Freddie Freeman was named the Los Angeles Dodgers’ winner of the 2023 Heart and Hustle Award, which is presented annually by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) to one player on each team who “best embodies the values, spirits and traditions of baseball,” along with factoring in on-field performance.
It’s the first time in Freeman’s career he’s been an individual team winner of the Heart and Hustle Award since its inception in 2005. That inaugural award went to David Eckstein of the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Heart and Hustle Award is the only honor in MLB that is voted on by former players, which is conducted prior to the All-Star break.
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 their passion, desire and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field.
Freeman joins the likes the Trea Turner (2022), Chris Taylor (2021) and Max Muncy (2019) as recent Dodgers to be voted the team’s winner.
Justin Turner, who was the Dodgers’ Heart and Hustle representative in 2017, is up for this year’s award with the Boston Red Sox.
A Heart and Hustle Award was not presented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No Dodgers player has ever been named the overall winner.
The 2023 Heart and Hustle Award winner will be announced in mid-November on MLB Network.
Prior overall winners are 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) and Paul Goldschmidt (2002).
Team winners of 2023 Heart & Hustle Award
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks: Corbin Carroll
Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley
Chicago Cubs: Nico Hoerner
Cincinnati Reds: TJ Friedl
Colorado Rockies: Elias Díaz
Los Angeles Dodgers: Freddie Freeman
Miami Marlins: Luis Arraez
Milwaukee Brewers: Christian Yelich
New York Mets: Brandon Nimmo
Philadelphia Phillies: Garrett Stubbs
Pittsburgh Pirates: David Bednar
San Diego Padres: Ha-Seong Kim
San Francisco Giants: LaMonte Wade Jr.
St. Louis Cardinals: Brendan Donovan
Washington Nationals: Lane Thomas
American League
Baltimore Orioles: Anthony Santander
Boston Red Sox: Justin Turner
Chicago White Sox: Andrew Benintendi
Cleveland Guardians: José Ramírez
Detroit Tigers: Matt Vierling
Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker
Kansas City Royals: Bobby Witt Jr.
Los Angeles Angels: Zach Neto
Minnesota Twins: Pablo López
New York Yankees: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Oakland Athletics: Carlos Pérez
Seattle Mariners: J.P. Crawford
Tampa Bay Rays: Randy Arozarena
Texas Rangers: Marcus Semien
Toronto Blue Jays: Daulton Varsho
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