Stephen Strasburg struck out 14 batters in his major league debut, a night dubbed Strasmas, throwing 34 pitches at 98 mph or faster. But this deep dive begins with the paradox of his career: a prodigy who later had a rib and two neck muscles surgically removed just to manage nerve damage caused by his own violent throwing motion.

From an overweight, overwhelmed college kid nicknamed Slothburg under coach Tony Gwynn to a flawless World Series MVP, Strasburg’s story is a study in engineered greatness and the biological cost that ultimately ended his career.

• Went undrafted out of high school and was rejected by Stanford before starring at San Diego State
• Signed a record $15.1 million contract with just 77 seconds left before the deadline
• Was shut down before the 2012 playoffs to protect his surgically repaired arm, igniting a firestorm
• Became the first pitcher to win five games in a single postseason en route to 2019 World Series MVP
• Pitched only 31 and one-third innings after signing a seven-year, $245 million contract