Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. joins elite company with this award (he’s piling them up)
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Bobby Witt Jr. won the 2025 Heart & Hustle Award for a second straight season.
- MLBPAA voters honor players who demonstrate passion, spirit and tradition.
- Witt led MLB in hits and doubles, won Gold/Platinum Glove, aims 2026 return.
Bobby Witt Jr. has earned baseball’s Heart & Hustle Award for the second consecutive season.
Witt, 25, is the second player to receive the honor twice, joining Hall of Famer Craig Biggio — who won in 2006 and 2007 — with that distinction.
The Heart & Hustle Award is handed out by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. It was created in 2005 and is awarded annually through a vote among alumni of the majors and active big-league players.
Witt continues to live up to the rich tradition of the award. The MLBPAA bestows the honor to a player who demonstrates passion for the game and best embodies its values, spirit and traditions.
This season, Witt led the league in hits and doubles. He posted a .295 batting average with 23 home runs and 88 RBIs. Additionally, he won a Gold Glove (and later a Platinum Glove) and Silver Slugger Award and was recognized as first-team All-MLB.
Witt has been a leader of the Royals’ offense since arriving at the big-league level in 2022. He will return for his fifth MLB season in 2026 looking to get the organization back to the postseason.
