Hutch Award Given To Marlin Pitcher

Once again, I attended the Fred Hutchinson Awards Luncheon at Safeco Field. This year's award winner was Miami Marlin pitcher Dustin McGowen (top picture), the soft spoken McGowen was interviewed by Mariner announcer Rick Rizzs, when it became clear that he was uncomfortable giving a speech.  McGowen has overcome Tommy John surgery and diabetes. 
The luncheon is to honor Fred Hutchinson, a Seattle Rainier pitcher and a Major League manager who died of lung cancer.  His brother Bill Hutchinson, a surgeon, help found the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  Every year, the MC will ask everyone whose life was touched by themselves or someone in their family having cancer and nearly everyone stands. 
Hall Of Fame Red Son Left Fielder  Jim Rice gave the keynote speech and he broke tradition by taking questions from the audience.  Perhaps it was to contrast himself from last year's keynote speaker who gave a rambling, and what I thought, was a rather inappropriate speech.
Master Of Ceremonies Rizzs noted "this is the unofficial start of the baseball season."

This Year's Hutch Award Winner--Alex Gordon

Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon has been selected as this year's winner of the Fred Hutchinson Award.  The award is given to the player who best exemplifies the courage of Fred Hutchinson, a Seattle native and Major League manager whose life whose life was cut short by cancer.
Gordon, whose Royals made the World Series and where the Cinderella story of 2014, won his 4th consecutive Gold Glove.  He also won the American League's Platinum Glove Award as the best defensive player in the league.
Gordon will be presented with the award at a luncheon at Safeco Field on January 29th.  Dave Winfield will be the keynote speaker.

Container Store In Tukwila Opens

Last Thursday, we attended a grand opening party at The Container Store in Tukwila. The Container Store is a specialty chain that retails storage and origanizational solutions. There was an open bar, elegant food, and a live band. The food was actually served from merchandise in the store.  The store is located at 2437 Southcenter.  On grand opening weekend, 10 percent of the proceeds from sales over the weekend will be donated to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Rubbing Elbows With The Greats At Hutch Luncheon

San Francisco Giants Pitching great Barry Zito (pictured above) was the 2013 winner of the Fred Hutchinson Award,  honor the famous Major League manager who was a Seattle native.    The keynote speaker of the event was former Mariners skipper Lou Piniella (lower picture).  Piniella looked trim and tanned as he spoke fondly of his time with the Mariners. 
The award is presented each year to a player who exemplifies Fred Hutchinson's spirit, Hutchinson's brother started the world renown Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.