Ian Desmond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ian Desmond |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Desmond with the Colorado Rockies in 2018
|
|||
| Shortstop / Outfielder | |||
| Born: September 20, 1985 Sarasota, Florida, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| September 10, 2009, for the Washington Nationals | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 29, 2019, for the Colorado Rockies | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .263 | ||
| Home runs | 181 | ||
| Runs batted in | 711 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Ian Morgan Desmond, born on September 20, 1985, is a former American professional baseball player. He played for 11 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Desmond was a star player for teams like the Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, and Colorado Rockies. He won the Silver Slugger Award three times and was chosen as an All-Star twice.
Early in his career, Desmond mostly played as a shortstop. Later, he also played in the left field, center field, and first base positions. He retired from professional baseball in 2022.
Contents
Playing Professional Baseball
Starting in the Minor Leagues
The Montreal Expos picked Ian Desmond in the 2004 MLB draft. He was the 84th player chosen overall. In his first year, 2004, he played for the Gulf Coast League Expos. He hit .227 and had one home run.
In 2005, Desmond played for the Class-A Savannah Sand Gnats. He hit four home runs and stole 20 bases, which was his highest number of stolen bases in a season. Later that year, he moved to the Class-A Advanced Potomac Nationals. Baseball America named him the best defensive shortstop in the South Atlantic League.
Desmond continued to improve in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, playing again for Potomac, he hit a career-high 14 home runs. He also had his best batting average of .264 and 30 doubles.
In 2008 and early 2009, Desmond played for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators. He batted .306 there. In June 2009, he was moved up to the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs. He played very well, batting .354 in 55 games. After the minor league season ended, he was called up to play for the Washington Nationals.
Playing for the Washington Nationals
Ian Desmond made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on September 10, 2009. In his second time at bat, he got his first hit and first RBI (runs batted in) with a double. He then hit his first career home run in his third time at bat.
He had an amazing start, getting six hits and four RBIs in his first two games. Only one other player in history had done that before him.
In 2010, Desmond became the Nationals' main shortstop. He had a good first full year, batting .269 with 10 home runs and 65 RBIs. He also stole 17 bases. In 2011, he stole a career-high 25 bases.
In 2012, Desmond changed his uniform number to 20 to honor baseball legend Frank Robinson. He was chosen for his first All-Star Game. However, he had to miss the game because of an injury.
Despite the injury, Desmond had a fantastic 2012 season. He hit 24 home runs and stole 20 bases, becoming the first Nationals player since 2006 to achieve this "20-20 club" milestone. For his great hitting, he won a Silver Slugger Award.
Desmond had another strong year in 2013. He repeated his "20 home run – 20 steal" season and won his second Silver Slugger Award. He batted .280 with 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases.
Before the 2014 season, the Nationals offered Desmond a big contract, but he chose a shorter deal instead. He went on to win his third straight Silver Slugger Award in 2014. He batted .255 with 24 home runs and 91 RBIs.
In 2015, Desmond had a tougher season. He struggled with both hitting and fielding. After the season, he became a free agent, meaning he could sign with any team.
Playing for the Texas Rangers
_(cropped).jpg)
On February 29, 2016, Ian Desmond signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers. With the Rangers, he started playing more in the outfield instead of shortstop.
He was chosen as an American League All-Star to represent the Rangers in the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He had a great first half of the season, batting .322 with 15 home runs. Desmond finished the 2016 season with a batting average of .285, 22 home runs, and 86 RBIs.
Playing for the Colorado Rockies
On December 13, 2016, Desmond signed a five-year contract with the Colorado Rockies. During spring training in 2017, he broke a bone in his left hand after being hit by a pitch. He played his first game for the Rockies on April 30.
In 2018, he batted .236. In 2019, Desmond hit .255 with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs. One of his home runs that year traveled 486 feet, one of the longest of the season!
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Desmond decided not to play in the 2020 and 2021 MLB seasons. He chose to put his family's health first. He became a free agent in November 2021.
On April 16, 2022, Ian Desmond officially announced that he was retiring from professional baseball. During his time with the Rockies, he was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award five times. This award honors players who do great community work.
Personal Life and Community Work
Ian Desmond is married to Chelsey, whom he met in fifth grade. They have five children together. When his first child was born, Desmond was one of the first players to use the new paternity leave rule in MLB. The family lives in Sarasota, Florida.
Desmond has always been involved in helping his community. While playing for the Nationals, he was on the board of the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. This academy helps young people through baseball.
He is also a national spokesperson for the Children's Tumor Foundation. This organization helps children with tumors.
In 2020, Desmond helped start Newtown Connection. This non-profit group in his hometown of Sarasota helps young people who need support. It offers programs for learning, physical activity, and health education. The goal is to teach kids about leadership, teamwork, and working hard.
Ian Desmond is also related to Viola Desmond, a famous Canadian civil rights activist. He was raised in the Catholic faith.
Images for kids
-
Desmond in 2011
_(cropped).jpg)
