Joel Hanrahan's career in the Major Leagues began in 2007 and he has been active in the community from the start. While playing for the Washington Nationals, he participated in a number of events benefiting the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, including the galas in 2008 and 2009. He also consistently devotes his time to meet and greets, private clinics, autograph sessions and school visits.

In 2008 Hanrahan participated in the charity date auction for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in support of a Nationals’ front office executive who was a candidate for Society's 2008 Woman of the Year.

Following the major Midwest floods in 2008, Hanrahan mobilized an aggressive fundraising campaign for the Red Cross Disaster Relief by recording television and radio PSAs, online auctions, and hosting collections at the Nationals' park gates during a June homestand. Last year Hanrahan was the recipient of the 2008 Roberto Clemente Award, which honors the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and contributions to his team. As an award recipient, he was able to direct a charitable gift to the Walter Reed Society.

About Joel Hanrahan

An Iowa native, Hanrahan went from high school straight to the 2000 MLB Draft and was signed to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Following a few years in the minors, he was signed in 2006 to the Washington Nationals and was recently traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2009 he competed for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.