Stephen Strasburg Is Human
June 14, 2010 in athletes, baseball
For those of you who have been living under a rock this baseball season, Stephen Strasburg is a young, rookie pitcher who was drafted by the Nationals in the most lucrative rookie contract to date. He completely blazed through the minors and in his first start in the bigs, went 7 innings with 14ks. There are guys who are very dominating pitchers that don’t hit those type of numbers. His second start was more of the same. 5 1/3 innings, 8k and 1 run. He had issues with the mound which caused a little control issues leading to 3 walks before he was removed from the game. The guy is no doubt good, but people need to realize he is human, not a magic man.
My case in point: During his second game with the Indians, Strasburg had to cover 1st base while Adam Dunn fielded a ground ball. Strasburg did everything as he was tough, like every other pitcher in the bigs. He did make a diving out, he didn’t make a spectacular pick at the bag, he just ran over, caught the easy toss and stepped on the bag. Dennis Eckersley, who was announcing the game, almost had an aneurysm he was so excited about this kid. During this play at first, Eckersley comment this kid not only can pitch, but has a natural athletic ability and even makes routine plays look easy.
Give me a break people! I am not doubting this kid can pitch. I actually believe he will either throw a no hitter, or a 20k game by the end of the season. The ball explodes out of his had, 100+ MPH, curve that completely drops off the table, and one of the nastiest change ups that falls away from lefties and into righties. He is literally near unhittable. And Pudge behind the plate calling the game with only advance him.
But the kid isn’t God. He covered first base like a typical pitcher, par at best. He bats like a typical pitcher. He fields like a typical pitcher. He doesn’t pitch like a typical pitcher. Baseball analysis people need to stop making him out to be some Bo Jackson type phenom who can take on an entire team by himself and win.
Again, I am not knocking the kid’s ability. He is amazing. He can go deep in the game, has crazy stuff, is more level headed than some veterans, and sells tickets. But he isn’t the second coming. The way people talk about him if he makes one fielding error, they are going to rag on him that he didn’t live up to the hype. He is human. Let the kid pitch and enjoy his pitching.