It's a Strasburg kind of day

It’s a Strasburg kind of day, eh?

Everywhere you look.

TV. Check.  Radio. Check.  Twitter.  Check.  Facebook. Check.  Forums and Blogs. Check. 

It’s everywhere, even on opposing team blogs and forums.

In fact, in a Google news search, you can read over 1800 articles on Mr. Strasburg’s debut debut.  Got the time?

So one day removed from the drafting by the Washington Nationals of another phenom, an offensive phenom, 17 year old Bryce Harper, all eyes turn away, and turn directly toward the ball park along the Anacostia.    

It’s all about Stephen Strasburg today.

The chatter and talk on the Web is abuzz for the most anticipated major league debut in a number of decades; the of Nationals 2009 first round pick Stephen Strasburg.  I can imagine what TV ratings are going to be like.  You can bet DC Metro is going to be much  busier than usual, with an expected complete sellout at Nationals Park.

But for us, the Washington Nationals fan base, this is much more than a phenom’s debut.  It is much more than amazement and intrigue into the much talked and hyped pitcher from San Diego, California.  It is much more than witnessing the debut of a kid that dominated College baseball and blew away minor league baseball with 100MPH+ fastballs. 

To us, the Washington Nationals fan base, it is about the gaining of an identity.  An identity of a true baseball franchise.  Yes, we have Ryan Zimmerman.  Yes, Ryan Zimmerman is good.  Damn good.  And yes, absolutely, we love Ryan Zimmerman.

BUT, let’s face it.  Zim is NOT Stephen Strasburg.  Strasburg will fill Nationals Park and the jersey and merchandise sales will make Mark and Ted Lerner do flips.  You can already see a ton of Strasburg merchandise already.  It’s only just begun. 

The Strasburg impressions and stamp on this franchise is profound. That is clearly evidenced by the attention of tonight.  All major league baseball eyes turn to Nationals Park. Tens of thousands of other team fans will tune in.  Stephen Strasburg is drawing attention to the Nationals franchise like no other before him. 

Stephen Strasburg is much more than hype and hoopla for us.  He is a savior of a franchise that has struggled to make its mark in its new home, mostly because of repetitive losing and disappointment.  It’s kind of hard to gain a new fan base when a team has been so awful. 

However, starting tonight, all things change.  Stephen Strasburg arrives in Washington, and with him flows an abundance of hope, hope for baseball in the Nation’s Capital.      

Enjoy it!  Because you will relive it one day soon when the Nationals declare National Harper Day.