Beltway Boys: Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, and the Rise of Nationals

An insider’s look at the Washington Nationals’ breakout season and their unique strategy to piece together a contending team, this work shows how the team combined once-in-a-generation talent with an experienced manager and a roster of other talented young players to lead the team to the top of the National League East. Anchored by a pair of number one draft picks—the steady, serious Stephen Strasburg and the brash, bold Bryce Harper—the Nationals have been elevated to first place in the National League East. dives into Strasburg and Harper’s preordained journey to the major leagues and the challenges they faced once they arrived, including Strasburg’s recovery from Tommy John Surgery and Harper’s misperceived persona. Also included are several never-before-told stories about the budding superstars, manager Davey Johnson, and general manager Mike Rizzo, making this the perfect reference for any baseball fan.