Stephen Strasburg gets kudos on the Senate floor

By Shailagh Murray
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) took a moment on the Senate floor Wednesday morning to hail his newly anointed Republican opponent, Sharron Angle. Then he moved on to the really big news of the day in Washington: the spectacular debut pitching performance Tuesday night of Nationals rookie Stephen Strasburg.

"I watched him not only pitch but the interview after the game. He carried himself so well," Reid said. "Struck out 14 major league baseball players. He's right-handed but reminded me so much of Sandy Koufax because he throws more than 100 miles an hour, throws a curveball about 85 miles an hour. That's remarkable with such great control."

Not to be upstaged, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) interjected. "I was there and had a chance to see Strasburg," McConnell said. "What a remarkable athlete, and we can only hope and pray that his arm holds up and that he has the kind of career that everyone is anticipating. There was literally electricity in the air."

It must be true that sports is the great equalizer. "I wish I could have been there," Reid rejoined. "Even watching it on TV, gee whiz, for those of us who love sports...this was really a remarkable performance."

The two leaders then carried on about Bryce Harper, the Las Vegas slugger drafted by the Nats on Monday as this year's No.1 pick. "What one can conclude from this is next year, when the Senate is not in session in the evening, both Democratic and Republican leaders will be at the Nats games," McConnell said.