Back where he caught it, Adams recalls Strasburg's last start

MIAMI – The Nationals just so happened to be heading back to Miami after the news broke. They were wrapping up their series against the Yankees in New York and about to board a flight to South Beach when it was reported that Stephen Strasburg was planning to retire.

Then ironically enough, the baseball gods had them at loanDepot Park the next, the site of what is now Strasburg’s last major league start.

And as Riley Adams prepared to take the field behind the plate against the Marlins, he recalled when he did the same thing on June 9, 2022, in this very ballpark to catch Strasburg.

“It was actually here that his start was,” Adams said. “So yeah, it's obviously a little bittersweet knowing that that was the last start. I've only known Stras for a little bit since I've been here. He certainly means a lot and hearing all the stories from the team in 2019 and the magical run, he played a huge part in that I think, too, growing up as a San Diego kid, you always knew Stras, you always knew how good he was. To see the career he's had, to see everything, it's really special. I kind of wish I wasn't the last guy to have caught him in a game. But I was happy at least I got to catch him in a start. But I certainly wish that wasn't the last one.”

Strasburg gave up seven runs on eight hits, a home run, two walks and a hit batter with five strikeouts over 4 ⅔ innings. The results of his 83 pitches, 53 strikes, wasn’t necessarily all that important. It was more the fact that, at the time, the often-injured ace seemed to come out of the game healthy.

Little did anyone know that would be the last time the 2019 World Series MVP would take the mound in a major league game again.

Complications from thoracic outlet syndrome have cut Strasburg’s career short. After signing a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Nats after the World Series, the right-hander made only eight starts, going 1-4 with a 6.89 ERA.

“You obviously knew how things went last year and obviously this year,” Adams said. “First and foremost, you care about him just being healthy. That's the most important part. You put aside being able to pitch in the big leagues or anything like that. It's more important for him to be healthy, for him to be able to be a dad and just be able to feel healthy. So that's certainly the biggest thing that we care about. It's just been a tough couple of months.”

As he mentioned, Adams, 27, grew up following Strasburg close as a fellow San Diego native. Although he never saw the top pitching prospect at San Diego State and went to crosstown rival the University of San Diego, the backstop couldn’t help but admire from afar as an up-and-coming catcher.

“I think any big-name baseball player like that you're always following your hometown guys. I grew up here hearing all the stories of Stras. I never was able to go out to San Diego State to see him pitch or anything like that. But you certainly heard about him all the time. Saw him in the newspapers and on TV and stuff. So he was definitely a guy that I followed closely. I think you always kind of follow the guys that are from your hometown and stuff.”

Despite the unfortunate ending, Strasburg’s career was a great one. He went 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA, 1.096 WHIP and 1,723 strikeouts in 1,470 innings over 247 regular season starts in his career. In nine postseason appearances, he went 6-2 with a 1.46 ERA, striking out 71 batters while walking only eight. He was a Cy Young Award finalist, three-time All-Star, Silver Slugger Award winner and receiver of some National League MVP votes.

Although it was only that one game catching him, Adams saw what made Strasburg one of the greats of his generation.

“He's meticulous when it comes to his preparation,” Adams said. “Obviously, that was one start I caught him last year. And he's very specific on everything he likes to do and the way he scouts guys and every little detail of everything. It's super finite. He does his research, he's prepared, and he expects a lot out of his catchers. He comes ready to work every day and put everything on the line. It's just a little sad that that was the last time. Certainly, it was an amazing career, but I think we all wish it could have been a little bit longer.”