Stephen Strasburg, the starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals and the 2019 World Series MVP, has officially announced his retirement from baseball after 13 seasons in the league. Strasburg was a key player in leading the Nationals to their first-ever World Series title in 2019, where he went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA in five postseason starts, two of which were against the Houston Astros in the championship round. Despite this success, Strasburg’s career was plagued with injuries that ultimately led to his decision to retire.
Throughout his career, Strasburg earned three All-Star selections and won a total of 113 games with a 3.24 ERA, while averaging an impressive 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. His professional debut in 2009 generated a lot of buzz, as he recorded 14 strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates. As the No. 1 pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, Strasburg was hailed as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball history, and for the most part, he lived up to that hype throughout his career.
Despite his talent and success on the field, Strasburg’s career was marred by various injuries, including a Tommy John surgery midway through his rookie year, carpal tunnel surgery in 2020, and ongoing issues with thoracic outlet syndrome since 2022. This condition is characterized by the compression of nerves or blood vessels in the lower neck and upper chest, making it difficult for athletes like Strasburg to perform at their best.
Due to his persistent health issues, Strasburg had only pitched 4 ⅔ innings since June 9, 2022, making it clear that retirement was the best decision for his future. He signed a lucrative seven-year, $245 million extension with the Nationals in December 2019 after his standout performance in the World Series. However, his ongoing health struggles led to a financial settlement between Strasburg and the franchise that is said to be in the best interest of both parties.
Despite the premature end to his career, Stephen Strasburg made a significant impact on baseball, especially during the Nationals’ historic 2019 World Series victory. His talent, work ethic, and resilience in the face of injuries will be remembered by fans and players alike. While his retirement marks the end of a chapter in his life, Strasburg’s legacy as one of the most talented pitchers in baseball history will live on.
