This essay wasn’t terribly difficult mainly because I was able to write about something that I enjoy. However, one thing that I had trouble with was incorporating my sources because I had to try and fit in my last source which was kind of tricky. My first source was disagreeing with the decision to shut him down, my second source was agreeing with the decision, and my third source was agreeing and disagreeing so it was hard to make everything crisp and clear but I think I did a pretty good job. I learned how to introduce the sources better with the quote sandwiches and using a better choice of words.
Essay 2
ENG102
9/30/12
Josh Leavens
Rising Star Cut Short
The Washington Nationals haven’t won a world series since 1924, back when they were known as the Senators. They also haven’t made the postseason since the Great Depression. You would think that as time went by the Nationals would be getting some pretty high draft picks, therefore picking up some very talented players. That was just the case. They drafted Ryan Zimmerman in 2005 with the fourth overall pick and Bryce Harper in 2010 with the number one overall pick, both players have played up to their expectations. Not taking anything away from these outstanding athletes, but the one player who has made a bigger impact than both these players is power pitcher Stephen Strasburg. The Nationals drafted Strasburg with the first overall pick in 2009 and he has all but exceeded expectations. After undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery and ending his season a year ago, Strasburg has bounced back magnificently. Largely thanks to Strasburg’s pitching this season, the Nationals are at the cusp of making it to the playoffs with potential World Series hopes. However, the Nationals management has put an innings pitched limit of 170 innings on Strasburg this season, which is shutting him down right before playoffs begin in theory that it will protect his arm. I like any other Nationals fan am questioning the logic in shutting down Strasburg this early, especially when they have the kind of talent right now. By shutting Strasburg down the Nationals chances of making it to the World Series and ending their drought, tremendously decreases. Shutting down a young phenoms arm is understandable to an extent, but when the Nationals have one of the best teams in baseball with Strasburg in the rotation, ending his season this early seems idiotic. Mike Rizzo, General Manager of the Nationals, is willing to sacrifice an opportunity to become World Champions to protect an arm; however, does Strasburg’s arm actually need protecting? Most coaches preach to their athletes that no other player on the team is more important than anyone else. Apparently the other 39 players on the roster aren’t as important, not taking anything away from Strasburg but these guys have worked just as hard the entire season and now the coaches are going to shut down a key component to the team’s success. Strasburg’s arm has been protected enough this season. He has only gone six innings or more in five of his twenty-seven starts this season. From what I have watched, Strasburg’s arm looks just fine especially when his fastball has topped out at 98mph. Tim Dahlberg is a National sports columnist for the Associated Press. In one of his recent articles titled “Shutting Down Strasburg is a Curious Plan” he confirms that he also believes his arm is looking good stating, “All in the name of protecting an arm no one is even sure needs protecting” (Dahlberg). Dahlberg is asking the same question that many other baseball fans are wondering: why are they shutting him down now? He looks just fine. Strasburg leads the National League in strikeouts right now and shows no signs of deteriorating in his arm. Protecting this young phenoms arm seems like a good motive, but there are no guarantees in baseball; and there are no guarantees the National’s will ever be this close again.
