Colorado Springs Colo. - The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) is proud to announce Kansas City Royals infielder Bobby Witt Jr. as the overall winner of the 20th Annual Heart and Hustle Award, marking his second consecutive year receiving this honor. This prestigious award recognizes active players who exemplify a true passion for the game of baseball and embody its core values, spirit and traditions.
Witt becomes the first player since Craig Biggio (2006–07) to win back-to-back Overall Heart and Hustle Awards.
At just 25 years old, Witt has established himself as a standout member of the Royals organization and is now a four-time recipient of the team’s Heart and Hustle Award. His 2025 season included 182 hits, 23 home runs, a second All-Star selection, and both Gold Glove and Silver Slugger honors.
His influence extends beyond his on-field accomplishments. Now a respected leader in the clubhouse, he continues to set the standard with his work ethic, resilience and drive. Off the field, he brings the same dedication by championing programs that support youth development and other initiatives. From participating in charity events to lending his time to youth baseball camps, Witt consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to giving back and showcasing the core mission of the MLBPAA.
The MLBPAA formed 30 committees comprised of Alumni players with established relationships to each team. Fans and all MLBPAA former and current player members voted to select the final winner from 30 team winners. Witt joins a distinguished list of past winners who have demonstrated unparalleled passion and effort in their careers.
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), Josh Harrison (2014), Anthony Rizzo (2015), Todd Frazier (2016), Brett Gardner (2017), Mookie Betts (2018), Howie Kendrick (2019), Ozzie Albies (2021), Paul Goldschmidt (2022), Marcus Semien (2023) and Bobby Witt (2024). No award was presented in 2020.
For more information regarding the Heart and Hustle Award, please contact Kendall Meisner by e-mail at Kendall@MLBPAA.com or by calling (719) 477-1870, ext. 201.
To learn more about the MLBPAA, please visit www.baseballalumni.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@MLBPAA).