Strasburg, 2019 World Series MVP for Nationals, announces retirement

Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg announced his retirement on Sunday, bringing an end to his injury-filled career. The 35-year-old, who was named the World Series MVP in 2019, cited ongoing injuries as the reason for his decision to step away from the game.

Strasburg led the Nationals to their only World Series title in 2019, but since then, he has struggled with injuries, pitching just 31 1/3 innings in eight starts. Despite his limited playing time in recent years, Strasburg leaves behind an impressive legacy, with a career record of 113-62 and a 3.24 ERA over 13 seasons.

General manager Mike Rizzo praised Strasburg as one of the greatest pitchers in Nationals history, saying, “When he was on the mound, he was as good as any pitcher in baseball — ever.” Strasburg’s dominant performance in the 2019 postseason, where he went 5-0 with a 1.98 ERA, will be remembered as one of the highlights of his career.

In his retirement statement, Strasburg expressed gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and fans for their support throughout his career. He acknowledged that while he wishes he could have played more games, he is proud to have given his all to the Nationals, the only team he has ever known.

As Strasburg begins this new chapter in his life, fans and teammates alike are reflecting on his contributions to the team and the sport. Nationals owner Mark Lerner praised Strasburg for his growth as a player and a person, while manager Dave Martinez remembered him as a true competitor who always gave his best on the field.