Stephen Strasburg is making his first D.C. start for the 7-3 Washington Nationals on Monday, but one would hardly know that by the crowd. CSN Washington’s Mark Zuckerman took the accompanying pic two minutes before Strasburg’s first pitch and guessed their might be 10,000 people in the stands.
Zuckerman penned an article earlier in the noting how the Strasburg hype had died around Washington:
Since he first debuted in the big leagues amid hoopla and packed houses, Strasburg has seen the hysteria surrounding his starts considerably wane. “Strasmas,” that national holiday that was observed every five days back when he was a flamethrowing rookie (or even a recovering Tommy John patient), is no more. Strasburg, to quote his own words, is “just another donkey” on the Nationals pitching staff.
Part of the issue tonight undoubtedly is that the Capitals are hosting a playoff game just a few miles down the road. Still, it looks to be a disappointing turnout for a team off to an excellent start.