2016 Hutch Award Luncheon

For the 7th year in a row, I attended the Fred Hutchinson Award luncheon at Safeco Field.  The purpose is to honor the great Seattle baseball player and manager Fred Hutchinson and to support the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.   For the first time, an honorary Hutch Award was given to former President Jimmy Carter.  Grandson Jason Carter accepted that award on his behalf. (bottom picture)
This year's award went to Cardinal  pitcher Adam Wainwright. Wainwright has been an ace on that staff since 2006, as both a relief pitcher, a closer, and since 2007, a starter.  He missed the 2011 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.  On the Cardinal staff, Wainwright is second only to Bob Gibson in most strike outs in franchise history.   Wainwright's foundation has worked to provide better conditions for people in impoverished countries.
Hall Of Famer Carlton Fisk was keynote speaker, with a career that started in the late 60s and ended in the early 90s. Fisk was known for hitting a game winning home run in the 1975 World Series for the Boston Red Sox.  He would later play for the Chicago White Sox until 1993.  At the time of his retirement, he had hit more Home Runs than any catcher in Major League history. The record was later eclipsed by Mike Piazza.  A 2 time cancer survivor, Fisk concluded his speech by saying that if he was as wealthy as Bill Gates, the Hutch would not need fund raisers.
The top picture is me posing with Adam Wainwright on the left and Carlton Fisk on the right.

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.

Raul Ibanez Wins Hutch Award

Once again, I joined friends in attending the Fred Hutchinson Award ceremony at Safeco Field.  Three time Mariner Raul Ibanez (Pictured below) was this year's recipient.  Baseball legend Rod Carew  (pictured above) was keynote speaker.
 Carew is a former Minnesota Twin and California Angel,  He is an 18 time All Star and over 3,000 hits.  He spoke about losing a daughter to leukemia and why it was his life mission to find a cure for the disease.
Ibanez came up as a catcher in the Mariner organization, he is now an outfielder. He left the M's in 2001, to go to Kansas City, after starring with the Royals, he returned to the Mariners in 2004. He left again to go to the Philadelphia Phillies, then to the Yankees.  Last year, he signed a one year agreement with the Mariners, where he hit 29 home runs to tie Ted Williams for most hit by a player over 40, this coming season,  he will play for the LA Angels. Ibanez makes his home in the area and is active in the community.  He said that it was important to be, above all, a great role model.

Butler Wins Hutch

Kansas City Royal Designated Hitter Billy Butler (lower picture, right) was this year's winner of the Fred Hutchinson award, the trophy in honor of the former Major League Baseball Manager Fred Hutchinson, a Seattle native.  Baltimore Oriole Hall Of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr  (above) was keynote speaker.  The luncheon benefits the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  About a thousand people attended this year's luncheon, held at Safeco Field.

Billy Butler To Receive Hutchinson Award

Kansas City Royal designated hitter Billy Butler has been chosen to receive the 47th Annual Fred Hutchinson Award.  The award goes to the Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the competitive spirit of the late Fred Hutchinson, a Seattle native and former Cincinnatti Reds manager.  The award will be presented at the annual luncheon at Safeco Field.  Baseball legend Cal Ripkin, Jr will keynote the ceremony.  The luncheon will raise money for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Braves Pitcher Wins Hutch Award

For the second year in a row I attended the Fred Hutchinson Award luncheon. The award (also known as The Hutch Award) is named for the Seattle native whose Major League managing career was cut short by cancer. Fred's brother, the late Bill Hutchinson, was a renowned cancer surgeon. The legacy of the brothers is the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

This year's winner was Atlanta Braves pitching great Tim Hudson (top picture). The featured speaker was Hall of Fame Second Baseman and Baseball TV analyst Joe Morgan (lower picture).

Rick Riccz and Mike Gastineau were MCs. Also in attendance were former Mariner pitcher Jamie Moyer and the Auburn team that went to the Little League World Series last season.