Mariners’ Dee Gordon receives 2020 Hutch Award
Seattle Mariners infielder Dee Gordon was announced Thursday morning as the recipient of the 2020 Hutch Award.
The award is given annually to the MLB player who “best represents the courage and dedication” of former big league pitcher and manager Fred Hutchinson, a Seattle native who died of lung cancer in 1964.
“This award has an incredible history, and I’m grateful to be a part of its legacy,” Gordon said in a release. “I believe it’s our duty as professional athletes to give back to the communities that support us.
“Recognition isn’t why I do it, but it is an honor when an organization like Fred Hutch recognizes the efforts.”
Gordon, who turned 32 years old Wednesday, was chosen to receive the 55th annual award for his commitment to community involvement, primarily through his Flash of Hope program, which helps children and families impacted by domestic violence.
Gordon lost his mother to domestic violence when he was 6 years old.
He started the Flash of Hope program while playing in Miami, and has continued it since joining the Mariners in 2018.
“What drives me is I’m really not supposed to be here,” Gordon said in a conference call Thursday, noting his smaller size — he’s 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, but is still a Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger and two-time All-Star — and how he has had to maintain a strong work ethic throughout his baseball career.
“I’m blessed to be here, and to play well, and do everything I will ever dream of doing in life because of what I do on the baseball field. So to be able to do that, I just wanted to give back.”
Gordon said the Flash of Hope program has “meant the world” to him, because it shows kids who have endured similar hardships to his someone who has found success.
It’s “good for them to see someone who’s made it,” Gordon said, and he hopes he can be an example as those kids move forward with their passions.
“Maybe it’s not in baseball, maybe it’s in another field, but at least they’re doing something to try to be better,” he said.
Gordon partners with several organizations — including the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, LifeWire, New Beginnings, API Chaya and DAWN — to host families at the ballpark during the season.
Participants are given game tickets, gift cards, meals, T-shirts from the Flash of Hope program, and an opportunity to watch batting practice and visit with Gordon.
Gordon also volunteers to fight poverty and hunger, and has partnered with Food for the Hungry and Striking Out Poverty to raise funds for those in urgent need around the world.
He also supports charities including the Boys and Girls Clubs, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics USA, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Mariners Care programs.
Gordon has also extended help to others during the COVID-19 pandemic, including supporting families struggling with hunger by providing free meals through Jesse’s Rib Shack in Orlando.
“Jesse’s Rib Shack is awesome,” said Gordon, who has had parties for family and friends catered by owner Jamaal Jackson and his crew in the past. “He’s a good friend of ours we met a few years ago. ... I wanted to make sure we helped him as well.”
He’s also working with a Seattle-based company to design stylish mask covers.
As baseball continues its shutdown amid the pandemic, Gordon he’s trying to stay safe, and he and his family are doing well.
He’s taking this time off as an opportunity to learn how to be a good father to his 2-month-old daughter, Demi, and has realized during the break that he will be content when his baseball career does end.
He’s not planning on retiring “anytime soon,” he says, but appreciates the perspective he’s gained.
“This is basically what retirement will look like,” Gordon said. “I can see that I’m going to be OK post-baseball, so that’s pretty good, knowing that I’m going to be alright, even though I love to play every day.”
Gordon is the fifth Mariners player to receive the Fred Hutch award, following Raul Ibanez (2013), Jamie Moyer (2003), Omar Vizquel (1996) and John Olerud (1993).
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 10:50 AM.
