Jake Marisnick Wins Astros' 'Heart and Hustle' Award Right After Railroading Jonathan Lucroy
By Parker White
One player from all 30 MLB teams is nominated for the Heart and Hustle Award every year, which is given to the player who “demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.”
Okay, that's great. So, why did Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick receive the nomination after destroying Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy?
Jake Marisnick won the Astros’ Heart and Hustle Award, given to one player from each team who “demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 16, 2019
While I don't believe Marisnick purposefully tried to hurt Lucroy, he has received a two-game suspension from the league for his actions. He was certainly hustling and trying to score, but does he embody "the values, spirit and traditions of the game" after that hit?
Astros' Jake Marisnick wins MLBPA's Heart and Hustle Award https://t.co/mAEbwSpoYT
— Chronicle Astros (@ChronAstros) July 16, 2019
Alex Bregman was Houston's nominee last year, and Hall of Famer Craig Biggio won the award in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007. Those are two premier players in Astros history. I'm not sure Marisnick should even be mentioned with those two for this award, especially after this most recent incident.