Denard Span is a former American professional baseball player who played as an outfielder for various teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on February 27, 1984, in Washington, D.C. and attended high school in Tampa, Florida. Span was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft and made his debut in 2008.
Span played for the Minnesota Twins from 2008 to 2012, where he established himself as a reliable leadoff hitter and center fielder. He was known for his speed and ability to get on base, and he set a Twins record for the most triples in a season in 2009. In 2013, Span was traded to the Washington Nationals, where he played for two seasons. He continued to be a consistent performer, hitting over .300 in both seasons and helping the Nationals win the National League East division in 2014.
In 2015, Span signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent. He played for the Giants for two seasons, but injuries limited his playing time. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017, where he played for one season before becoming a free agent. In 2018, Span signed with the Seattle Mariners, where he played his final season before retiring.
Throughout his career, Span was known for his defensive skills as well as his ability to get on base and steal bases. He was a career .281 hitter with 71 home runs, 490 RBIs, and 185 stolen bases. He was also a finalist for the Gold Glove award in 2013 and won the Heart and Hustle award in 2016.
Off the field, Span was known for his philanthropic work. He established the Denard Span Foundation in 2010, which provides resources and support to underprivileged children and families in the Tampa Bay area. He also participated in various charitable events and was named the Twins' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award in 2011.
In conclusion, Denard Span had a successful career as a professional baseball player, playing for various teams in the MLB. He was known for his speed, defensive skills, and ability to get on base, and he was a consistent performer throughout his career. He also made significant contributions off the field through his philanthropic work.
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