Bobby Witt Jr. becomes the first three-time Heart & Hustle winner

For nearly two decades, Craig Biggio was the only player to win the overall Heart & Hustle Award twice. Bobby Witt Jr. matched him last year. On Friday, the Royals shortstop became the first player to win it three times, taking the award for a third straight season.

Biggio won in 2006 and 2007 with Houston. Witt’s run began in 2024, and his third winning season included 45 stolen bases in 143 games for Kansas City. He hit .281 with 33 doubles and 18 home runs. The alumni association also pointed to Witt’s work with youth baseball clinics in Kansas City and his support for ALS awareness.

How 30 team winners become one

A committee of former players with ties to each club chooses its team winner. Fans and current and former players then vote on the overall honor. Witt has won Kansas City’s team award four times and the overall award three times.

Paul Goldschmidt represented the Yankees on this year’s ballot. He has won the overall award himself, in 2022 with St. Louis. Since the award began in 2005, Biggio and Witt are the only players to have won it more than once.