Chris Taylor was named the Los Angeles Dodgers’ winner of the 2021 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.
It’s the only MLB award that is voted on by former players, with balloting conducted prior to the All-Star break. Recent Dodgers winners include Max Muncy (2019), Matt Kemp (2018), Justin Turner (2017), Chase Utley (2016) and Joc Pederson (2015).
Though he is now a member of the Dodgers, Trea Turner was a recipient as well for his performance with the Washington Nationals this season.
While each club has a player who is recognized, an overall winner will be announced in November. The MLBPAA began presenting the Heart & Hustle Award annually in 2005, but there was not a recipient last season due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Previous overall winners include Howie Kendrick (2019), Mookie Betts (2018), Mike Trout (2012) and Craig Biggio (2006, 2007). A Dodgers player has never won the overall Heart & Hustle Award.
Taylor is in the midst of another terrific season with L.A., which began again filling a super utility role. However, Corey Seager’s hand fracture then required Taylor to take on an everyday role at shortstop, and he also performed well in the leadoff spot of the lineup while Mookie Betts was unavailable. Taylor earned a first career All-Star Game selection this year as well.
“He’s invaluable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said of Taylor, who was named National League Player of the Week for July 19-25.
“Having your regular players out, and for him to step up, play a premium defensive position and have a huge day offensively, we needed every bit of it. That’s why I just think so highly of the person and the player. Led us to a series win.”
Individual team winners of 2021 Heart & Hustle Award
American League
Cedric Mullins (Baltimore Orioles)
Rafael Devers (Boston Red Sox)
Tim Anderson (Chicago White Sox)
José Ramírez (Cleveland Indians)
Robbie Grossman (Detroit Tigers)
Jose Altuve (Houston Astros)
Salvador Pérez (Kansas City Royals)
David Fletcher (Los Angeles Angels)
Jorge Polanco (Minnesota Twins)
Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
Matt Olson (Oakland Athletics)
Mitch Haniger (Seattle Mariners)
Joey Wendle (Tampa Bay Rays)
Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Texas Rangers)
Marcus Semien (Toronto Blue Jays)
National League
Eduardo Escobar (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Ozzie Albies (Atlanta Braves)
Javier Báez (Chicago Cubs)
Nick Castellanos (Cincinnati Reds)
Ryan McMahon (Colorado Rockies)
Chris Taylor (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Miguel Rojas (Miami Marlins)
Willy Adames (Milwaukee Brewers)
Kevin Pillar (New York Mets)
Ronald Torreyes (Philadelphia Phillies)
Adam Frazier (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Jake Cronenworth (San Diego Padres)
Brandon Crawford (San Francisco Giants)
Tommy Edman (St. Louis Cardinals)
Trea Turner (Washington Nationals)
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