Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, hosted its annual signature fundraising event Monday night, honoring former player Ian Desmond with its annual Power of Baseball Award. The Nationals Homecoming Gala, presented by The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, raised nearly $800,000 to further Nationals Philanthropies’ community impact work. Held at held at The Anthem at The Wharf, the event was attended by members of the Lerner family, the Washington Nationals baseball club and front office, corporate leaders and representatives from local government. Auction items can continue to be bid on until 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 28, at nats.com/homecomingauction.
The Power of Baseball Award, presented by The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, is Washington Nationals Philanthropies’ most illustrious award, and recognizes an individual, corporation, organization or local group that embodies the positive character and level of achievement exemplified throughout the game of baseball.
“Ian was the first Nationals player to step up to the plate and champion the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. That commitment and unwavering devotion to the goals and values of the program were instrumental to the foundation of the program, said Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, founding chair and board member of Washington Nationals Philanthropies and president of The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation. “Ian’s legacy as the inaugural Player Ambassador to the Academy continues to make positive impacts to this day, as it is a coveted role passed on to the next generation of Nationals players, and his commitment to growing the game through his nonprofit organization, Newtown Connection, is truly inspiring.”
Drafted in the third round of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Montreal Expos, Desmond played the first seven seasons of his 11-year MLB career in D.C. Part of the first wave of home-grown talent within the Nationals’ system, the shortstop quickly became a key member to the organization’s success and cemented himself as a fan favorite both on the field and in the community. In addition to receiving three consecutive Silver Slugger Awards and All-Star selections, Desmond was the inaugural Player Ambassador to the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy; a founding member of the Academy Board of Directors; a seven-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee (twice with the Nationals); and five-time Heart & Hustle Award winner (four times with the Nationals) throughout his career.
“Ian played an integral role in the success of the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy since its inception, helping it become the welcoming and positive environment for holistic youth development that it is today,” Lauren McCarthy, Vice President and Executive Director, Washington Nationals Philanthropies. “His dedication to ensuring young people have the opportunity to succeed on and off the baseball field is part of his legacy at the Academy, and we are excited to honor the lasting impact of his support at our Nationals Homecoming Gala.”