"Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals are rapidly gaining fans nationally. More importantly, they are earning respect as a team and a franchise on the rise. After this weekend's series with the White Sox is over, Washington will have been on national TV four times in less than two weeks. It also should be noted that the local ratings on MASN have set all-time records. There also has been a dramatic rise in overall ratings on WFED 1500 AM. Strasburg has won both of his first two starts, has been on David Letterman, is the cover boy for this week's Sports Illustrated and was the National League player of the week. Meanwhile, he and his teammates will be seen on national television Friday night against the White Sox on MLB Network, which will air the MASN-HD feed with Bob Carpenter, Rob Dibble and Debbi Taylor. Next up comes FOX with its Saturday "Game of the Week" with Dick Stockton and Bert Blyleven doing the telecast at 4 p.m. FOXSports.com senior columnist Ken Rosenthal is a believer in both Strasburg and the Nationals as future stars. Rosenthal on Strasburg being overhyped » Well, sure, I guess you could say that. But his performance has justified the hype. John Smoltz told me after his first start, referring to expectations, he "super-exceeded the unexceedable." That's John Smoltz talking! And he was as excited about him as anyone. Rosenthal on what he is impressed with » The sheer quality of his stuff is what impresses me most. You don't see very often a young pitcher with three quality pitches and the ability to control them." http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sports/Strasburg_s-hype-justified-96635084.html
