Stephen Strasburg World Series hero Nationals officially retires injuries

Former Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg officially retires from MLB after injuries cut his career short. World Series MVP in 2019.

Stephen Strasburg, the former Washington Nationals star pitcher, officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball on Sunday. This decision comes nearly eight months after his initial plans to step away from the game were revealed. Strasburg, who is 35 years old, had an impressive career with a record of 113-62, a 3.24 ERA, and 1,723 strikeouts over 1,470 innings. However, injuries limited him to just seven starts between 2020-22, with none in the last season.

One of the highlights of Strasburg's career was being named the MVP of the 2019 World Series, where the Nationals emerged victorious against the Houston Astros in seven games. In a statement released on Sunday, Strasburg expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play for the Nationals, the only team he has ever known. He acknowledged that while he wishes he could have played more games, he is content with the effort he gave on the field.

Drafted first overall by the Nationals in 2009, Strasburg made his MLB debut the following year. However, his rookie season was cut short due to Tommy John surgery after just 12 starts. He bounced back from the surgery and established himself as one of the top pitchers in the league, earning three All-Star selections and three top-10 finishes in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

In 2019, Strasburg led the NL with 18 wins and 209 innings, setting career highs in both categories. He excelled in the postseason, going 5-0 in six starts, including two wins in the World Series. Reflecting on his journey, Strasburg expressed gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and medical staff for helping him achieve his childhood dream of winning a World Series.

After signing a lucrative seven-year, $245 million contract with the Nationals, injuries continued to plague Strasburg. He made just two starts in 2020 and five starts in 2021 before undergoing thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. His final appearance in June 2022 ended with a loss to the Marlins, where he surrendered seven runs in 4.2 innings before returning to the injured list.

Reports of Strasburg's retirement surfaced in August, with a scheduled press conference that never took place due to contract negotiations. Ultimately, Strasburg and the Nationals reached a settlement that will see the team pay out the remaining balance of his contract, which was set to pay him $35 million annually from 2024-26.

Mike Rizzo, the Nationals' general manager and president of baseball operations, praised Strasburg for his contributions to the team and acknowledged him as one of the best players in Nationals history. As Strasburg bids farewell to the game, he leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, excellence, and a World Series victory that will forever be etched in baseball history.