32, Catcher
Why He’s Interesting: Austin Hedges knows he won’t be the American League MVP anytime soon, but he is a leader on a team that is thirsty for more playoff success. “I’m not necessarily the guy that’s going to go out there and get four hits tonight. I can do something to bring something to the table to help my teammates who are going to go out and get those hits.”
Home Away From Home: Hedges began his career in his hometown with the San Diego Padres before stints with the then-Cleveland Indians in 2020, the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022 and then the World Series champion Texas Rangers in 2023. That offseason, he returned to Cleveland as a free agent. In November, he signed another contract with the Guardians.
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Love of The Land: So what draws a Southern California native to Northeast Ohio? “It's all about the people. Everyone is about caring and making each other better. And it just became so clear to me that this is the way. This is the way to not just happiness as a human, but a formula for winning, because you truly have a group all working together for the same thing. And year after year after year I've been in Cleveland, I fell in love with the city more and more — and they show the love back.”
More Than Just Stats: While Hedges may not be near the top of the league in batting average or home runs, he has provided invaluable leadership, particularly in Cleveland, by oscillating between positive reinforcement, personal accountability and showing up for his guys. “My leadership style is ever-evolving. I will never be a finished product in that department. It is something that I care about too much.”
Mr. Nice: Hedges was named the Cleveland Guardians’ Good Guy Award winner for 2024 by Cleveland’s Baseball Writers Association of America chapter.
Meet the rest of the 2025 class of Most Interesting People >>
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