Could Strasburg, Va. become "Stephen Strasburg?"
Wags have been linking the Shenandoah Valley town of Strasburg, Va. with the Nats' prospect of the same name for about a year now. Seems the link might get a bit more concrete, as the town is now floating the possibility of (temporarily) changing its name to "Stephen Strasburg."
The 6,200-person town, maybe 90 minutes west of D.C., already plans to honor the pitcher with a "Pride of Strasburg" award. If he deigns to actually visit, the town apparently has pledged to add a "Stephen" to its name, at which time "the newly named town would welcome Stephen into town on the back of a firetruck and honor him with a welcoming parade and police escort," according to the conspirators' Web site. Also, the Little League team would become the "Stephen Strasburgs."
Now, does the name change back if Strasburg bombs, or leaves for the Yankees before the end of the decade? Is he required to make an annual visit to maintain this status? Will Harper's Ferry soon become Bryce Harper's Ferry? These are all questions I plan to ask Strasburg's mayor, who apparently is actually fielding calls on the matter.
(Note: If this is a giant hoax, I do apologize, but an actual town council member, Justin Ritenour, is quoted on the site.)
UPDATE: J. Freedom du Lac talked to the mayor, who says they'd only change the town's name for a week. Not permanently. But still.
By
Dan Steinberg
|
June 4, 2010; 12:17 PM ET
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Nats
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Posted by: gkronenberg | June 4, 2010 1:03 PM | Report abuse
Hey, I care! I actually have a family member how lives there. Not much goes on there so I can understand why they would want to make this into a marketing thing for the town.
Posted by: TheOtherGuyInSection117 | June 4, 2010 1:09 PM | Report abuse
"maybe 90 minutes west of D.C"
Yes, maybe 90 minutes. Maybe 47 hours if there's traffic on 66.
Posted by: Kev29 | June 4, 2010 1:27 PM | Report abuse
Are you sure that story wasn't broken by The Onion? Sounds like it's right up their alley. :-)
Posted by: natsfan1a1 | June 4, 2010 1:48 PM | Report abuse
On a serious point, I can't imagine S. Strasburg giving the "okay" to any such publicity. From all accounts he wants to be "one of the guys". This is not a Joe, Montana situation, where Montana was already a legend (the QB, not the state) when they "renamed" the town.
Posted by: gkronenberg | June 4, 2010 1:54 PM | Report abuse
Yeah, Dan. Hoaxes NEVER include made-up quotes from real live people. Way to double-check your sources before going to print.
With your superior skills in this critical area of reporting, perhaps you should offer to help out at your paper's obit desk. You know, the one that prematurely declared John Wooden dead yesterday.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/06/03/GA2010060304369.html
Posted by: nunof1 | June 4, 2010 2:08 PM | Report abuse
This is insane. The man hasnt even pitched a major league game yet. He could break his arm in his first start and end his career.
Posted by: TheSuperhoo | June 4, 2010 2:24 PM | Report abuse
Which cheese has the hardest name to spell?
Posted by: rdpinva | June 4, 2010 2:54 PM | Report abuse
Wouldnt the Little League team need to be the Strasburg Stevens?
Posted by: jadamvogt | June 4, 2010 6:09 PM | Report abuse
I grew up near a town that in the 80's changed its name to Joe... So then they would be Joe, Montana.
Posted by: todlarson | June 4, 2010 8:49 PM | Report abuse
I'm watching the Nats game right now.
BUD SELIG NEEDS TO THROW JOE WEST OUTTA THE MAJOR LEAGUES! THE GUY IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO ALL UMPIRES IN THE GAME!
Posted by: MyPostIDisAfake | June 4, 2010 10:08 PM | Report abuse
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Who cares about Strasburg? It's Bee day! Get back to work, Stein.