Lo Duca up for the "Heart and Hustle" Award

Marty Noble at Mets.com writes abour Paul Lo Duca and his nomination for the "Heart and Hustle" Award:

The veteran catcher was recognized in a pregame ceremony at Shea Stadium on Wednesday night. Former Met Rusty Staub presented a plaque to Lo Duca, who is in his first season with the Mets.

"To be recognized by men who played the game, and to have Rusty present it to me is a special honor," said Lo Duca, a Mets fan when he was younger. "I know Rusty played the game the right way, and with all that he has done off the field for police and fire departments, it makes me appreciate it even more.

"Rusty was an idol of mine, and I followed him growing up. It's an honor to accept the award from him and to meet a great person who does a lot of things for the community, so it's a privilege to be mentioned in the same breath as Rusty."

Lo Duca is one of 30 big-league players, one from each club, to be named a winner of the award. The overall "Heart and Hustle" Award is to be presented at the Alumni Association's annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York on Nov. 3. The dinner raises funds for children's baseball clinics.