For some odd reason, the MLB Hall of Fame wasn't originally going to ask for any memorabilia from Stephen Strasburg's debut. The stated reason, according to ESPN's Buster Olney, was that they didn't want to collect items simply because of "media anticipation." (As opposed to ... what, exactly? Player anticipation?).
But then Strasburg kicked butt, living up to the hype and then some. Because of that, according to Olney, the Hall of Fame has changed their tune.
On Tuesday afternoon, I called Jeff Idelson of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and asked him if the Hall had any plans to ask for a piece of memorabilia from Strasburg's debut. He said no, because from the perspective of a museum, they weren't going collect items merely because of media anticipation.
Well, after the game, the Hall of Fame called the Nationals and made a request for a memento.
If the Nats really wanted to be mean, they would say "Sorry, missed your chance guys. Maybe we'll give you something when Bryce Harper debuts." I really wish they would do this, just for kicks and giggles.