Stephen Strasburg Done as a Hurler

    The Nationals were low in the majors and got the number one pick in 2009. It was this phenom San Diego State pitcher, a tall guy with many nasty pitches. That year my family and I were returning to the DC area, and as a lifetime Expos fan (since 1981) I was excited. The following year the wunderkind Bryce Harper was selected, and the franchise became elite. It paid off with the World Series trip in 2019. Things came done after that; Bryce has already signed with the Phillies, but luckily Juan Soto ameliorated that loss, but the continued departures of Rendon and Trea Turner cemented the comedown from their halcyon days of contender.

    

    The Nats invested in Strasburg, which ended up being a losing investment in the long term, especially based on him calling it quits this far into the 2023 season. The Nationals are trying to re-tool, and seem to be playing better with younger talent. They have a core of younger pitchers and players which may lead to future prominence. We shall see. In the mean time, Stephen only pitched a pathetic 8 games since 2020. He was not up to throw and perform. We paid hundred of millions for him. And now he is done.

    He had many injuries across his arguably great career. The Washington team based a lot of their competitiveness on him, and it paid off for many years in the 2010s. But nothing beyond. And all that money was a high price to pay to get not much since last decade.

    We are grateful that he played so well when he did, and we have a trophy to prove it.

    He could have easily had twice the career wins he accrued, or more. 

    But, we will be happy with what happened. And move on to other pastures.

    That is baseball. And life.

    God bless you and yours, sir! You gave your best, and it will be remembered. The Nats were a really good team because of your efforts and skills.