ESPN Zone hosts about five National players Q&A sessions throughout the season and typically they are in the big room on the main level. There was a very large group in that room on the day that the Ian Desmond Q&A was scheduled so the Q&A was moved to the screening room on the lower level. The move was significant because it allowed ESPN Zone patrons who were there just to eat lunch to enjoy an hour with a Nationals player and fans and may have even created a few new Nationals fans.
The first Washington Nationals Q&A sessions of 2010 season was at noon on Thursday, May 20, 2010 with starting shortstop Ian Desmond. The radio voice of the Nationals, Charlie Slowes hosted the Q&A and started the session by getting Desmond to share his thoughts on everything happening on and off the field. Throughout the Q&A, fans were invited to answer trivia about Ian Desmond to win tickets to future Nationals games as well as ask Ian questions.
The first Washington Nationals Q&A sessions of 2010 season was at noon on Thursday, May 20, 2010 with starting shortstop Ian Desmond. The radio voice of the Nationals, Charlie Slowes hosted the Q&A and started the session by getting Desmond to share his thoughts on everything happening on and off the field. Throughout the Q&A, fans were invited to answer trivia about Ian Desmond to win tickets to future Nationals games as well as ask Ian questions.
Ian Desmond was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 2004. Since Desmond is one of the last links to Montreal, a fan asked if he thought that the Washington Nationals should do anything to honor the Expos. "I don’t know about that. The Expos were The Expos. They became The Washington Nationals for a reason--people lost interest in The Expos. We’ve got a good thing going right now. The Curly “W” is where it is at. And we need to stay focused on the “W”. There might be a date or year we wear a throwback Expos jersey though. That would be kind of cool."
A few questions were asked by young baseball fans. When asked about what inspired him to be a baseball player, Ian explained that every wish he'd had since he was twelve years old was to be a baseball player. "Since by 12th birthday when I blew out candles on a birthday cake, or when a clock was 11:11, I always wished I was a Major League Baseball Player." Twelve years later his dreams came true when he made his MLB Debut on September 10, 2009.
Desmond started playing baseball when he was ten years old. "I had my first tryout and from then on, played my whole life."
Ian Desmond answered each question with honesty and some were pretty entertaining. Someone asked what it was like to be Ian Desmond. "Pretty Awesome." After the burst of laughter quieted, he continued by stating, "I've got a good job, good family and a beautiful wife."
When Desmond was asked by a young fan who had the best music on the team his answer was simply, “me.”
Many fans seemed a bit surprised that Adam Kennedy was the teammate that Desmond said he spent the most time with since they were competing for the middle infield positions during spring training. Desmond said that he did hate Kennedy at first, since he figured that meant he'd have to wait longer for his shot at a starting position, but then got to know him and admired his work ethic. Desmond realized that they had more in common that he thought and built a strong friendship. "He’s a good guy. He’s sorta taken me under his wings--looking out for me."
After the Q&A, Ian Desmond signed autographs for all the fans in attendance and posed for photos.
All Photos 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/
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Excellent post, Cheryl. Glad to see that this got some coverage and now I have a better idea about what to expect if I'm able to make it to the ESPNZone for one of the later player days.
Thank you Souldrummer. ESPN Zone Q&A's are usually once a month, but haven't seen the schedule yet. I will post it when I get it. Definitely worth checking out.