Don Long’s tone was grave. His players were about to face the most-hyped pitching prospect in history, and he wanted to make sure they understood what awaited them. So the Pirates crowded in the players’ lounge behind the visiting clubhouse at Nationals Park and listened to their hitting coach.
“We’ve got no chance against this guy,” Long said. “He throws a thousand miles an hour. He’s got a spitball, a knuckleball, a three-seamer. You don’t even need to take your bats up there. Just tip your cap.”
The room erupted.
Chuck Solomon/Sports Illustrated
Ten years ago Monday, 364 days after the Nationals selected him with the first pick of the 2009 draft, Stephen Strasburg made his major league debut—and history.