Desmond's success lives on in Sarasota
Nats shortstop remains a draw when he visits his hometown team
Ian Desmond, SS, Nationals
Hometown: Sarasota, Fla.
Sarasota High has produced 16 Major Leaguers in the last half-century. None have been as successful as Desmond.
Longtime Sailors coach Clyde Metcalf, who has seen many of those big leaguers come through while winning more than 800 games, saw that potential during Desmond's all-everything career, which culminated in his third-round selection by the then-Expos in the 2004 Draft -- one round later than teammate James Houser went to the then-Devil Rays in 2003.
Desmond was also a football standout for SHS, though he did away with his senior season on the gridiron to focus on baseball.
In the offseason, Desmond still lives in Sarasota with his wife and kids, plenty happy to pay a visit to his old team or any charity event in town.
"You'll always draw a little more people if Ian Desmond's there," Metcalf said. "It's great. The kids love it when he comes out."