through fitness.

Each year, Major Leaguers recognize the achievements of their peers through the Players Trust's Players Choice Awards program. To date, the Players Trust has recognized the outstanding performances of Players Choice Award winners by contributing more than $3.8 million to charities around the world on behalf of each award winner.

To read more about the 2014 Players Choice Awards winners click HERE.