Nats' own 'Energizer Bunny' wins Heart & Hustle Award

This story was excerpted from Jessica Camerato’s Nationals Beat newsletter, written this week by Melanie Martinez-Lopez. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

WASHINGTON -- Whether in the clubhouse or on the field, Ildemaro Vargas radiates positivity and passion everywhere he goes.

“They call him the little Energizer Bunny. He brings a lot of energy every day,” said manager Dave Martinez. “He does keep everybody upbeat.”

His dedication to baseball and the Nationals has not gone unnoticed. He was selected as Washington’s recipient for the 2024 Heart & Hustle Award. The award is voted on by alumni and active Major League players. It is presented annually to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit, and traditions of the game.

According to Martinez, Vargas is one of the veterans on the team who helps the younger players with the transition from the Minors to the Majors and helps to welcome new players, particularly the Latino players and infielders. He also helped some who experienced the changes of the Trade Deadline for the first time.

“He's an unbelievable guy to have around and an exceptional person because whenever things go wrong for some of our young players, he's the guy that goes up to him, pats him on the back, and says, ‘Hey, are you gonna be OK?” Martinez said. “He tries to pump him up. So he's blessed me and everybody else in this organization, especially as teammates.”

Not only does Vargas help with the culture within the clubhouse, but the utility player also brings the energy out into the games no matter where he is on the field. During his current season with the Nationals, the 33-year-old is batting .269 with a .674 OPS. He has split time between second base, third base, shortstop, and left field, tallying 91 assists.

Vargas also showed his commitment to the team by pitching one relief outing for the Nationals in the 12-3 loss against San Diego on July 24. His enthusiasm on the mound went viral and while he allowed two hits, no runs were scored. He threw some of the slowest pitches in the league. Vargas also dramatically caught a comebacker using his reflexes before crashing onto the mound.

“He's a veteran guy that understands the game,” Martinez said. “Whatever I asked him to do, he does with everything he has, and I mean it. He's unbelievable. I put him in different positions, he plays well in all of them. I put him in different places in the lineup, he does well.”

When he’s not on the field, Vargas is in the dugout, celebrating his teammates’ accomplishments. If they hit a home run, he is at the top of the steps ready to place the celebratory Uncle Sam homer hat on their heads.

With his selection as the Nationals’ winner of the Heart and Hustle Award, Vargas is in the running to be voted as the final winner of the 30 team winners. The overall winner of the award is voted on by fans, alumni and active players and will be announced in mid-November on MLB Network.