Wake Up With Stephen Strasburg's Electric 14 K MLB Debut
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSdCru7kF_I
Man I forgot how exciting Stephen Strasburg's first career start was in DC. The buzz around this kid and this particular game was insane. I'm the farthest from a Nationals fan and I made sure that I was seated in a bar to watch this kid make his MLB debut. I had read all the stories, saw all the grainy footage from the minors and college, but it was time to see if he was the real deal, and man did he look like it. Sports Illustrated said it was "the most hyped pitching debut the game has ever seen." which is saying something.
14 Ks in his debut, including striking out future MLB Hall Of Famer and longtime stoolie, Lastings Milledge for his first career K. The stat line was pretty good for Stras, seven innings, four hits, 14 Ks, two earned runs, 0 walks, and his first career win. He closed out his appearance by striking out the last seven Pirates he saw, dominating stuff from the young kid. The crowd was electric, fans were on their feet the whole time, Nationals fans who had cheered Cal Ripken just 15 years prior were decked from head to toe in their Stras gear, DC was on fire that night.
He did end the year on a sour note and had to have Tommy John due to torn ligaments, and we know the rest of the story. Shutdown in the playoffs and battling injuries. He's a damn good pitcher, but will he ever live up to the hype that was placed on him? He's only 30 so there is plenty of time for him to fulfill that potential.