Ryan Zimmerman’s Third 'Night At The Park' Scores $200+k w/ Gusto! …and Guster!

SOUTHEAST -- Close to a thousand attendees flocked to the ballpark on Thursday evening, but not for America’s favorite pastime. Indeed, in lieu of a game featuring the hometown favorite Washington Nationals, they had come for an exclusive concert by the acoustic-pop threesome known as Guster.

Ryan Zimmerman.

Guster band members (Photo: Daniela Kelley).
The occasion, of course, was Nats third baseman Ryan Zimmerman’s annual ‘A Night at the Park’ fundraiser in support of a cure for multiple sclerosis. Now in its third year, the much talked about benefit raised in a single night more than $200,000 for Zimmerman’s ziMS Foundation.

Nats players Chad Tracy and Michael Morse.

Nats pitcher Edwin Jackson and guest.
Among the attendees, which counted both Guster and Nationals fans of all ages, were many of Zimmerman’s teammates, coaches, and managers. Spotted chatting with guests along the concourse (and quietly singing to the occasional Guster song) were Craig Stammen, Tom Gorzellany, Rick Eckstein, Stephen Strasburg, Adam LaRoche, Rick Ankiel, Mike Rizzo, Davey Johnson, Gio Gonzalez, Ross Detwiler, Mike Morse, Chad Tracy, Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, Edwin Jackson, Danny Espinosa, Xavier Nady, Sean Burnett, and Craig Stammer -- no small feat given the limited amount of time off the team gets during the season.

But the reward for coming was equally substantial, with everyone enjoying an hour-long set from the band, including all of Guster’s popular favorites. Before the performance, ticketholders engaged in a heated live auction for a half-dozen prime prizes, including tickets to the 2013 GRAMMY Awards and some one-on-one face time with Zimmerman himself.

Still none of either the live or silent auction swag could hold a candle to the two “Happy Gilmore checks” that the ziMS Foundation handed out to the National Capital Chapter of the National MS Society and dreamMakerS non-profits, for $40,000 and $30,000, respectively.

Multiple sclerosis, in addition to being a disease that affects roughly 400,000 Americans, is a cause close to Zimmerman’s heart. His mother, Cheryl (who was in attendance last night), was diagnosed with MS in 1995 and her condition was a defining influence on both his and brother Shawn’s lives.

Fast-forward 12 years later and the ziMS Foundation has now raised more than $700,000 since it was founded in 2006. Its goal is nothing less than finding a cure for multiple sclerosis by funding comprehensive support and educational programs.

Nats pitcher Ross Detwiler and guest.
Third baseman? Third ‘Night at the Park’? Third time’s clearly still a charm.