Billy Butler became just the fourth Royal in history to accept the Hutch Award during a ceremony on Wednesday in Seattle.
A staple in baseball circles, the Hutch Award annually honors the major-league player who best exemplifies "the honor, courage and dedication" of Seattle's Fred Hutchinson, a former major-league pitcher and manager. Hutchinson died of lung cancer at age 45, and his brother soon created a cancer research center in his name. George Brett won the award in 1980, while Dennis Leonard (1986) and Mike Sweeney (2007) also took home the honor. Mark Teahen won the award following the 2009 season, but he was traded to the White Sox before accepting the award. Butler toured the cancer research center before taking part in a ceremony, which included presenter Cal Ripken, at Safeco Field. The list of past winners also includes Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and 10 other Hall of Famers. "After reading up on (the award) and understanding it and talking to Mike, it's obviously quite an honor," Butler told the Seattle Times. "It's very humbling to understand what award I've won, because only one player wins each year. Seeing the list of people who won, frankly, I don't think I belong with them."Read more Royals
Posted on Thu, Feb. 02, 2012 02:14 PM
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Ball Star | Billy Butler collects Hutch Award
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