After a remarkable career that included a World Series championship, three All-Star selections, and numerous accolades, right-hander Stephen Strasburg has announced his retirement from baseball, as announced by the Nationals on Sunday.
Strasburg, 35, leaves behind a legacy marked by a 113-62 record and a 3.24 ERA in 247 starts. His last game was on June 9, 2022, as he battled thoracic outlet syndrome, which kept him off the field.
In a statement, managing principal owner Mark Lerner expressed gratitude, saying, “On behalf of the Lerner – Cohen – Tanenbaum family, I’d like to thank Stephen for all he’s done for the Washington Nationals.” Lerner continued, “It was a privilege to watch him grow as a player and a person throughout his illustrious career.
He gave us so many memories that will live in our hearts forever. No one can dispute the indelible impact he had on our organization. He put us on the map as World Champions and changed the face of our franchise. Thank you, Stephen — for everything — and congratulations on a tremendous career.”
Baseball legend and WS MVP Strasburg announces his retirement from the game
Strasburg was the top pick in the 2009 Draft from San Diego State University. His Major League debut followed closely on June 8, 2010, marking the beginning of his tenure as one of the Nationals’ most dominant pitchers.
From his debut through the 2019 season, Strasburg was a force on the mound, ranking third among starting pitchers with 10.60 strikeouts per nine innings, a .352 opponents’ slugging percentage, and a .631 opponents’ OPS, among other notable stats.
He achieved a milestone by becoming the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 1,500 career strikeouts, achieving this in just 1,272 1/3 innings pitched.
Strasburg’s shining moment came during the Nationals’ 2019 World Series journey when he made history by going 5-0 in a single postseason.
His remarkable 1.98 ERA, along with 47 strikeouts to just four walks, left opponents struggling, going 0-for-22 with runners in scoring position. After this phenomenal postseason, Strasburg signed a then-record seven-year, $245 million contract.
Despite these successes, injuries took a toll on the latter part of Strasburg’s career. Following the 2019 season, he pitched just 31 1/3 innings, making eight starts over three seasons. In August 2020, Strasburg underwent season-ending carpal tunnel surgery due to numbness in his throwing hand.
A year later, in July 2021, he underwent thoracic outlet surgery. Strasburg returned to the mound 11 months later, pitching 4 2/3 innings in Miami, which would be his final big league start.
Stephen Strasburg leaves behind a lasting legacy in baseball, remembered for his postseason heroics, record-breaking achievements, and significant contributions to the Washington Nationals franchise.
