Jon Jay receives Cards' Heart and Hustle award

ST. LOUIS -- Jon Jay received two presents prior to Wednesday night's game against the Brewers. He was added to the Cardinals' lineup at the last minute, and he was named the team's recipient for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association "Heart and Hustle" award.

The award "honors active players who demonstrate a passion for the game of baseball and best embody the values, spirit, and tradition of the game," according to the MLBPAA. Cardinals broadcaster and former pitcher Al Hrabosky presented Jay with the award in an on-field ceremony. The league-wide winner of the award will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 3, in New York.

"It was really cool," Jay said. "I found out last week about it, and it's pretty cool to get recognized for that."

Jay, 26, has emerged as the Cardinals' starting center fielder. He's batting .297 on the year with a .346 on-base percentage and a .418 slugging percentage.

He was initially slated to be held out of the lineup for a second straight night, the result of a recent slump. However, when Matt Holliday suffered a lower back injury before the game, Jay was inserted into the starting lineup.

(mlb.com)