Yesterday many heads were scratched when Davey Johnson pulled the allegedly innings-limit-free Stephen Strasburg after seven innings and a mere 80 pitches. Today Jason Reid of the Washington Post has a column up in which he vigorously defends the decision.
Thing is: the defense looks a lot more vigorous than necessary given that, at best, some folks asked Davey Johnson about why Strasburg was pulled. Which is a totally fair post-game question, especially given all the talk which has surrounded Strasburg and his workload. Reid, however, seems to think the very question is invalid, criticizing people in the game who last year second-guessed the Nats’ decisions, and going to P.R. Director lengths to defend Johnson and Mike Rizzo without even nothing that the “maybe Strasburg coulda gone another inning?” side of things is not an irrational query from some insane cabal.
Reid is entitled to his opinion obviously, but it’s striking how in-step most of the Washington Post’s opinions are with those of Nats’ management. To the point where even questioning that authority is looked down upon.
(hat tip to Kevin Reiss for pointing out Reid’s column)