Ryan Zimmerman, Mr. National

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 03: Ryan Zimmerman #11 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Boston Red Sox at Nationals Park on October 03, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Before there was Juan Soto, Max Scherzer and even Bryce Harper, there was Ryan Zimmerman.Taken 4th overall in the 2005 MLB draft, Zimmerman was the first ever pick by the Washington Nationals franchise following their return to the nation’s capitol. By the time he called it a career Zim ranked at or near the top in every major offensive category for Nationals players.

He retires as the Nationals’ career leader in games played (1,799), runs (963), hits (1,846), total bases (3,159), doubles (417), home runs (284) and RBIs (1,061). He was also a two-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger and a Rawlings Gold Glove winner for his play at third base.

Zimmerman had a knack for stepping up when the team needed it most too.

He is one of only 10 players in MLB history with 11 or more walk-off home runs, according to ESPN Stats and Information. 8 of those 10 players are in the Hall of Fame.

As great as he was on the field, he may been even greater off of it.

He made frequent appearances at Nationals promotional events (I should know, I was usually at them too) and was constantly interacting with fans, children and adult alike. You could tell from the way he carried himself in the community that he really cared about its people and their problems, something that can be rare for an athlete of his caliber.

In 2006 he started his ziMS Foundation with the goal of raising money and awareness for those with multiple sclerosis. The foundation has raised over $3.5 million since it first started.

He may not have the numbers or the rings to be considered for enshrinement in Cooperstown, but for 17 season in the DMV area he was our Hall of Famer, our face of the franchise.

Our Mr. National.