Fernando Valenezuela extends impressive streak
Fernando Valenzuela improved to 8-0 with an eighth consecutive full sport to start the 1981 season on at the present time in Los Angeles Dodgers historical past. His begin in opposition to the Montreal Expos on May 14, 1981, got here in entrance of what was the most important crowd at Dodger Stadium in seven years.
Valenzuela’s undefeated file was saved by Pedro Guerrero hitting a walk-off dwelling run within the ninth inning to present the Dodgers a 3-2 win over the Expos. Valenzuela had allowed a pair of solo homers and three hits total within the outing.
His seven strikeouts tied for the second-fewest throughout the span of eight dominant begins to start the season. Of these, 5 have been shutouts. Despite not maintaining the Expos off the scoreboard, “Fernandomania” reached a fever pitch that will night at Chavez Ravine.
With that win, the left-hander improved to 8-0 with a minuscule 0.50 ERA, 68 strikeouts over 72 innings whereas holding opponents to a .172/.225/.212 batting line. Four days later, Valenzuela fell in need of throwing an entire sport for the primary time and suffered a loss.
He went on to complete the 1981 season with a 13–7 file, 2.48 ERA, eight shutouts and 11 full video games in 24 begins. Valenzuela grew to become the primary pitcher to win each Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the identical season, and he additionally earned a Silver Slugger.
Valenzuela nonetheless stands as the one pitcher since 1945 to win his first eight Major League begins.
The Dodgers celebrated Valenzuela and the fortieth anniversary of “Fernandomania” with a pregame ceremony throughout their first homestand of the 2021 season, and he’s additionally featured within the renovated heart plaza space with a mural and show commemorating each his impressive rookie season and total profession.
“Fernando, on many levels, you have impacted not only the Mexican community, Major League Baseball, the Dodgers. He’s just such a good man. I didn’t realize it’s been 40 years,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts stated on the time.
“That’s crazy. For him to still be on the Spanish broadcast, he just kind of paved the way. We have two guys right now on our club that idolize him in Julio (Urias) and Victor (Gonzalez). He was a trailblazer, trendsetter, whatever you want to call it. What a great Dodger. I’m happy he was a Dodger.”
Dodgers retire Fernando Valenzuela’s jersey
With an unofficial group coverage of solely retiring jersey numbers of Hall of Famers — and an exception made for Jim Gilliam as a consequence of his tragic passing — and the Dodgers had but to immortalize No. 34. Though, no participant or coach had worn it since Valenzuela, who was understanding of the situation.
The Dodgers then made one other exception to their coverage as they formally retired No. 34 for Valenzuela throughout the 2023 season. Valenzuela handed away throughout the 2024 World Series.
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