Just 72 hours before he was set to undergo season-ending surgery on his left hip, Denard Span stood at his locker in the Nationals clubhouse to address the media, all but resigned to the fact his career in Washington is almost certain be over.
Just four days earlier he spoke to reporters in the exact same spot having just returned off the disabled list. He was ready for the homestretch of the season, positive the Nats could still make something of what was drawing closer to being a lost year. He was optimistic that his body could hold up, that he could play through pain and give it one more go with the team that traded for him before the 2013 season.