Guardians’ Head Athletic Trainer Honored by Maine Baseball Hall of Fame
For Jeff Desjardins, a lifelong passion for baseball and a career defined by quiet excellence came full circle this October when he was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.
A native of Presque Isle and currently the Head Athletic Trainer for the Cleveland Guardians, Desjardins joined a class of 11 inductees honored in Portland for their outstanding contributions to baseball in the state of Maine. Though many Hall of Fame honorees are recognized for their playing careers or coaching legacies, Desjardins’ story stands out as a tribute to the essential — and often unsung — role that athletic trainers play in the game.
“It was an honor to be part of the 2025 class inducted into the State of Maine Baseball Hall of Fame this past October,” Desjardins said. “Although summers are shorter in Maine compared to those in other parts of the country, as spring starts a little later and winter arrives a bit sooner than most would like, Mainers still maintain a great passion for the game of baseball.”
That deep-rooted passion helped fuel Desjardins’ journey from small-town Maine to the highest level of Major League Baseball. Over his multi-decade career in athletic training, he has served as a mentor, leader, and steady presence in the training room — supporting countless athletes and medical professionals with care, integrity, and purpose.
The induction ceremony was not just a recognition of personal achievement, but a homecoming of sorts. “My family and I had a wonderful day in Maine celebrating this recognition with 10 other deserving individuals,” he said. “The opportunity allowed us to reconnect with friends, family and former teammates, coaches, and umpires that all in attendance had not seen in a very long time.”
Desjardins also became just the fourth athletic trainer ever inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, a distinction that reflects both his skill and the growing appreciation for athletic trainers’ roles in the game’s success. He noted the significance of joining respected names like Kevin Rand, longtime MLB athletic training leader and a mentor throughout Jeff’s career.
“I am proud to be one of the four athletic trainers historically inducted into the State of Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Kevin Rand, for whom I have tremendous respect,” Desjardins said. “While navigating my educational and career path to become an athletic trainer in professional baseball, I am grateful to have had his mentorship.”
Desjardins’ induction also highlighted the power of professional relationships. He was joined at the event by two key members of the Cleveland Guardians staff: Lonnie Soloff, Senior Vice President of Sports Medicine, and Chad Wolfe, Assistant Athletic Trainer — both of whom traveled from Cleveland to support their colleague in person.
“I was pleasantly surprised to be supported, in person, by my close friends and colleagues, Lonnie Soloff and Chad Wolfe,” he said.
The honor was made even more meaningful by those who helped nominate and support Desjardins throughout the process. He expressed deep appreciation to Nick Kenney, President of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS), and again to Soloff, both of whom wrote letters of support for his nomination.
“I would also like to thank Nick Kenney, ATC, President of PBATS and Lonnie Soloff, DPT, ATC, who wrote letters of support when I was nominated for this honor,” Desjardins said. “In addition to the support from PBATS and the Executive Board, which has been tremendous and humbling.”
With his induction, Desjardins not only cemented his place in Maine baseball history, but also helped shine a light on the vital role athletic trainers play in keeping the game going — from Little League fields in New England to Major League clubhouses across the country.