Justin Turner was named the Los Angeles Dodgers’ recipient of the 2017 Heart & Hustle Award on Tuesday. Chase Utley was the team’s winner last season.
Each year year the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) presents the Award to one player on each team who “best embodies the values, spirits and traditions of baseball,” and also excels on the field.
One player from the 30 nominees is then selected as the annual winner of the MLB Heart & Hustle Award. The final winner will be selected by fans, alumni and active players, and announced Nov. 14, 2017 at the 18th annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York.
The event is the primary fundraiser for the series of free Legends for Youth Baseball Clinics.
Turner is on the verge of logging the required number of plate appearances to rank among the league leaders in offensive statistics. He enters play Tuesday batting .374/.469/.584 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs, 39 RBI, a .445 wOBA and 180 wRC+ in 68 games.
Once eligible, Turner will lead the Majors in batting average and slugging percentage, while ranking second overall and first in the National League with a 1.053 on-base plus slugging.
In addition to emerging as an MVP candidate, Turner is equally as instrumental within the Los Angeles community and beyond. He founded the Justin Turner Foundation and works regularly with the local Dream Center to provide for those in need.
The MLBPAA began presenting the Heart & Hustle Award in 2005. In addition to Utley, 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).
Turner would become the Dodgers’ first player to win the award. He was the team’s nominee for the 2016 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, which went to New York Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson.
