Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is officially retiring after 13 seasons in Washington… with the 2019 World Series MVP saying he ‘left everything for the only team I’ve known’
- Strasburg has not pitched since June 2022 due to nerve issues
- He won the World Series with the Nationals in 2019 and was named MVP
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Stephen Strasburg, one of the most dominant pitching aces of his era, has officially announced his retirement from baseball.
Strasburg spent his entire career with the Washington Nationals and reached a settlement with the team that allowed him to retire.
He then confirmed the news in his own statement: “Today I announce my retirement from the game I love.
‘After repeated attempts to pitch again, I realized that due to injuries I can no longer perform at the Major League level.
“As a young kid, all I dreamed of was winning a World Series. Thanks to the many coaches, teammates and medical staff, my boyhood dream became reality in 2019.
Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has officially retired from baseball
He spent his entire career with Washington but had not pitched since June 2022
Strasburg was named World Series MVP in 2019 when the Nationals defeated the Astros
“While this is a personal goal of mine, I have come to realize how important and special that moment was for not many fans in the DMV. Your unwavering support through all the ups and downs will always mean a lot to me.
“I would also like to thank the late Ted Lerner and his family for giving me the opportunity to wear the curly W all these years.
“While I always wish there were more games to be played, I find comfort in knowing that I left it all for the only team I have known.
“My family and I are fortunate and blessed to experience this baseball journey in the nation’s Capitol. As always, Go Nats! #37.’
In a separate statement, team owner Mark Lerner wrote: “Stephen Strasburg is and always will be an important part of the Washington Nationals franchise. We will support him in every decision he makes and ensure he gets what he deserves.”
A former No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, Strasburg finished his career with 247 games played and a career 3.24 ERA.
He made three All-Star games and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2012. Strasburg’s biggest achievement was winning the 2019 World Series in seven games against the Houston Astros – a feat that earned him the MVP Award for that year’s Fall Classic.
Strasburg hasn’t pitched since June 2022. He suffered from neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (a compression of the nerves in the chest cavity) and had a rib and two neck muscles removed to relieve his pain.