I was a Dodger despiser back then. Viewed Valenzuela as a flash in the pan like Fidrych. Figured Yankees were going to put an end to Fernandomania and the Dodgers after going up 2-0 in the Series.
You know the rest of the story.
As an enigmatic rookie he brightened the strike shortened ‘81 season and tempered fan hostility over the strike.
It’s not a stretch to say Valenzuela led an already talented Dodgers team to the championship that year.
Fernando was a sensation.