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Posted (edited)

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. 

Edited by US Egg
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Posted

Famed Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda was once asked what Mexican-born pitching sensation Fernando Valenzuela would ask for in his upcoming contract negotiations. Replied Lasorda: "He wants Texas back."

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Posted
3 hours ago, Another Fan said:

The last Dodger/Yankee World Series he was the main image I had

 

RIP 

Steve Garvey’s forearms were a close 2nd.

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Posted

I played hookie from grad school with a couple buddies so that we could go see the Dodgers on opening day.  We were looking forward to watching
Jerry Reuss (sp?), then the Dodger ace, pitch.

 

We were extremely disappointed that he had some sort of injury and some rookie we never heard of had to take the mound to start the game.  It was Fernando, who went on to set some sort of record based on how he started the season.  Not sure if it's been broken.

 

Might have been most consecutive scoreless innings (over several games) for a rookie starting his major league career.  Can't remember exactly, 'cause that was a long time ago.

 

Glad I skipped classes that day.

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Posted

Only comp I can think of for guys coming out of the clear blue sky was Fidrych.  Both brought a ton of fun to the game and to the country really.   RIP Fernando.

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Posted
32 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

Only comp I can think of for guys coming out of the clear blue sky was Fidrych.  Both brought a ton of fun to the game and to the country really.   RIP Fernando.

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. 

Posted
19 hours ago, ICanSleepWhenI'mDead said:

I played hookie from grad school with a couple buddies so that we could go see the Dodgers on opening day.  We were looking forward to watching
Jerry Reuss (sp?), then the Dodger ace, pitch.

 

We were extremely disappointed that he had some sort of injury and some rookie we never heard of had to take the mound to start the game.  It was Fernando, who went on to set some sort of record based on how he started the season.  Not sure if it's been broken.

 

Might have been most consecutive scoreless innings (over several games) for a rookie starting his major league career.  Can't remember exactly, 'cause that was a long time ago.

 

Glad I skipped classes that day.

        He won his first 9 games, 5 by complete game shutouts.   He won the Rookie of the Year award and the CyYoung for the year.  I believe he is the only player who has done that.

 

RIP

Posted
1 hour ago, Pete said:

Salud Fernando

 

 

Salud in spanish means health.  In the context of death it's used to cheer the health of the living.......not the deceased. 

 

Thanks, Fernando.  Long live his memory.

 

 

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