Stephen Strasburg, a World Series champion pitcher for the Washington Nationals, has announced his retirement after a career marred by injuries. MLB officially listed Strasburg’s retirement on Saturday, with the pitcher expressing his gratitude for achieving his boyhood dream of winning a World Series in 2019. Strasburg thanked his teammates, coaches, and fans for their support throughout his career and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to play for the Nationals. The pitcher was selected No. 1 overall out of San Diego State and burst onto the scene in 2010, but missed most of 2011 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Despite injuries limiting his time on the field, Strasburg made a significant impact during his career, finishing with 1,723 strikeouts and a 3.24 career ERA.
In 2019, Strasburg played a crucial role in helping the Nationals secure their first World Series title, striking out 14 Houston Astros batters and recording a 2.51 ERA in two starts. He was named World Series MVP for his performance in the championship series. However, injuries continued to plague Strasburg in subsequent seasons, with nerve issues in his hand forcing him to miss significant playing time. Despite these challenges, Strasburg expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play for the only team he had known and for the support of the Nationals organization and fans. He finished his career as a three-time All-Star who made a lasting impact on the Nationals franchise.
Nationals principal owner Mark D. Lerner praised Strasburg for his contributions to the team, noting the pitcher’s growth as both a player and a person. Lerner expressed gratitude for the memories Strasburg created during his time with the Nationals and credited him with putting the team on the map as World Champions. General Manager Mike Rizzo also lauded Strasburg’s career, highlighting his journey from his Major League debut in 2010 to leading the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019 as the MVP. Rizzo recognized Strasburg as one of the best players in Nationals history and expressed gratitude for his impact on the organization.
As Strasburg enters retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of success and resilience despite facing numerous injuries throughout his career. His contribution to the Nationals’ World Series victory in 2019 and his impact on the team and its fans will be remembered for years to come. Strasburg expressed his appreciation for the support he received from his teammates and fans, as well as the opportunity to fulfill his childhood dream of winning a World Series. Despite the challenges he faced with injuries, Strasburg’s determination and talent made him a standout player and a key figure in the Nationals’ history.
