Mets player finally receives his Legion award
American Legion Past National Commander Dan Dellinger presented the 2014 American Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year award to Michael Cuddyer on June 11. (Photo by Amy Elliott)

Mets player finally receives his Legion award

On the same night he hit the game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth against the San Francisco Giants on June 11, New York Mets outfielder Michael Cuddyer earned more praise on the field from The American Legion. In a pre-game ceremony, Cuddyer was presented with the Legion's 2014 Baseball Graduate of the Year award by American Legion Past National Commander Dan Dellinger.

Before being drafted by the Mets in the 2014 offseason, Cuddyer was named the Legion's Baseball Graduate of the Year while playing for the Colorado Rockies but the award presentation was delayed due to him being on the disabled list with a shoulder injury.

Cuddyer played American Legion Baseball for Post 280 in Chesapeake, Va., which he continues to support by providing autographed baseballs for the post to auction off during fundraising events. The right-hander was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the first round (ninth pick) of the 1997 amateur draft, and he made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in September 2001. Cuddyer signed with the Colorado Rockies in December 2011 where he had a 27-game hitting streak in 2013 – his personal best.