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Saturday, August 6, 2011

Tomorrow's Sighting

Hello everyone!  First I want to apologize for not blogging for a while - my "other" blog is turning out to be a bit demanding (check it out at http://www.prosportsblogging.com/, click on MLB and then on Washigton Nationals) and it's been a busy week with swim and tennis lessons for the kids.  Anyway, tomorrow is a big day, because Stephen Strasburg is making his first pitching appearance since he underwent Tommy John surgery last August.  Not only will he be pitching a couple of innings tomorrow, but he's going to do it for the Nationals' "low A" farm team in Hagerstown.  This means that, even though I said I didn't care for the Hagerstown Suns' old stadium when I went there this past June, I will most certainly be there tomorrow (it's 20 minutes away - how could I NOT?).  Rumor had it that Iván Rodriguez would be catching for Strasburg as part of HIS rehab assignment ("Pudge" has been on the disabled list for a while with a strained oblique muscle), but the rumors are false and Iván is actually on his way to Philadelphia to see a doctor for a second opinion.  But I'm still excited to see Mr. Strasburg, since this is probably the closest I'll ever get to him and the most intimate park in which he'll ever pitch. 

Are you wondering what Tommy John surgery is?  Well, it was obviously named for Hall-of-Famer Tommy John, who underwent this surgery back in the 1980s.  Basically, they take a tendon from somewhere in your body (recently they've been using a hamstring tendon, or sometimes they use one from your opposite forearm) and they use it to replace a torn ulnar collateral ligament (which is in your elbow).  It can take up to a year to recover fully from this surgery, and some pitchers actually throw harder after they have had the surgery.  There you go - my Bachelors degree in Athletic Training was finally put to use explaining that to you!

So yeah; tomorrow we're supposed to be seeing greatness.  I have always thought that Strasburg has been over-hyped, but I am happy to go and see him pitch a couple of innings for only $11 a seat.  I hope to take some good pictures and am looking forward to scouting the other minor league players for my "other" blog.  I will tell you all about it tomorrow evening!