Nationals History: Stephen Strasburg In The 2008 Olympics

Today, we take a look back to when Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg was at San Diego State, pitching for Team USA in the 2008 Olympics

Last night, Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg lost his second game of the season against the San Francisco Giants. Today, I wanted to take a look back at something Strasburg accomplished before he made it to the big leagues. Earlier this week, the IOC put baseball back in the Olympics as part of five sports that will be played in Tokyo, Japan in 2020.

Back in 2008, when the Olympics were in Beijing, China, Strasburg had just finished his sophomore season at San Diego State (8-3, 1.57 ERA, 133 strikeouts in 13 starts).The current Washington Nationals right-hander was one of 12 pitchers named to the team that was managed by future Washington Nationals manager, Davey Johnson. Another coach on that staff was Rick Eckstein, who would end up being the Washington Nationals hitting coach from 2009-2013.

When you look at that roster, Strasburg was the only college player to be on a roster filled with minor leaguers. As was shown earlier this week, other future Major Leaguers that were on the roster were current Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler and starting pitcher Jake Arrieta:

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His first start of the tournament came on August 13, 2008 against the Netherlands. Earlier in the day, team USA lost to South Korea, 8-7 when South Korea rallied to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth. But, Strasburg put up a great outing against the Netherlands later in the day.

In that start, Strasburg was dominant as he gave up only one hit over seven innings and struck out 11 as Team USA won 7-0 in an eight-inning game (shortened due to rain). Strasburg had a no-hitter through six innings, but Sharnol Adriana ended up breaking up the no-hit bid with a one out single in the seventh.

Nine days later, Strasburg was the starter for Team USA in the semifinals against a Cuba lineup that had a future Major Leaguer in Hector Olivera and one who could be in the Majors soon in Yulieski Gourriel (now in the Astros organization).

Next: Strasburg Roughed Up In Loss To Giants

That start didn’t go so well as Strasburg went four innings, gave up three runs on six hits, and struck out five as Cuba won the game 8-2. Team USA did end up taking the bronze medal in Beijing when they defeated Japan two days later, 8-4.

Even though Major League players won’t likely be in Tokyo four years from now, I am glad the Olympics will have baseball again. It is an opportunity for players like Strasburg to get some experience playing on an international stage. It will be interesting which Washington Nationals minor leaguers, if any, will be playing in the 2020 Olympic Games.