My Hero, as most people know, is the great Nolan Ryan. When he was getting ready to retire, I needed to find a new favorite player. In 1991 when I was watching a Nolan Ryan game, I saw this rookie catcher for the Texas rangers, Ivan Rodriguez, throw out runners from his knees trying to steel bases off him. I thought that it was amazing and I clamed him to be my next favorite player. after 18 years, he signed a 2 year contract to play for the Washington Nationals. The worse team in baseball for a few years running.
Rodriguez is getting ready to retire and I need to find a new favorite player. This college kid, out of SD state, pitched 5 streight no hitters in college and everyone in baseball was talking about him. I listened to a college game of his ESPN televised last year. His consistant fastball clocking in at 97-100mph, he reminded me of my hero, and I clame this kid would be my "next" favorite pitcher. Being at the right place at the right time, he was drafted in 2009 to the washington Nationals, the team my current favorite player, plays.
So Nolan Ryan pitched to Ivan Rodriguez in Rodriguez's rookie year, now Rodriguez catches Steven Strasburg in his first major league game.
Steven Strasburg's debut in major league baseball pitching for the Washington Nationals was amazing and the 40,316 paying croud was electric.
The first over all pick in the 2009 baseball draft, this 21 year old was hyped up like none other. He was destin not to meet lofty expectations that the media, the fans and even some of the greats of baseball past. Curt Schilling saying "when he gets to the majors, he will be the best pitcher"
7 innings pitched
2 runs
4 hits
0 walks
14 strikeouts
14 strike outs is a franchize high
14 strikeouts ties for the most K's in the majors this year so far
100 mph Fastball
88 mph changeup
78 mph curve ball
The most impressive statistic I came across was: Strasburg is the only pitcher in major league history (dates back to 1869) to make a debut with more than 11 strikeouts and no walks.
Only 2 pitchers had more Strike outs during a debut and they had 15.
I was on the edge of my couch cheering along with the fans at the stadium.
I felt like a little kid again. It was great.
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