Readers of this MillersTime/GoSox blog know that I hold Thomas Boswell in the highest esteem. For me, he’s one of the best sports writers working today. I always learn something from his columns and feel lucky that he writes in my morning newspaper.

Today Boswell looks at the Nats’ decision to shut down Stephen Strasburg before the season ends, no matter what Strasburg, his father, the fans, the know-it-alls, etc. say.  If you live in the DC area, then you know this is a controversial issue, largely because the Nats are currently headed for post season play. But without Strasburg, some argue, the Nats put their good season and playoff potential at risk.*

But Boswell’s column goes further, identifying what he believes is “one key ingredient of franchises that build wisely, behave consistently and foster loyalty.”

Read the column, Stephen Strasburg Shutdown Debate Masks the Washington Nationals’ True Story, if you’re a Nats’ fan or if you just want to learn a bit more about baseball and what Boswell thinks makes for good management.

(*I don’t know where I read it, but somewhere I saw that even if Strasburg’s ERA is subtracted from those of the other Nats’ pitchers, they still would have the lowest ERA in the NL, or maybe in the Majors.)