Don't Count Your Eggs Before They Hatch

Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman

Tonight was the end of a great run by the Washington Nationals.  Losing 9 - 7 to the "Never Say Die" Cardinals, Nationals fell in the 9th inning and their dreams for a World Series were dashed.  Now many in the media are probably going to pose the question, "What if?"  What if Strasburg was playing?  What if the Nationals hadn't shut him down?  We'll never truly know but what we do know is that they're not getting out of the first round.  

Now I'm not here to scream it's end of the world and everyone needs to be fired.  On the contrary, I think it's a shrewd business move that is long-term focused.  Thinking long-term is important but it's playing it safe.  It may pay off if they're able to prolong Strasburgs career (get a bang for their buck) but that doesn't guarantee they'll win any championships because of the move.  In sports, you need to live in the moment.  If you have a chance to make it to the World Series and you have one of the best aces in the game (Click if you want to see Strasburg stats) you roll the dice and play him.  The future isn't guaranteed.  

Think about the Chicago Bulls.  The past 2 years they were the talk of the NBA.  They had a young superstar in Derrick Rose and a tough core of players surrounding him.  Their future was bright until Rose lay crumpled on the court in the playoffs last year.  Now this upcoming season looks like a wash with Rose possibly missing the entire season and who knows if he'll be able to bounce back fully.  If he does bounce back the players around him like Boozer, Deng, Hamilton will be another year older.   

So you see, Nationals need to beware.  Remember, the Braves were on your tail last year and they are just as young if not younger than you.  Plus the Phillies aren't going to be as bad as they were this year.  Furthermore, whose to say Strasburg doesn't get injured next year or Zimmerman or Harper.  You don't know and no matter how safe you play it bad things can still happen.  It's sports, people get hurt.