It is one thing to be humbled when you hang a curveball and a big-league hitter hammers it into the second deck.
It’s another thing when your words of wisdom are called into question by a group of 11- and 12-year-olds.
Stephen Strasburg is the father of three young girls — Raegan, Reese and Rebecca — and these days finds himself sharing some things he has learned over the years.
Or at least he’s trying.
“It’s a pretty humbling experience,” Strasburg said, “especially when they’re among their peers. Especially on the softball field and some of the girls are like, ‘Does he even know what he’s talking about?’ ”
Strasburg is 3 1/2 years removed now from his last appearance on a major league mound. He returned to San Diego two years ago with his family. The girls, and their friends, are mostly too young to know that Strasburg does, in fact, know a thing or two of what he speaks.
“My oldest, Raegan, she remembers quite a bit from when I was playing,” said Strasburg, whose 13-year career included three All-Star appearances. The highlight was being named 2019 World Series MVP after helping the Washington Nationals to the title.
As for his younger daughters, Strasburg said, “I think their biggest memories of watching me play was more eating popcorn and hot dogs in the stands.”
There is a photo following that championship season that brings back a particularly memorable family moment.
“It’s of my middle daughter Reese,” Strasburg said, “throwing an absolute fit in the White House after we won the World Series because we wouldn’t let her play on this antique piano that the King of France gifted the President. She was pretty young.”
FILE – Washington Nationals pitcher and World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, center, celebrates the World Series baseball championship during a rally following a parade to celebrate the team’s World Series baseball championship over Houston Astros, in Washington, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
The girls could get a better idea of their dad’s accomplishments on Monday night, when highlights of his career are presented during the 78th annual Salute to the Champions event at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla. Strasburg and former A’s and Giants pitcher Barry Zito, a graduate of USDHS (now Cathedral Catholic), will be inducted into the Breitbard Hall of Fame.
Joe Harper, CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, is being honored with a Lifetime Achievement award for his five decades at the seaside racetrack.
The Ron Fowler Community Champion award is going to the Miracle League of San Diego, which provides children and adults with special needs the opportunity to play baseball. The Alex Smith Courage in Sports Award is going to Helix High School football player Jeremy Davis. The event also will acknowledge San Diego’s 2025 professional and college stars of the year and month.
“I take a lot of pride in being from San Diego and seeing the athletes, not just in baseball, but all the professional athletes that came from this area and which high school they went to,” Strasburg said. “This is such a cool city that has produced so many world-class athletes in so many sports, and to be amongst them is an honor.
“For me, as a kid, you grow up getting into the game of baseball because of the athletes that you’re seeing play the game at a high level and it goes back to all these memories that I have as a kid growing up here and going to Padres games. Obviously, watching Tony Gwynn and watching the pitchers like Jake Peavy and Trevor Hoffman. … Having those role models in the community really left an impact on my career. To be considered amongst them is really special. It’s amazing how time flies. It really is.”
It was two decades ago that Strasburg graduated from West Hills High School and stepped onto the campus at San Diego State. He served as SDSU’s closer as a freshman in 2007 before moving into the starting rotation a year later.
FILE – San Diego State’s Stephen Strasburg tossed a no-hitter in his final home start at Tony Gwynn Stadium. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)
Strasburg emerged as one of the nation’s top pitchers in 2008, highlighted by a 23-strikeout game against Utah, and he was the only collegiate player selected that summer to the U.S. Olympic team.
In 2009, Strasburg had a season for the ages, going 13-1 with a 1.32 ERA and 195 strikeouts with 19 walks in 109 innings. He threw a no-hitter against Air Force in his final home start. Strasburg received the Golden Spikes Award as baseball’s top amateur player and was selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Nationals.
Strasburg was 113-62 with a 3.24 ERA and 1,723 strikeouts in a career shortened by injuries. Late in his career, Strasburg suffered from thoracic outlet syndrome, which led to surgeries that included removing a rib and two neck muscles. He made several comeback attempts before retiring after the 2023 season.
“It was definitely not fun, for sure,” Strasburg said. “The hardest part is it’s still pretty evident the damage that has been done to my arm. I guess that’s something that I’m trying to work through and deal with the best that I can.
“At the same time, being a dad is one of the greatest joys in my life. I’m making the choice to focus on all of the good memories that I had in this game. I wish I was still pitching, for sure. … Now you’re just in this realm of, how do I stay connected to the game? It’s a new challenge.”
San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasburg’s career included a 23-strikeout game against Utah and a no-hitter against Air Force. (SDSU Athletics)
In October, Strasburg was named special assistant to new SDSU baseball coach Kevin Vance. Strasburg is intent on improving the facility at Tony Gwynn Stadium. He donated money to replace SDSU’s outfield wall.
Strasburg also will make himself available as often as possible for Aztecs players to pick his brain — assuming, of course, that they don’t question his knowledge like a certain group of 11- and 12-year-old girls.
78th Annual Salute to the Champions
When: Monday. Reception starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 3777 La Jolla Village Dr.
Honorees: Breitbard Hall of Fame inductees Barry Zito and Stephen Strasburg, Pro Stars of the Year Adrian Morejon and Anders Dreyer, Amateur Stars of the Year Lucky Sutton and Oliver Tarvet, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Joe Harper, Community Champion Miracle League of San Diego
More online: sandiegosportsassociation.com