Harold Capote Fernandez
Five Venezuelans appear among the finalists for the annual Heart and Hustle award, granted by the Major League Baseball Former Players Association (MLBPAA); These Creoles are Luis Arráez, José Altuve, Eugenio Suárez, Willson Contreras and Wilmer Flores.
Congratulations to “La Regadera” @Arraez_21 for being named the winner of #TheTwins Of the prize #HeartandHustle 2022! pic.twitter.com/3Wy5bYchnM
– The Twins (@twinsbeisbol) August 4, 2022
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They are in an extensive list made up of their colleagues Austin Hays, Rafael Devers, José Abreu, José Ramírez, Eric Haase, Bobby Witt Jr., Jared Walsh, José Trevino, Chad Pinder, Manuel Margot, Adolis García, Matt Chapman, Daulton Varsho, Dansby Swanson, Kyle Farmer, Connor Joe, Trea Turner, Jon Berti, Jace Peterson, Brandon Nimmo, Rhys Hoskins, Bryan Reynolds, Jake Cronenworth, Paul Goldschmidt, and Josh Bell.
According to information found on the mlb.com portal, for the selection process the MLBPAA formed 30 committees, made up of former players with established relationships with each team. These committees select a player from each Major League team based on their demonstrated passion, desire and work ethic both on and off the field.
Congratulations to Jose Altuve for being our award winner! #HeartAndHustle 2022! ðŸ’#OnAnotherLevel pic.twitter.com/HvSvFThO8R
— Houston Astros (@LosAstros) August 4, 2022
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As the end of the season approaches, all alumni and active players will vote to choose the final winner from among the 30 winning casts. Voting is cast before the All-Star Game, results will be announced, and the overall winner will be posted in mid-November on MLB Network.
For his passion and big heart, we congratulate Eugenio Suarez who was named our award winner! #HeartandHustle 2022! 💠pic.twitter.com/m1waeFnZ17
— Seattle Mariners (@LosMarineros) August 4, 2022
Since its creation in 2005, several prestigious players have received this recognition, including two who already have a niche in the Hall of Fame:
Congratulations to Wilmer Flores for being named the winner of the #SFGiants of the 2022 Heart & Hustle Award! pic.twitter.com/Ur5chAySah
— SF Giants (@SFGigantes) August 4, 2022
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David 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), and Ozzie Albies (2021). Motivated by the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020 it was not delivered.