The Atlanta Braves gave Mauricio Dubon some major news ahead of their series against the New York Yankees.
The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association announced the winners of the Heart & Hustle awards for each team. Atlanta’s winner was Dubon.
These players have earned the utmost admiration and respect of our Alumni for the passion, dedication and heart they bring to the game. We are proud to celebrate this year’s #HeartandHustle Award
According to MLB, the Heart & Hustle award “Is presented annually to active players who exemplify a true passion for the game and who best embody the values, spirit and traditions of the game. The Heart and Hustle Award is the only award in Major League Baseball that is voted on by former players. Voting for team winners is conducted prior to the All-Star break.”
The Braves acquired Dubon from the Houston Astros in November for Nick Allen. In his first year with Atlanta, Dubon has been a major part of the roster and someone Braves alumni have grown fond of.
Dubon is hitting .269 with 10 home runs and 58 RBIs this season with the Braves. He’s a pending free agent.
Braves Manager Praises Dubon
Dubon was expected to be a utility player for the Braves, but he’s become an impact player for Atlanta.
Amid Dubon’s stellar season, Braves manager Walt Weiss shared some high praise for the utility player.
“What a luxury to be able to bat a guy anywhere in the lineup, literally, and put him anywhere on the field and get plus defense at any spot. I mean, that’s a short list of guys in this league. He might be the only name on that list,” Weiss said.
Dubon has been someone who is now hard to take out of the lineup for the Braves. He can play around the lineup, which is a positive for Atlanta.
Atlanta On Hot Streak
The Braves are in the midst of a hot streak as they look like legit World Series contenders.
Atlanta has won eight straight games, and the Braves aren’t surprised by their recent success.
“We’re not surprised,” Dubón said. “You’re gonna hit some bumps. That’s baseball. That’s why we play 162.”
The Braves struggled in the month of June, but they have been much better since then. And Weiss is pleased with how the team has played.
“I’m so proud of this group,” Weiss said. “We were a long ways away after June. We had really fallen back. But here we are, back where we were, when we were playing really well. This is a great response from our guys.”
The Braves are 70-45 and 8.5 games up on the Philadelphia Phillies.
Braves Announce Major Mauricio Dubon News Before Yankees Series