I don't think it's a stretch to call tonight's 5-2 win over the Pirates - behind Steven Strasburg's 14 strikeouts - the best Nats game ever.
The only comparable games are probably the first game in 2005. Or perhaps the first game in Nats Park, won by Ryan Zimmerman's walk off homer.
But after both of those games the horizon for Washington baseball did not look as promising as the one you could see from this game.
Strasburg was almost better than advertised. It's hard to imagine how you keep your emotions in check and stay in control on a night like tonight. Not only is it your major league debut, which is intimidating enough for many players. But to debut with so much hype, attention and hope - and still excel - is very impressive.
Strasburg was as emotionally cool as his pitching was hot. And he was very hot. His fast ball was clocked at 101 miles an hour. His change up was clutch, and his pitches had so much late movement. Tonight Strasburg was like a cross between Nolan Ryan's speed and aggressiveness with Greg Maddux's late movement and command. Heck of a combo.
Finally, his numbers tell the story: 14 strikeouts, 0 walks, 2 runs in 7 innings; one win.
How cool was it to see the Nats best young hitter, Zimmerman, remind folks that he's still the teams best (position) player, getting 3 hits, scoring 3 runs and going deep in his first at bat.
It was a great win and a great night. Strasburg dealing, and 3 bombs from the Nats bats.
But more importantly, it was tangible proof that we may actually have a real baseball team in town. How cool is that?
2 comments:
Athan: Did you wet yourself at anytime during the game? BTW...Strasburg isn't a Greek.
Glad you had fun!
Suz
What a game. It was amazing to be there. With maybe the exception of the last home game of the 10 game win streak back in 2005 or the opener at the new stadium, it was unlike any other game I'd been to - ever, anywhere. But it was better than those games.
We've seen the stadium full a few times before, but usually with fans for other teams (myself included when the Red Sox were here last summer). This was different, it was full of Nats fans all the way up the the last rows of the Upper Deck. It made it all the more better. And any time Strasburg got to 2 strikes on a batter the crowd was on it's feet, and we stayed standing through his last inning. And he delivered - 14 times! Everyone just ate it up. You don't see that too often. A great night for baseball.
On another note, this has been a great year for pitchers. Halladay, Ubaldo, Braden, Gallarago, even Livan Hernandez, and now Strasburg. And if it keeps up the way it's been going, it will likely be remembered as the true end of the steroid era. Last year was about dopers coming clean. This year it's about getting back to real baseball. Strasburg's debut was probably the last nail in the coffin for steroids.
Post a Comment