Tatís joins Báez, Lindor, Devers as Heart and Hustle Award winners
By Tab Bamford
Fernando Tatís Jr. didn’t earn a spot on the NL All-Star team or the Home Run Derby in Cleveland last week, but the San Diego Padres’ rookie phenom definitely has been recognized for the way he plays the game.
He was one of the 30 preliminary team winners that the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA) announced for the 2019 Heart and Hustle Awards.
The Heart and Hustle Awards are voted on by former players. The award goes to players “who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game.”
A third of the recipient were Latinos; Tatís was the only rookie. Here are the 10 Latinos who were honored.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Eduardo Escobar
Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers
Chicago Cubs: Javier Báez
Cincinnati Reds: José Iglesias
Cleveland Indians: Francisco Lindor
Miami Marlins: Miguel Rojas
San Diego Padres: Fernando Tatís, Jr.
San Francisco Giants: Pablo Sandoval
Tampa Bay Rays: Avisaíl García
Toronto Blue Jays: Freddy Galvis
The overall winner will be announced Nov. 7, 2019 at the 20th annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City.
The 30 individual team winners are as follows:
American League
Baltimore Orioles, Trey Mancini, Boston Red Sox, Rafael Devers, Chicago White Sox, James McCann, Cleveland Indians, Francisco Lindor, Detroit Tigers, Niko Goodrum, Houston Astros, Jake Marisnick, Kansas City Royals, Whit Merrifield, Los Angeles Angels, David Fletcher, Minnesota Twins, Byron Buxton, New York Yankees, DJ LeMahieu, Oakland Athletics, Marcus Semien, Seattle Mariners, Mitch Haniger, Tampa Bay Rays, Avisaíl García, Texas Rangers, Hunter Pence, Toronto Blue Jays, Freddy Galvis.
National League
Arizona Diamondbacks, Eduardo Escobar, Atlanta Braves, Nick Markakis, Chicago Cubs, Javier Báez, Cincinnati Reds, José Iglesias, Colorado Rockies, Tony Wolters, Los Angeles Dodgers, Max Muncy, Miami Marlins, Miguel Rojas, Milwaukee Brewers, Lorenzo Cain, New York Mets, Jeff McNeil, Philadelphia Phillies, J.T. Realmuto, Pittsburgh Pirates, Josh Bell, San Diego Padres, Fernando Tatís, Jr., San Francisco Giants, Pablo Sandoval, St. Louis Cardinals, Paul DeJong, Washington Nationals, Howie Kendrick.