SEATTLE -- Dustin McGowan battled through injury after injury, but he never gave up on his dream to become a Major League pitcher. He learned he had diabetes in the midst of those trying times, but the heartache and suffering led to education, evolution and action to make the world a better place.
The perspective and humility he's gleaned through these hardships has told him over and over that baseball is a game and life is so much more.
So when McGowan was honored as the 52nd recipient of the prestigious Hutch Award for outstanding community service during the annual Hutch Award Luncheon at Safeco Field on Wednesday afternoon, it was an understandably emotional moment for the 34-year-old Marlins right-hander.