After watching the World Series the past few nights and watching former beloved Nationals starter Max Scherzer still dealing at the age of 41, it's hard not to get flashbacks of better days with the Washington Nationals. Just 6 years ago, around this time, the team was on the verge of going to a winner-take-all Game 7 in Houston, and now there is almost nobody left in the organization from that time.
Of course, back on this day in 2019, World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg was the star of the night and the series, saving the Nationals from the brink of elimination after the team somehow managed to lose all 3 games at home in Washington before heading back to Houston for what everyone thought would be their funeral in Game 6.
Fast forward 6 seasons, and despite Strasburg signing a massive 7-year, $245 million contract in that ensuing offseason, the former #1 overall pick is now retired from baseball due to a slew of lingering health issues. However, as of just a couple days ago, Strasburg is now back in baseball, but not in the capacity many would guess.
As of Monday, Strasburg's alma mater, San Diego State University, announced that Strasburg had been hired by the school as a special assistant to head baseball coach Kevin Vance. But what exactly will Strasburg be doing as he prepares to head back to school? The Associated Press had the answers below.
As part of the move, Strasburg "will lend his support to all aspects of the Aztec baseball program, including fundraising and special events, along with alumni and donor relations. In addition, he will serve as a team mentor to improve the student-athlete experience, while offering assistance in pitching development."
It truly is a wonderful thing that Strasburg had physically recovered enough from his injuries to make himself comfortable around the game again, as reports before he retired indicated that his body had begun to physically break down in many ways after battling lots of injuries throughout his career.
Of course, if he was still pitching in the big leagues, Strasburg would be preparing to enter the final 2 years of the 7-year deal he signed back in 2019, and perhaps would be putting the cherry on top of a Hall of Fame resume. While he will likely come up short of Cooperstown, he is still one of the greatest players in Nationals history, and likely will eventually have his #37 retired by the organization.
What do you think of Stephen Strasburg finding his way back to baseball? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.