The Heart and Hustle Award has recognized players who embody baseball’s spirit for a decade now.
Former players and fans vote on the honor, selecting one nominee from each of the 30 major league teams.
The award celebrates those who combine on-field effort with off-field character, highlighting passion and respect for the game’s traditions.
On the Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast, Joe Noga and Paul Hoynes addressed what they consider an ongoing oversight in the award’s history.
A listener proposed creating a new honor specifically for José Ramírez, but Noga argued the Heart and Hustle Award already represents everything the Guardians star brings to baseball.
The problem is that Ramírez has never actually won it despite multiple nominations.
“It’s 10 years old now. It’s called the Heart and Hustle Award, and José has been the Guardians nominee for that award pretty much since it’s existed. He hasn’t won it yet, and it’s a complete outrage,” Noga declared on the podcast. “This is the award that sort of captures what Ramírez is all about.”
Ramírez posted one of the league’s highest batting averages in 2025 while leading the Guardians in RBIs.
His relentless hustle and determination extend beyond statistics, setting the tone throughout Cleveland’s clubhouse and reinforcing a culture built on grit.
Multiple All-Star appearances and consistent leadership have strengthened his credentials, yet competition across 30 teams has prevented him from claiming the award.
His repeated nominations reflect a sustained commitment to the values the award represents.
The recognition serves as motivation to continue inspiring younger players within Cleveland’s organization, even as the absence of a win stands out as increasingly puzzling given his decade-long consistency.
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