The news today regarding Stephen Strasburg, apparently headed toward Tommy John surgery, seems to validate the overcautious approach taken by the Washington Nationals to Strasburg’s rookie season. Too many examples abound of young pitchers flaming out in recent years to not think that way.
Right? More on that later.
We already had Strasburg on his way to the Hall of Fame before he was done with his first start, a 14-strikeout domination of the Pittsburgh Pirates back in June. Much as we had Kerry Wood in the Hall when he struck out 20 in a one-hitter at age 20. He was the next Nolan Ryan, only better, before his arm blew out, and he’s struggled to regain his early-career magic since.
Others who were brilliant and then flamed out quickly: Dwight Gooden, Steve Avery, Mark Prior, Mark Fidrych (remember him, The Bird?).
Link to column on VaSportsOnline.com.
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Chris Graham
