Zimmerman To Receive Award From Former Washington Senator & Chair of MLBPAA Jim Hannan

Washington Nationals Third Baseman Ryan Zimmerman is the ballclub’s 2009 recipient of the Major League Baseball Player Alumni Association’s (MLBPAA) Heart & Hustle Award. The esteemed award honors an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball, and best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game. A representative from each Major League team is selected to receive the award by a committee of Alumni players, with the final winner announced on November 6 at the 10th Annual Legends for Youth Dinner in New York City. Current members of the Alumni Association will vote to choose the winner from the list of 30 finalists (see below).

MLBPAA Chairman of the Board and former Washington Senators Pitcher Jim Hannan will present Zimmerman with the award prior to this evening’s game vs. the Florida Marlins. Zimmerman is currently batting .294 with 21 HR and 70 RBI. Earlier this season Zimmerman garnered a hit in 30 consecutive games, 2009’s longest hitting streak thus far. Drafted from University of Virginia in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Zimmerman has been a mainstay in the Nationals line-up since his debut later that year. Zimmerman is also active in the community, helping to raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis through the ziMS Foundation, which was created in 2006. Zimmerman’s mother Cheryl is afflicted with the disease.

The Nationals return home on Tuesday, August 4 for a six-game homestand vs. the Florida Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks. Individual game tickets and parking are currently on sale for all Nationals games in 2009 through the Nationals Park Box Office, located at Half & N Street, SE; by visiting nationals.com; or calling 888.632.NATS(6287). Fans interested in Nationals Ticket Packages including Full, Half, Partial, or Mini season plans and Group Outings of 25 or more should call 202.675.NATS(6287) – Option #1 or log onto nationals.com. Nationals Park is located on the Metrorail Green Line at the Navy Yard station.

National League Finalists American League Finalists
Arizona Diamondbacks – Mark Reynolds Baltimore Orioles – Nick Markakis
Atlanta Braves – Brian McCann Boston Red Sox – Jacoby Ellsbury
Chicago Cubs – Derek Lee Chicago White Sox – Mark Buehrle
Cincinnati Reds – Adam Roasales Cleveland Indians – Grady Sizemore
Colorado Rockies – Clint Barmes Detroit Tigers – Brandon Inge
Florida Marlins – Josh Baker Kansas City Royals – Mark Teahan
Houston Astros – Hunter Pence Los Angeles Angels – Torii Hunter
Los Angeles Dodgers – Russell Martin Minnesota Twins – Joe Maurer
Milwaukee Brewers – Mike Cameron New York Yankees – Nick Swisher
New York Mets – David Wright Oakland Athletics – Jack Cust
Philadelphia Phillies – Chase Utley Seattle Mariners – Jose Lopez
Pittsburgh Pirates – Ryan Doumit Tampa Bay Rays – Evan Longoria
San Diego Padres – David Eckstein Texas Rangers – Michael Young
San Francisco Giants – Pablo Sandoval Toronto Blue Jays – Rod Barajas
St. Louis Cardinals – Albert Pujols
Washington Nationals – Ryan Zimmerman

About the Washington Nationals Baseball Club
The Washington Nationals Baseball Club, owned by the Washington, D.C.-based Lerner Family, was relocated to the District in 2005 from Montreal. The team competes in Major League Baseball’s National League East. The Nationals play 81 home games each season at Nationals Park, the ‘Home of the National Pastime in the Nation’s Capital’, located in Southeast Washington.

About the Heart and Hustle Award
The Alumni Association created the Heart & Hustle Award in 2005, voted on by Alumni Major League players and presented annually to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit, and traditions of the game. Previous Heart & Hustle Winners include David Eckstein (2005) and Craig Biggio (2006 and 2007).

About The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA)
MLBPAA was founded in 1982 with the mission of promoting baseball, raising money for charity, and protecting the dignity of the game through its Alumni players. The MLBPAA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado with a membership of 6,300, of which approximately 4,600 are Alumni and active players. Alumni players find the MLBPAA to be a vital tool to become involved in charity and community philanthropy.

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