Ken Griffey Sr. presents 2006 Hutch Award™ to Houston Astros' Mark Loretta

After fielding questions from the students at Hutch School, second baseman Mark Loretta received the 2006 Hutch Award™ during the Hutch Award Luncheon, Jan. 25, at Safeco Field. Keynote speaker Ken Griffey Sr. bestowed the 42nd annual award on Loretta.

The event included a presentation on the importance of cancer research by Dr. Garnet Anderson, of the Public Health Sciences Division, and a powerful, personal story from patient Gretchen Whiting about battling stage 4 melanoma. The luncheon generated more than $287,000 for the Center's Gregory Fund® for early cancer-detection research.

The Hutch Award™ is given annually to a major-league baseball player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit of baseball great Fred Hutchinson. Loretta became the first recipient of the award redesigned by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, who also took part in the ceremonies.

Loretta, who spent the 2006 season with the Boston Red Sox and is now with the Houston Astros, is a survivor of stage 1 malignant melanoma. He is an advocate for skin-cancer early detection and prevention.