Kansas City Royals All-Star Bobby Witt Jr. was named the overall winner of the 2025 Heart & 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.
Witt is just the second player to ever receive the award in back-to-back seasons, joining Craig Biggio (2006–2007). The Heart and Hustle Award was first presented in 2005 and has been given out annually every year with the exception of 2020.
Witt is a four-time recipient of the Royals’ Heart & Hustle Award.
The overall winner was selected by former and active players, in addition to fans constituting 5% of the total voting.
Andy Pages was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recipient of this year’s team Heart and Hustle Award. The Dodgers are yet to have an MLB winner of the award.
Witt appeared in 157 games this past season and hit .295/.351/.501 with 47 doubles, six triples, 23 home runs and 88 RBI while adding 38 stolen bases. Witt led the Majors with 184 hits and in doubles as well. This year marked a second consecutive season he led all players in total hits after he did so with 211 in 2024.
The 25-year-old has played at least 150 games each season since making his MLB debut with the Royals in 2022. Witt set a career high with 161 games played in 2024, which led the American League.
The 2025 Heart & Hustle Award is added onto Witt also winning both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger for the second year in a row.
All-time Heart and Hustle Award winners
2005: David Eckstein
2006: Craig Biggio
2007: Craig Biggio
2008: Grady Sizemore
2009: Albert Pujols
2010: Roy Halladay
2011: Torii Hunter
2012: Mike Trout
2013: Dustin Pedroia
2014: Josh Harrison
2015: Anthony Rizzo
2016: Todd Frazier
2017: Brett Gardner
2018: Mookie Betts
2019: Howie Kendrick
2020: N/A due to pandemic
2021: Ozzie Albies
2022: Paul Goldschmidt
2023: Marcus Semien
2024: Bobby Witt Jr.
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