An old saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

21-year-old Stephen Strasburg will never have to look back in regret. He made quite an impression in his first Major League action.

Stephen Strasburg, the Washington Nationals' prized phenom rookie starting pitcher, recorded 14 strikeouts in 7 innings in his MLB debut on his way to recording his first career win. Strasburg gave up just 4 hits and 2 earned runs in 7 innings, while striking out 14 batters and walking none. The rookie's 2 earned runs came in one swing, a 2-run home run by Pirates' Delwyn Young.

It seemed nearly impossible, but Strasburg actually exceeded expectations in his first career start. Amongst astronomic hype surrounding his debut in the major leagues, the rookie proved to be even better than expected.

Strasburg became the first player in MLB HISTORY to record at least 11 K's and no walks in a major league debut. The phenom had 14 strikeouts in 7 innings, making just 1 mistake to allow a 2-run homer, and kept his team in the game before allowing them to eventually break out with 3 runs in the 7th inning to secure the rookie with a victory .

"I just wanted to go out and soak up everything. It only happens once and I've been waiting for this my whole life," Strasburg said.

In a lengthy post-game press conference, filled with hundreds of well-known media members, the rookie talked about how much fun he had in his debut. Strasburg told reporters that he was not given any kind of scouting report or plan of attack in this game, and he was just told to go out there and enjoy his debut. It's good to know that the young man's idea of "fun" happens to be in line with the organization's dream of success.

It was a truly memorable debut from Stephen Strasburg. The rookie was drafted first overall by the Washington Nationals exactly 1 year ago to the day. The 2009 first pick got to watch his team draft the 2010 top overall player (17-year-old Bryce Harper) in the draft yesterday. Tuesday, Strasburg was called upon to prove his worth as a top pick. He passed with flying colors.

Strasburg pitched to Ivan Rodriguez in his debut, possibly the greatest defensive catcher in major league history, and surefire Hall of Famer. Perhaps some day we will see the two players meet again in Cooperstown. Is that a ridiculous statement to make about a rookie pitcher with 1 career start to his name? Yes. But that's the kind of impression that the kid made tonight.

The most strikeouts that a Nationals pitcher had recorded in a start this year was 8, until Tuesday. Strasburg had 8 K's halfway through the 5th inning. He finished with 14 strikeouts, a ridiculous number for any pitcher at any level against any team. The fact that the rookie K'd that many batters in his first ever start is simply outstanding.

Strasburg made his debut at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates, perhaps the best matchup that one could possibly get. The Pirates have scored the 2nd least runs in baseball and have the 2nd worst OBP and average in the league. Strasburg made sure those numbers got even worse. The rookie truly made the Pirates look like a Triple-A team that he'd been facing the past 5 starts. Pittsburgh had no chance against the Nationals starter, with the exception of 1 swing by Delwyn Young.

Without that one home run swing, Strasburg's numbers would truly look otherworldly. Maybe it's a good thing that he gave up that home run. Now he can't be expected to throw a shutout in his next start or have the pressure of a scoreless innings streak to start a career. I don't know, that could be illogical. It doesn't really matter; we saw all that we needed to see. Stephen Strasburg is a bonafide ace starting pitcher in the league. From day one, this kid is going to be pitching at an All-Star level.

In his post-game press conference, Strasburg talked about how excited he was for his next start. With this one out of the way, he can start to focus on stepping on the mound every 5 days and preparing for his next matchup.

Strasburg will get the Cleveland Indians in his next start, another poor hitting team. Who knows what the phenom might do against Cleveland.

In a year full of unbelievable pitching performances, historic starting feats, and several perfect games, it's fitting that the most hyped starting pitcher in recent MLB history has arrived on the scene and exceeded all expectations.

We've ran out of superlatives to describe this young man's performance. The Washington Nationals have a true superstar and franchise player on their team.

Stephen Strasburg has officially arrived. Let the Strasburg mania begin. And talk him up as much as you want, because he's passed his first test of handling pressure. Strasburg's MLB debut will be a truly memorable day in the history of the sport. Hopefully, we look back on June 8th, 2010 as the day when a star was born and future Hall of Famer first stepped on a mound.

Call it crazy, but all the talk is completely warranted. Stephen Strasburg has impressed even the greatest optimists, and he'll be looking forward to continuing the trend.