Teahen wins Hutch Award

Written by: Jerry Milani on 30th November 2009

Teahen wins Hutch Award | read this item

Things are so bad in Kansas City that even when a Royal wins an award, it’s not a Royal who wins the award.

Mark Teahen, third baseman and outfielder for K.C. the past five years, was today named the winner of the prestigious Hutch Award, presented annually to the Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of baseball great Fred Hutchinson, both on and off the field.

Teahen was traded to the Chicago White Sox on Nov. 5, so when the 28-year-old visits children at the Hutchinson Center’s Hutch School in Seattle and receives his award at Safeco Field on Jan. 27, 2010, he’ll be representing his new club. Legendary pitcher and 1989 Hutch Award winner Dave Dravecky will be the featured speaker at the luncheon, which raises funds for cancer research.

But more importantly, he’ll be representing the many MLB players who give freely of their time and resources to benefit others. For nearly the entirety of his tenure with the Royals, Teahen served as a key spokesman and fundraiser for the YMCA Challenger Baseball program, a division of Little League Baseball that gives children with physical or mental challenges the opportunity to play on specially designed baseball fields. In addition, he has donated time to the Royals AbilityCAMP, an interactive baseball camp for kids with disabilities, and he has supported other causes and foundations focusing on the well-being of children.

HutchAwardLogo “I am extremely excited to accept the Hutch Award, and I am humbled to be added to the prestigious list of former recipients,” Teahen said. “I am honored and am thankful for all of my friends and family who help me accomplish the many successes I’ve been fortunate to achieve.”

Teahen said the Hutch Award and its connection with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center mean even more to him because this year he witnessed his mother’s successful battle with breast cancer.

The Hutchinson Center was founded by Fred’s brother Bill, a prominent Seattle surgeon, after Fred died of cancer at age 45. The Hutch Award was established in 1965 and was first given to Mickey Mantle. Other Hutch Award winners have included 2008 recipient Jon Lester, Mike Sweeney, Mark Loretta, Craig Biggio, Jamie Moyer, Willie McCovey, Willie Stargell, Omar Vizquel, Sandy Koufax and Carl Yastrzemski. In all, 11 Hall-of-Famers have received the Hutch Award. For more information about the Hutch Award, including a full list of past recipients, visit www.fhcrc.org/hutchaward.

Topics: Baseball Camp, Baseball Fields, Baseball Program, Cancer Research Center, Challenger Baseball, Chicago White Sox, Dave Dravecky, Fred Hutchinson Cancer, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Hutch Award, Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Hutchinson Center, Interactive Baseball, Kids With Disabilities, Little League Baseball, Major League Baseball, Mark Teahen, Mental Challenges, Mlb Players, Royals, Safeco Field, Third Baseman, White Sox