The Stephen Strasburg campaign has begun.
Not for anything as mundane as president, but something seemingly improbable for a guy making his fourth career start Wednesday vs. Kansas City — a spot in the All-Star Game.
The Washington Nationals pitcher is obviously the great talent everyone expected. He struck out 14 batters in his debut and 10 in his third start. His 1.86 ERA includes two first-row homers that ricocheted off power pitches.
But the All-Star Game for someone who has been in the majors for two weeks? It’s one thing to suddenly name sandwiches after Strasburg and make every fifth day a local holiday when he pitches. However, Strasburg should be left out of this All-Star showcase because it might be the last midsummer vacation he gets.
Strasburg is 2-0 in three games. That’s not an All-Star bid, it’s a good 10 days. Two games were against American League teams. How about waiting until he gets a second and third turn around the National League before naming the ballpark after him.
This isn’t hating on Strasburg. The rookie is the best thing to happen to Washington baseball since Ted Williams’ 1969 arrival to manage the Senators. But naming him to the Midsummer Classic seems premature seeing as how he’ll barely have a month of service before the July 13 game.
There exists plenty of politics around this selection. The team gets at least one representative and no one else is close despite the fact that grown men are sitting on the mezzanine floor punching stacks of ballots.
Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn and Ivan Rodriguez are worthy candidates. Indeed, where would the Nats be without Pudge? He came through yet again on Monday, saving a 2-1 victory over Kansas City with a brilliant pickoff throw to second base that scuttled a two-on, no-out rally.
Still, Strasburg is among the top pitchers, so fellow NL teams want his help to win this game and secure home-field advantage for the World Series. That’s worth something to NL manager Charlie Manuel, whose Philadelphia Phillies are a playoff contender. It means nothing to the sub-.500 Nats, though.
The team probably would prefer Strasburg not even go. The plan is to give him a week off so he can pitch deeper into September. The All-Star Game may eliminate one start even if he pitches to just one batter. And one less full house can mean more than $1 million in lost revenue to the Nats. Even if Strasburg doesn’t pitch, sending him cross-country to Anaheim for the game reduces that long break.
There will be other All-Star appearances for Strasburg. This one is just a little too much, too soon.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
