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Washington Nationals: Players Compared To Anime Characters

By Max Rayman

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Adam Eaton #2 of the Washington Nationals holds the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Adam Eaton #2 of the Washington Nationals holds the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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Washington Nationals
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 28: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the first inning of an MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on May 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Stephen Strasburg: Roronoa Zoro

If Max Scherzer is Monkey D. Luffy, then Stephen Strasburg is Roronoa Zoro. Zoro is Luffy’s righthand man and first mate of the Straw Hat pirates. Known for being one of the strongest swordsmen in the anime, Zoro is fully capable of taking on some of the toughest opponents and could lead his own crew, if he wanted. Instead, he teamed up with Luffy because he believed in his ideals. Early on in the anime, Zoro suffered multiple devastating injuries. He was bested in battle by the strongest swordsman Dracule Mihawk and this led to him being unable to help out against the Don Krieg pirates. His initial injury lingered, leading him to struggle against the Arlong Pirates. Eventually, he was able to fully recover and since then, has yet to be beaten.

Similarly, Strasburg is the co-ace of the Nationals rotation and one of the best pitchers in the league. Early on in his career, he suffered multiple injuries; most notably he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011. From 2015-2018, Strasburg spent a stint on the IL, costing his team in the long run. Finally, in 2019 Strasburg was able to stay fully healthy. In return, he posted the best year of his career, going 18-6, with a 3.32 ERA, and 251 strikeouts. His performance helped lead his team back to the postseason. In the playoffs, Strasburg went 5-0, with a 1.98 ERA, and 47 strikeouts, with his team going on to win the World Series. Strasburg was named World Series MVP. After the season ended, Strasburg was a free agent and had the opportunity to leave to anchor another team’s pitching staff. Instead, he decided to stay in D.C. for the next seven years.

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