Pirates Unimpressed As Rookie Strikes Them Out Mere Fourteen Times

Written by Andy | 09 June 2010

Rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in his major league debut Tuesday, and the young pitcher's performance, including his 14 K's, is getting plenty of attention. The Pirates, however, say the performance was mediocre at best. As outfielder Lastings Milledge put it, 'Bro, we're the Pittsburgh Pirates.'

"Good for the kid, he put up some numbers, but there's a ton of guys on every team that could pitch seven innings against us when they're at home and strike us out, what, 14 times? That's like, only two per inning," said Milledge, yawning mockingly. "I'd be willing to bet most minor league pitchers could do that too."

Pirates manager John Russell says this was only one game for Strasburg, and everyone needs to keep things in perspective.

"The guy didn't set any records or anything, so I'm not entirely sure what all the fuss is about. If 'greatness' for a pitcher is double digit strikeouts against the Pittsburgh Pirates, then I guess major league baseball is gonna have a lot of great pitchers by the end of the season. I'm serious, they will. We tend to strike out A LOT."

Pirates hitting coach Don Long could not be reached for comment as he was performing his standard post game ritual of banging his head into a concrete wall.

Around the Web:
Strasburg dazzles DC, strikes out 14 in historic debut (MLB.com)
Game 58: Nationals 5 Pirates 2 (Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke?)
Commentary: And now baseball has finally arrived in Washington (The Nats Blog)