Remembering Fernando Valenzuela

It was/is far more important that the superb pitcher, Fernando Valenzuela, who died days back far too early and eerily before the first Yankees/Dodgers World Series since 1981 when Fernando, more than anyone led L.A. to its first crown, albeit strike affected since 1965, pitched truly well in 4 of his 5 post-season starts than the “Fernando-Mania” all-time pitching he did at his career’s beginning.

However, I start there as Fernando had a brilliant start to his career (8-0)? with less than 1 run per game allowed.

I fondly recall one of those early career starts (May-1981), being at “Big Shea” (Shea Stadium) when Fernie escaped a bases loaded one out bottom first jam, up (1-0) and that is how the game ended, certainly a factor, as the Dodgers won the so called “first half,” thus qualifying for the only pre wild card 8 teams playoffs and eventually won the ’81 crown. (Mike Scott, who 5 years later would have his own brilliant season most notably in a losing NLCS vs the Mets was the Mets’ starter and losing pitcher that night despite an excellent no earned runs allowed/7 innings line).

As stated above, Valenzuela pitched truly well in 4 of his 5 ‘offs starts, going (3-1), winning once each in all 3 rounds– a complete game (what are those?) (2-1) win vs Houston in #4 of the extra round, then going 8 and two thirds innings, with help from Bob Welch, who certainly died too soon, in another (2-1) win to clinch the pennant in the decisive 5th game of the NLCS at Montreal (Expos).

Finally in #3 of the World Series, as was the case in Dodgers’ annals with John Podres in 1955 and Claude Osteen 10 years later, Valenzuela won #3 of an eventual Dodgers’ triumphant World Series, after trailing (2-0) in games. Fernando did so, struggling, but winning a complete game, (5-4) vs the Yankees in 1981.

Fernando Valenzuela pictured above and ex teammate and fellow ’81 title team member, Dave Stewart, who recently and rightfully lamented that the A’s were playing their last game in Oakland, both authored no-hit games on the same day in 1990.

“There was something in the air” (excitement among other good things) when Fernando (Valenzuela) pitched in a baseball game.

Sidenote: as the great group ABBA is heard and seen above and though I was a “Strato” man, this ABBA to baseball link evokes APBA baseball.