Stephen Strasburg Debuts Tonight
by Scipio Tex on Jun 8, 2010 1:10 PM CDT
in Texas Longhorns and Other Baseball
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PrintI generally view televised MLB as a trip to the dentist's chair, but I'm not immune to the hype. And tonight the hype lands in Washington DC.
The Nationals have already issued 187 media credentials - about the same as a World Series game, and they're anticipating a sell-out. One of many on the horizon when Strasburg throws. Like most, I'm intrigued by Strasburg's otherworldly talent and wonder if he is a once-in-a-lifetime guy. Curt Schilling was quoted as saying that he's "never seen anything like Strasburg" and that "he might be the best pitcher in the major leagues as soon as he arrives."
Overhype from the Bloody Sock? Perhaps. But it's in keeping with all of the expectations that have been placed on Strasburg by scouts, GMs, and baseball observers since he began dominating at San Diego State.
It's not so much that Strasburg was born with a rocket launcher for a right arm - a major league fastball between 95-100 isn't exactly unknown - it's that he's able to get movement on that pitch and then he pairs it with a wicked curve and good control. His change-up is particularly humiliating once he gets hitters primed for his fastball. In the minor leagues, Strasburg compiled a 7-2 record with a 1.30 ERA, 65 strikeouts in 55 innings. One can speculate if it's an early call-up, but the kid appears to have it. You don't put the four corners on greatness.
The Washington Nationals (27-31) are preparing for a playoff atmosphere against the punchless Pittsburgh Pirates tonight and though I'd be shocked to see Strasburg go more than 85 pitches or 6 innings, the spectacle should be well worth a watch. The zoo begins this afternoon on ESPN at 2:30pm CST with a special Strasburg preview on Baseball Tonight followed by the game at 6:00pm CST on the MLB network. Expect lots of superlatives and wild-eyed former major league greats comparing him to Bob Gibson, Roger Clemens, and Bob Feller.
And if the Strasburg hype wasn't enough, the Nationals just selected 17 year old hitting phenom Bryce Harper #1. Harper famously got his GED rather than complete his last two years of high school so that he could play JUCO ball for the College of Southern Nevada where he hit .443 with 31 home runs and 20 steals in 66 games. Scouts are already calling him a once in a decade hitting talent, something they manage only to find a dozen times a year.
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Wait a minute. What would happen if Strasburg faced Harper?
I’m reminded of: “Ditka vs a hurricane.” “Ditka, of course.” “But wait, the hurricane’s name is, Hurricane Ditka.”
Still not enough for me to watch insomnia’s cure, and I’m a soccer fan.
by magnusbleuveigner on Jun 8, 2010 1:19 PM CDT reply actions
I enjoy spectacle. Andre The Giant. Battle of the Network Stars. Any Mike Tyson fight.
Seeing a guy’s MLB debut who is being described in terms usually reserved for Hall of Famer is sufficient motivation.
That written, there’s a 99% chance I’ll be multi-tasking while watching.
by Scipio Tex on Jun 8, 2010 1:23 PM CDT reply actions
It’s questionable how this is going to go. Tim Lincecum’s debut was less than sterling, while Prior pitched quite well before getting shelled a week later.
It’s funny all the hype surrounding this game, when Ubaldo Jimenez is essentially doing things with a baseball that nobody has seen since they lowered the mound after the 1968 season. In near total obscurity in Colorado, no less.
by bateshorn on Jun 8, 2010 1:29 PM CDT reply actions
there’s a 99% chance I’ll be multi-tasking while watching.
. . . on your fancy new iPad, no doubt.
by parlin on Jun 8, 2010 1:35 PM CDT reply actions
Multi-tasking = Masturbation
Scipio is all talent.
Bryce Harper’s 31 home runs came in a wooden bat league.
by The General on Jun 8, 2010 1:39 PM CDT reply actions
Yeah, Harper is a beast. I think there are legitimate questions about how he’ll grow over the next few years: Joe Mauer or Adam Dunn? And he’s supposed to be an asshole of world class proportions.
Of course, if I could hit a baseball like he can, I’d probably be an asshole of world class proportions as well.
by bateshorn on Jun 8, 2010 1:43 PM CDT reply actions
I think the hype is too much. I am ashamed to admit that baseball is my favorite sport but hype has no place for a rookie pitcher on a sub .500 team. There is no way this guy can be as good as Lincecum. Even if he is, so what? Nobody cares much about Lincecum either.
Strasburg will be 23 next season. Lincecum was 23 when we went 18-5, 2.62 ERA, 265Ks in 227 innings.
by dick on Jun 8, 2010 1:51 PM CDT reply actions
“The zoo begins this afternoon on ESPN at 2:30pm CST with a special Strasburg preview on Baseball Tonight followed by the game at 6:00pm CST on the MLB network”
— Scipion
by dick on Jun 8, 2010 2:09 PM CDT reply actions
That written, there’s a 99% chance I’ll be multi-tasking while watching.
You get half of every inning off.
by admin on Jun 8, 2010 2:26 PM CDT reply actions
Strasburg will be 23 next season. Lincecum was 23 when we went 18-5, 2.62 ERA, 265Ks in 227 innings.
Yeah, but now little Stephen has that education from SDSU to fall back on, which is priceless.
by uthookem on Jun 8, 2010 2:31 PM CDT reply actions
re: Harper
Baseball players are assholes of epic proportions. They make Golf Prick look like Drew Breesus.
by ColoradoAg on Jun 8, 2010 2:40 PM CDT reply actions
I think Lincecum went to college too.
Yes, it’s a requirement to be an arrogant assshole of epic proportions to be great at baseball. It takes more than cockiness. That’s why I love Augie as our coach.
by dick on Jun 8, 2010 2:44 PM CDT reply actions
Strasburg’s statline:
7 IP, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 14 strikeouts, 0 BB. 2.67 ERA. Gave up a dinger.
Two strikeouts an inning. Damn.
by Scipio Tex on Jun 8, 2010 7:44 PM CDT reply actions
To qoute the Sports Junkie’s: That’s a show.
Wow, looking forward to watching the boys hyperventilate on Baseball Tonight.
by bateshorn on Jun 8, 2010 8:47 PM CDT reply actions
I caught the highlights. He’s totally dominant.
by Scipio Tex on Jun 9, 2010 12:42 AM CDT reply actions
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