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Baseball World Reacts To Shocking News Of Star Pitcher’s Early Retirement

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Washington Nationals star pitcher Stephen Strasburg is calling is a career at the age of 35.

Strasburg, a former No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft and can’t-miss prospect out of San Diego State, has not pitched since June 9, 2022 while dealing with symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.

The San Diego Native is a three-time MLB All-Star and helped lead the Nats to the 2019 World Series championship, earning World Series MVP honors along the way.

But with injuries piling up and an uncertain future, Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post reports that Strasburg has thrown his final pitch in the major leagues.

“A news conference is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 9 at Nationals Park, before the Nationals play the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft, Strasburg pitched just 31⅓ innings after signing a seven-year, $245 million contract in December 2019,” Svrluga writes. “And since undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in 2021 — a procedure that included the removal of a rib and two neck muscles — he logged just 4⅔ innings, all in one start that led to more pain and tingling in his shoulder and neck.”

Fans quickly filled Twitter with an outpouring of fond memories.

“The man who made us believe in Nationals baseball with one of the best debuts ever. One of the best postseason pitchers ever. World Series MVP. Nothing but the best for this legend. We love you Stras,” @TalkinNats wrote.

“Strasburg’s debut at Nats Park might be the best game I’ve ever been to. Electric atmosphere and he pitched lights out. Sad end to his career today,” said @GRosenstein.”

And that was just the start.

Strasburg finishes his standout MLB career with a 113-62 record, 3.24 earned run average and 1,723 strikeouts. He was an integral part of legitimizing the Washington Nationals franchise and was a major part of their World Series run.