The 78th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion New York Yankees and the National League (NL) champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox. Valenzuela went 8-0 with a 0.50 ERA, 68 strikeouts and eight complete games through his first eight starts. Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea (born November 1, 1960 in Novojao, Mexico) is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher who pitched for six different teams during his Major League Baseball career, most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he pitched for eleven seasons, from 1980 to 1990. The only other pitcher to lose that many was the Chicago White Sox's Lefty Williams, who intentionally lost his three starts in the infamous 1919 World Series. } In his 17-year Major League career Valenzuela won 173 games and yielded a 3.54 ERA. What did your teammates say to you? OK. Are you ready?". He had a stellar career, winning multiple Cy Young Awards and World Series titles. [15] With a stronger farm system and adding valuable players via trade or free agency, they did win division titles in 1983 and 1985, while narrowly missing in 1982. Scully! Uras played a key role in the postseason, going 4-0. ); The Dodgers would go on to win the World Series. 1981 Topps Traded #850 Fernando Valenzuela Los Angeles Dodgers SGC 8 NM-MT. During his seven and a half seasons with the Dodgers organization, he was named the 1949 NL rookie of the year, the 1956 NL Cy Young and Most Valuable Player, and four times appeared in the All-Star game. [12][13] The Yankee owner was criticized by players and press alike for doing so, as many people felt losing a World Series was not something for which a team needed to apologize.[14]. What's the Dodgers' plan at shortstop? Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? by Jessy Williamson | Nov 4, 2022 | Dodgers. This is the online home for all things baseball. Ron Guidry held the Dodgers to four hits and a run (on a Steve Yeager homer) through seven innings. It's silly that the team has essentially already retired the number without giving Valenzuela the honor of making it official. Valenzuela was the first player to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young award in the same season. Do you still have any souvenirs from that game? I think everything came together with the team, my teammates rose to the occasion and we finally did it. Fernando Valenzuela was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. After 1988 Valenzuela was 55-63 with a 4.30 ERA, a 91 ERA+, with 546 strikeouts and 411 walks in 982 innings, including 32-37 with a 4.49 ERA, a 93 ERA+, with 315 strikeouts and 236 walks in 581 innings after leaving the Dodgers. Page 142. I think it was fate because usually when a pitcher tries to stop a ground ball like that and isn't able to, the ball changes course but goes to one side or the other. LOS ANGELES - Inside Dodger Stadium, the man who triggered Fernandomania snapped his fingers. He pitched professionally until the 2007-08 Mexican Pacific League season. Cumulative monthly totals are provided where applicable. Valenzuela became the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to throw a no-hitter, as he tossed a six-hitter in a 60 victory over the St. Louis Cards at Dodger Stadium on June 29, 1990. Fernandomania - Society for American Baseball Research Lou Piniella chased Reuss with an RBI single in the third, and Dodger reliever Bobby Castillo walked four batters in the fourth to give New York a 50 lead. Correa proposes on field after WS win How acquired: The Dodgers signed Valenzuela out of the Mexican League on July 6, 1979, and in just over a year was pitching in the big leagues in the bullpen in a pennant race. He signed with the Tigers in 1992 but was lent to the Mexican League and spent all season with Jalisco. In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela pitched a three-hitter in the third game of the World Series as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees. Tony Gonsolin made his spring debut, the Dodgers batters walked 10 times, and they came out of Tempe with a 2-2 tie against the Angels. Fernando Valenzuela Position: Pitcher Bats: Left Throws: Left 5-11 , 180lb (180cm, 81kg) Born: November 1, 1960 in Navojoa, Mexico mx More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Cy Young Rookie of the Year 6x All-Star 1981 World Series Gold Glove 2x Silver Slugger ML PoY 34 36 34 33 34 34 Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. The Los Angeles Times concluded that the Dodgers had "removed the last layer of bubble wrap from left-hander Julio Uras, the pitching prodigy who was eased into the major leagues as a teenager . Valenzuela played 17 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons, from 1980 to 1991 and 1993 to 1997. In his final five seasons with the Dodgers, he posted a 4.05 ERA (91 ERA+) while averaging 30. Key Dodger losses included Reggie Smith (who signed with the San Francisco Giants after the season), Davey Lopes (traded in the off season), Ron Cey (traded in 1982), Steve Garvey (who departed for the San Diego Padres in 1983). Manager Tom Lasorda said he had suspicions about the state of Valenzuela's arm. LOS ANGELES -- On June 29, 1990, Fernando Valenzuela tossed a no-hitter, an achievement that carved his place among the Major League elite as the first Mexican to achieve this feat. The Braves . The Dodgers have an unofficial policy or only retiring uniform numbers of players and managers in the Hall of Fame, with Jim Gilliam the only exception. But it was in 1981 that fans came out to Chavez Ravine every time he made his start. To honor members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, a few numbers are only retired as unofficial team policies. The Gigantic Book of Baseball Quotations. Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. Notes: The Date / Box field has a link to the box score from the game being described. What was Fernando Valenzuela famous for? 5 keys for the Dodgers to win the World Series. 62 Year Old Baseball Player #2. Fernando Valenzuela - Age, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays This seemed to have a calming effect on the rookie, as Scioscia knew Spanish and was better able to talk with Valenzuela than Steve Yeager.