World Series champion pitcher Stephen Strasburg announced his retirement after a career with the Washington Nationals that was marked by injuries. He thanked his coaches, teammates, and fans for their support throughout his career. Strasburg was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Nationals in 2010 and helped lead the team to a World Series title in 2019. Despite battling injuries in recent seasons, he finished his career with 1,723 strikeouts and a 3.24 ERA. He was named World Series MVP in 2019 after striking out 14 Houston Astros batters and recording a 2.51 ERA in two starts.
The Nationals principal owner, Mark D. Lerner, expressed his gratitude for Strasburg’s contributions to the team and credited him with putting the organization on the map as World Champions. The team’s GM and president of baseball operations, Mike Rizzo, also congratulated Strasburg on an incredible career, noting his impact on the ball club and his status as one of the best players in Nationals history. Strasburg’s retirement was officially listed by MLB on Saturday, bringing an end to his time with the only team he had known since being drafted out of San Diego State.
Despite the disappointment of injuries cutting his career short, Strasburg expressed gratitude for his time in Washington, highlighting the special moment of winning a World Series and the importance of the fans’ support. He thanked the late Ted Lerner and his family for giving him the opportunity to play for the Nationals and reflected on leaving it all out on the field for the team. Strasburg acknowledged that while he may have wished for more games to be pitched, he was comforted by the memories and experiences he and his family had during his baseball journey in the Nation’s Capitol.
Strasburg’s impact on the team and the sport of baseball was praised by those within the organization, with both Lerner and Rizzo recognizing his contributions both on and off the field. Lerner thanked Strasburg for the memories and the World Series title he helped bring to Washington, while Rizzo commended him for his role in leading the team to success and becoming a key player in Nationals history. Strasburg’s retirement marks the end of an era for the pitcher and the team, with fans and colleagues alike wishing him the best in his future endeavors.
In his retirement announcement, Strasburg expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to pitch for the team he had always known. Despite the challenges of injuries that kept him off the mound for much of the end of his career, Strasburg remains thankful for the experience and the support he received from fans, coaches, teammates, and the organization as a whole. The impact he had on the Nationals, both as a player and as a person, will be remembered for years to come, with his contributions to the team’s success and his lasting legacy as one of the best players in Washington Nationals history.
