KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Today, the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation announced Royals outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (yuh-strem-skee, referred to colloquially as “Yaz”) as an honoree of the prestigious Bob Feller Act of Valor Award for the 2025 season.
The award honors the legacy of National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, who made the selfless decision to put his career in Major League Baseball on hold to serve our country. The honorees selected possess the values, integrity and dedication to serving our country that Feller himself displayed. Yastrzemski is the first Royals player to win this award. He will be honored during the 13th Annual Bob Feller Act Of Valor Awards Ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
“I’m incredibly honored to win the Bob Feller award,” said Yastrzemski. “To win an award that remembers and honors such an incredible story and human is truly humbling and is very special for me and my family. I have had the pleasure of working with the veteran community for several years, and listening to their stories and being able to interact with them has been life changing. It has brought a new appreciation to my family and I for the lives that we are able to live because of the sacrifices they and their families have made.”
Throughout his career, Yastrzemski has been a strong advocate and supporter for our military Veterans and mental health awareness.
In 2022, Yaz started the Mustache May campaign to lighten the mood for himself and his teammates while going through a rough patch on the field. Mustache May recognizes the mental struggles associated with the baseball profession and brings awareness to the resources available to players and fans alike.
With a personal connection to the military and Veterans and the increased need for mental health services for these groups, Yaz’s goal for Mustache May is to promote and prioritize mental health in active duty, Veteran, and civilian communities and create a world where mental health is discussed openly and freely.
Proceeds from Yastrzemski’s Mustache May merchandise supports the Heart and Armor Foundation, which aims to protect the health of Veterans and connect civilians to the experience of military service, specifically with their research and programs around mental wellness.
Yaz routinely hosts Veterans and their families from Heart & Armor and other Veteran organizations at the ballpark, building personal relationships during meet-and-greets and dynamic conversations around mental health. Early in the 2025 season, Yaz hosted a 102-year-old WWII Veteran and TikTok influencer “Papa Jake” Larson, who threw out the first pitch at Oracle Park.
During Mustache May, Yaz and the Giants hosted a military care package assembly event, putting together 300 care packages to send to troops overseas. May is only one month, but Yastrzemski’s efforts never end, as he continues to be a leader on and off the field, continues to recognize the struggles that many people (including professional players) go through, and constantly reminds everyone: “It’s important to check in and care for your homies!”
Yastrzemski played in 146 games in 2025, splitting the season between San Francisco (96 games) and Kansas City (50), after he was acquired by the Royals at the Trade Deadline. Across his 50 games with the Royals, he recorded 23 extra-base hits and 18 RBI while drawing more walks (25) than strikeouts (22).
He also set a franchise record with 4 leadoff home runs in a month, as his 4 in August surpassed the previous record of 3 in a month, shared by Alex Gordon (Aug. 2012) and Johnny Damon (Sept. 1998). Mike is the grandson of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski.
This year’s program recognizes recipients from the military and Major League Baseball in seven categories:
- National Baseball Hall of Fame Award – Rollie Fingers, National BBHOF Inductee 1992
- Major League Baseball Award – Mike Yastrzemski, Outfielder, Kansas City Royals
- United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Award – GSMC Ollie E. Dunlap IV, USN
- United States Marine Corps Jerry Coleman Award – Gunnery Sergeant Paul A. Luna, USMC
- Morale, Welfare, Recreation Award – USS DECATUR (DDG 73) Volunteer Committee
- Bob Feller Act of Valor Patriot Award – Rick Monday, 19-year MLB veteran with KC/Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers, and a United States Marine Corps Veteran
- Bob Feller Fellowship Award – Caitlin Omey, a Fordham University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religious Studies. Caitlin commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and Naval Flight Officer in May 2025.
Previous Major League Baseball player recipients include Byron Buxton, Sean Doolittle, Jon Gray, Griffin Jax, Ian Kennedy, Jonathan Lucroy, Darren O’Day, Sean Reid-Foley, Craig Stammen, Nick Swisher, Justin Verlander and Brad Ziegler.
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