[10]. In shortened season, stars still had chance to shine in 1981 "If I didn't, I would drive myself crazy," Betts told FOX Sports. Because to throw a no-hitter, you need support from the offense, you need them to make runs. Valenzuela, the teams ace, started and won Game 1. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( 1988 Dodgers player profile: Fernando Valenzuela, the injuredsuperstar. Free shipping. A tense moment occurred in the eighth when Goose Gossage beaned Ron Cey. We have box scores from every World Series game in history, line scores, Series rosters, composite team stats, trivia, a sample program, and a detailed written account of the actual Fall Classic. The Los Angeles Dodgers won their fourth World Series in a row in 1981 when they defeated the New York Yankees in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. In 1980 Valenzuela was promoted to the Double-A level San Antonio Dodgers. In addition to the National League rookie of the year award and a Silver Slugger, he won the award as a 20-year-old. "I think I hurt my rotator cuff. Fernando Valenzuela, the injured superstar - True Blue LA "I feel like I'm almost defiling the mound," Scully said as he handed the ball over to Valenzuela. Forty years ago, he was the 20-year-old rookie, bursting on the scene as Major League Baseball's first Mexican superstar. Fernando Valenzuela - Baseball-Reference.com Signup for our newsletter to get notified about our next ride. Dodgers News: Jamie Jarrn Calls for Fernando Valenzuela's Number To Be "Watching Fernando Valenzuela force himself into a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform is something like seeing Kate Smith struggling to fit into a pair of Brooke Shields' designer jeans." Pedro Guerrero was hurt and eventually traded in August, and Fernando Valenzuela was ineffective and experienced a physical setback for the first time in his career. Here's how WBC offenses stack up with MLB's best. The Dodgers won the title in seven games. 'Fernandomania' 40 Years Later: How Fernando Valenzuela - TPR ", "I don't need a Scully," he said. When 20-Year-Old Rookie Fernando Valenzuela Captivated LA - HISTORY On Nov. 11, 1981, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela became the first rookie to ever win the Cy Young Award, edging Tom Seaver of the Cincinnati Reds. In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela won Game 3 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. He is the only player in baseball history to win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award in the same year. Next up, from Pool A, Tokyo: Israel (Dave A. Roberts Joe Horlen) vs. Americas (Jose Quintana) "Somewhere up in heaven, Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Gil Hodges are laughing their heads off. All Rights Reserved by Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less. Vin Scully and Fernando Valenzuela throw first pitch - Yahoo! Dodgers: Fernando Valenzuela Speaks Out On His Number Not Being Retired Los Angeles Dodgers finally retiring Fernando Valenzuela's No. 34 40 years after Fernandomania, Fernando Valenzuela still icon - The San Why Adam Wainwright, Cardinals aren't worried about low velocity Fernando Valenzuela is a former Major League Baseball(MLB) pitcher born on 1st November 1960, in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico. Oh, Fernando would still have some great years. Most often asked questions related to bitcoin. He remained with the Dodgers for several more seasons, but was never able to match his early success. In 1988, a year in which the Dodgers won the World Series, he won just five games and missed much of the season, despite not being on the postseason roster, he still earned a second World Series ring. Dodgers pitchers are hesitant to use the PitchCom device to call their own pitches. . He had 10 career home runs and batted .200 over his career. Watson led off the fifth with a double, but no one scored as Valenzuela pitched out of it again. I got a glove to it on the mound and deflected it a little, but it went straight to Juan Samuel, who was playing at second base. Ron Davis gave up two in the eighth by walking Derrel Thomas and Davey Lopes to lead off. Visit his page for comprehensive Pinch-hitter Bobby Murcer attempted a sacrifice bunt, but popped it foul. Where did Fernando Valenzuela play in Mexico? - Short-Fact The popular left-hander demanded a salary increase to $850,000, about $500,000 more than what the Dodgers ended up paying him. Fernando's reputation was enhanced with wins in both the 1981 division and league championship series. One of the Dodgers' legendary stars celebrates his birthday. Fernando Valenzuela's impact can be seen in ballparks and - Yahoo Due to the players' strike, which ran from June 12 to August 8, the 1981 season was split into two halves, with the first-place teams from each half in each division (or a wild card team if the same club won both halves, although this did not occur in any division) meeting in the best-of-five League Division Series (this division series was a one-off occasion; it was not until 1994 that the Division Series would be implemented on a permanent basis). Is there a catcher anywhere around here?". The greatest lineups ever? Brito, who was born in Cuba and was a key figure in the discovery of the pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, whose sensational 1981 season sparked a frenzy of fans known as Fernandomania, died on Thursday at the age of 77. Their success culminated with a world championship in 1988, becoming the only team to win two World Series between 1978 and 1990, and the only team to win more than one World Series title during the 1980s. 8) Jack Morris. The chart below is a comprehensive analysis of the games Valenzuela pitched in, specifically relating to his 1981 pitching statistics. 2017 World Series -- Vin Scully, Fernando Valenzuela part of Houston The Dodgers tied it in the fourth on an RBI single by Game 5 hero Steve Yeager. Valenzuela's 3.11 ERA during his first seven seasons was second to Nolan Ryan, and Fernando's 115 ERA+ was tied for sixth among pitchers with 1,000 innings. Valenzuela is still involved with the Dodgers organization as a Spanish-language commentator. Valenzuela is a true baseball legend and his induction into the Hall of Fame was a well-deserved honor. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.