MLB phenom

It can’t get much better for two brand spanking new major leaguers than the success they’ve had since the draft. Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 in just seven innings including the last seven batters in a row that he faced, the last with a 99mph fastball. The 21 year old’s accomplishment is a franchise record (OK, so the Nationals have only been around since 2005) and his opponent was the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that bats 0.236, but every single batter he faced last night struck out at least once. It also taught the Nationals an important lesson- their strikeout board in center field can only show up to 12 strikeouts! Let’s not forget the most remarkable fact of the night- the Washington Nationals actually sold out a game. That only happened one other time so far this season: Opening Day, and now owners and players are probably looking forward to at least a packed stadium every 5th night.

And how about getting a grand slam on your first MLB at bat? Not to mention, on the first pitch you saw! That’s what happened to Daniel Nava. His family even blew off their younger son’s college graduation to be there- we know who the favorite in the family is! Great story about this guy too- he started high school at 4’8” and 70 pounds. The doctor prescribed some growth hormone but he still didn’t see a growth spurt until his sophomore year in college. A little too late- he was cut from the baseball team his freshman year. He left the school because he couldn’t afford the tuition, played two years at a JC, then returned on a scholarship to Santa Clara his senior year. No team drafted him but he went to play for the Chico Outlaws. In 2007, the Red Sox signed him for the baller amount of $1. Yep, I didn’t even know the draft had a dollar menu. Fast forward three years and it’s finally paid off for him.