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08:16 AM ET 06.30 | It's hard not to take some rooting interest when one hears a story like this about Stephen Strasburg. It was 2:15 a.m. at the Melbourne Airport rental car counter. The gentleman was trying to service the line of Delta passengers delayed four hours. He looked up, recognized the customer and said, "We've had some Nationals players here at this counter. Let me tell you, that Strasburg kid is one of the nicest people I've ever met. Couldn't have been more polite, more thoughtful ..." ... Later, he threw about two dozen fastballs, and at 10:15 on a muggy Florida morning, with hardly anyone else around, one could hear the zzzzzzzzt of the ball coming out of his hand. The sounds of art aren't what you and I experience. It is the sound of Stradivari's violin, the sound Rickie Weeks makes in BP, the sound Derek Trucks makes on a guitar, the sound Roger Voisin made playing Purcell on his trumpet.

MLB.com

Stephen Strasburg, Getty Images

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June 30, 2011 08:27 AM ET

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Yeah, but can he pitch?

...the best policy

Harrodsburg, KY

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June 30, 2011 08:33 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:25 AM ET 06.30 by Lex-LOU-thor

I had heard he was always a nice guy - so - not sure this is a story - slow day at the ranch I guess.

All it means is that he's well coached in PR. I had a similar experience once and I went completely postal on the rental car moron. Of course, I didn't have a multiple million dollar career to protect. BTW: I lost out in the end when I drove away in a Ford Escort.

Piltdown Rabbit

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June 30, 2011 08:33 AM ET

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He could always pitch but for the money Washington is laying out on him they really need him to be as good as the hype that surounded him.

Mongo Alex

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June 30, 2011 10:07 AM ET

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How hard is it to be a nice guy when you have millions in the bank even if you never work again? Jeesh! I want to see the Nats owner when he signs those checks for the guy, a big happy smile on his face and laughing his a## off, now that is a new story. Not this.

50yearfan

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June 30, 2011 11:42 AM ET

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strasburg will be ready to pitch by midseason on 2012 there its no need to rush him!!

alacran

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June 30, 2011 12:07 PM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:33 AM ET 06.30 by Mongo Alex

He could always pitch but for the money Washington is laying out on him they really need him to be as good as the hype that surounded him.

True...............and he was until he hurt the elbow. He's got the potential to be great and I hope he makes it. The fact he seems to be a nice guy is simply a plus. I'm sure he's not as nice as that saint Roger Clemens but everyone can't be a 'roid storage container.

Slapshot

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June 30, 2011 05:36 PM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 12:07 PM ET 06.30 by Slapshot

I'm sure he's not as nice as that saint Roger Clemens but everyone can't be a 'roid storage container.

You cant deny what Clemens did early in his career. Yes, the last 10 years are tainted, but then again you could say that about most players in the 90s.

Back 2 the story. Sure hes a nice guy, getting payed millions to toss a ball back & forth. We'll see when he gets back on the mound next year if he can continue to fool hitters.