Veteran second baseman Chase Utley was named the Los Angeles Dodgers’ winner for the Heart & Hustle Award. Every year the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) gives out the Award to one player on each team who “best embodies the values, spirits and traditions of baseball,” and also performs well on the field.
One player from the 30 nominees is then selected as the winner of the MLB Heart & Hustle Award. The final winner will be selected by fans, alumni and active players, and announced Nov. 15, 2016 at the 17th annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York.
Utley has enjoyed a resurgence this season after re-signing with the Dodgers on a one-year contract during the offseason. He’s been the primary leadoff man for Los Angeles, hitting .260/.343/.375 with five home runs, 27 RBIs and 45 runs scored in 80 games.
Utley has also been a leader on and off the field for the second-place Dodgers, serving as a mentor to Corey Seager.
The MLBPAA began giving out the Heart & Hustle Award in 2005. Past Dodgers nominees include Joc Pederson (2015), Dee Gordon (2014), Nick Punto (2013), Jerry Hairston Jr. (2012), Jamey Carroll (2011), Matt Kemp (2010), Russell Martin (2007-09) and Eric Gagne (2006).
Utley looks to become the first Dodger to win the award, although he faces stiff competition in reigning winner Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco’s Brandon Crawford, Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt and Boston’s Dustin Pedroia, among others. Pedroia won the award in 2013.
