Ian Desmond

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Washington Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen (22) give a fist pump after a pop up by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter (13) is caught by Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) to close out the top of the ninth inning as the Washington Nationals play the St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 11, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) makes a diving catch on a ball popped up by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Carpenter (13) for the final out of the top of the ninth inning as the Washington Nationals play the St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 11, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) reacts on a ball at the plate in the ninth inning as the Washington Nationals play the St. Louis Cardinals in game four of the National League Division Series at Nationals Park, Washington, D.C., Thursday, October 11, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Nationals center fielder Bryce Harper (34), shortstop Ian Desmond (20) and first baseman Adam LaRoche (25) wait to take the field before Game 4 of the National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park, Thursday, October 11, 2012. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

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Five-year-old Ian Redding of Falls Church, Va. gets a "curly W" painted on one cheek and the number 20 on the other, because his favorite player is Ian Desmond. He and his dad took the day to come to see the Washington Nationals play against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first home game in the National League Divison Series on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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St. Louis Cardinals' Jon Jay (19) beats the tag by Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond to steal second during the fourth inning of Game 2. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond, top, slides home past St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, bottom right, to score on a single by Jordan Zimmermann during the second inning of Game 2 in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Ian Desmond

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Ian Desmond, seen here in a file photo, stole his 20th base of the season on Monday, becoming only the second Nationals player ever to reach 20 stolen bases and 20 home runs in the same season. (Associated Press)

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Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) throws to first for an out against Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. (Craig Bisacre/The Washington Times)

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Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) throws to first for the out, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, in Washington, DC. Washington Nationals lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers 6 to 7 in the second game of the doubleheader at National Park (Craig Bisacre/The Washington Times)

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The Nationals, with big boosts from Adam LaRoche and Ian Desmond, have not discussed, formally at least, how they might celebrate when they assure themselves of a playoff spot. (Associated Press)

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Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond watches the flight of his two-run home run Monday. It was his 22nd home run of the season. (Associated Press)

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Washington Nationals' Ian Desmond, right, receives congratulations from his third base coach Bo Porter after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of their baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Nationals Park, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

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Ian Desmond, Jesus Flores and the Nationals have held at least a share of first place in the National League East since May 22.

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Washington Nationals SS Ian Desmond (20) is greeted at home plate by Ryan Zimmerman after hitting a 3-run home run in the first inning of the Nationals' 5-4, 13-inning home victory over the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 20, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)