The heart of the Toronto Blue Jays is being recognized again.
For the second consecutive season, Ernie Clement has won the Blue Jays' Heart and Hustle Award, the team announced Friday.
In the midst of a career-best year at the plate, Clement currently has career highs in batting average (.287) and slugging percentage (.415) while adding nine home runs and 38 RBIs, earning his first all-star appearance.
The Rochester, N.Y., native also has a penchant for running out plays on the bases, pushing through injuries, and making the extra effort on defensive plays.
He most recently made a game-saving play against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, leaping to catch a soft liner to centre that otherwise would have been a walk-off base hit.
Clement, 30, is also well known for his long, arduous grind to the major leagues.
After six years in the minors and another three bouncing up and down between affiliated ball and MLB, he received his first full-time playing opportunity with the Blue Jays in 2024 at age 28 and ran with it.
Toronto acquired Clement after he was released by the then Oakland Athletics — the last-placed team in the American League at the time — and signed him to a minor league contract ahead of the 2023 season.
He didn't break through right away, spending the majority of the year with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, but posted a .348/.401/.544 slash line in the minors to go along with 11 homers and 58 RBIs, and hit for a .380 average and .885 OPS in his brief time with the Blue Jays that season.
But it wasn't until 2025 that Clement truly made a name for himself, playing through a fractured finger and stitches in his shin as he helped the Blue Jays make the World Series with an MLB-record 30 hits in the post-season.
His 22 defensive runs saved in 2025 also tied for the MLB lead with Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan. He was a Gold Glove finalist at both third base and as a utility player, but ultimately didn't win either award.
Clement currently has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining and isn't due to hit free agency until the 2029 season.
