There is no doubt that Stephen Strasburg, the 2009 first overall pick by the Nationals, played a pivotal role on the team for years. Yes, he struggled with injuries a lot in his career, including having to get the devastating Tommy John surgery his rookie year. His injury problems were a huge constant blow to the team and its fans. But the team and the fans, who had been awaiting a postseason appearance for the first time since moving to DC, knew Stras would be the solution to making the playoffs.
He made his long-awaited Major League debut just 364 days after the Nationals drafted him. He excelled in college at San Diego State University, where Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn coached him, and in his MLB debut, oh boy, did he shine. In just seven innings of work, he struck out 14 Pittsburgh Pirates, allowed two runs on four hits, and didn't walk an opposing batter. The anticipation for greatness built, and although injury cut his rookie season short, he returned to keep the Nationals struggling with pitching.
In his 13 years of service time, all with the Nationals, he only started 30+ games in three seasons--but in those fully healthy seasons in 2013, 2014, and 2019, he absolutely dominated. Striking out 191, 242, and 251 batters in each of those seasons, respectively. In 2012, the season in which the Nationals made their first playoff appearance, he moved to DC.
Strasburg pitched in 28 games, nearly a full, healthy season; he pitched to a 15- 6 record, a 3.16 ERA, and struck out 197 batters. The Nationals held him out of the postseason due to health concerns, which may have been the reason the team, which had the best record in all of baseball, was booted out of the playoffs in five games by the St. Louis Cardinals.
No one questioned Strasburg’s greatness as a pitcher, and some argue against retiring his number because of his injury history, but you know who else battled injuries and still got his number retired? Ryan Zimmerman. Sure, the Nationals drafted Zimmerman first, but Strasburg became the first No. 1 overall pick in franchise history.
Strasburg brought excitement to the team, the fans, and a winning culture. Fans adored him, and he helped the Nationals/Expos franchise capture its first-ever World Series title. He won the World Series MVP, and when a player like Strasburg fights through injuries throughout his career but dominates when healthy, that kind of impact deserves franchise recognition forever.