In 1981 the LA Dodgers rolled out a young (more on that later) phenom from Mexico named Fernando Valenzuela. He proceeded to reel off 8 str wins, 5 shutouts and an 0.50 ERA during that stretch. He dazzled mlb batters and the media with an unhittable screwball, a pudgy face, big beer belly and a habit of looking skyward during his delivery to the plate. His poise and appearance was of a man 10 years his senior. His stated age was 20 years old, although no documents could support that claim. He spoke only through an interpretor which added to his mystique. Who was this dude? "El Toro", as he was called, went on to a 13-7 2.48 ERA in his first full season as a Dodger. Valenzuela went on to a respectable career that fizzled after 10 years in the majors. When he should have been peaking, "El Toro" was winding down, which only fueled the rumors that he debuted in the majors much older than age 20. As to the question of "Will we ever see this again?" That remains to be seen. The Nationals have brought back that "Fernandomania" feeling all over again with the arrival of one Stephen Strasburg. I have learned less than I would have liked at this point in my life. One thing I've learned so far is to never say never. I loved watching Fernando pitch and already have Strasburg's next start penciled in on my not so busy schedule.
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Barring injury this will surpass Fernandomania.Comment -
until he faces a good team and his fast balls go over fencesComment -
larger forces at work behind the fernando promotional campaignComment -
he will be a great pitcher, as lots of movement on ball and a 100mph fastball. hes the 2nd best pitcher playing in the mlb right now as of today !! IMO and them dam yankees want him BAD... i bet you they would trade long island for him right now and tho in buffalo too.Comment -
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Sports pundits told us that we would never see anything again like the "El Toro". Valenzuela was an emergency starter for the Dodgers on April 9, 1981. There had been no "Strasburg daily report" on his way up the "latter". NOBODY knew who Fernando was because he wasn't even drafted. He was signed out of the Mexican league by the Dodgers to cover a depleted minor league system and a battered starting rotation. There was no media or organisational build up. It became a national obsession after he threw several complete game shutouts. He also hit 10 home runs in his career. I'm not saying that Strasburg is not the next Cy Young, but he is already behind Fernando. Valenzuela threw a complete game shutout his first time out. He won the NL rookie of the year and Cy Young award in a strike shortened 1981 rookie season. When he was not pitching, he played 1st base and the outfield for the Dodgers in extra inning games, and was called on by Tommy Lasorda to pinch hit because he was an exceptional hitter for a pitcher. In 1981, he had 64 abs, he only struck out 9 times. Come to think of it, there will never be another "El Toro".Comment -
I love Fernando Valenzuela, hes actually from my town.
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Meanwhile, a player in his first Pro season from College is dominating the NL to the Tune of 5-0 2.22 ERA 10/11 QS, as the Ace of a first place team --
-- Yet everyone quietly ignores it --
-- And on Fernando, it was arm trouble that derailed him, not age --Comment -
Why don't they let Leake go past the 7th?Comment -
Basically thats my point. All we hear is Strasburg this, Strasburg did that- there are a number of first year players who have actually done something in MLB that nobody talks about. Leake: 20.1 innings and an ERA of 0.44 in his last 3 outings to go with his 5-0 record. Lets wait until September before we enshrine Strasburg. Not disrespecting the guy. But he will get hit like a french hoare on friday night a few times before the season is out.Comment -
Mike Leake is hitting over .400 gueyComment -
yeah even a glimmering first half or season for a rookie pitcher, is not always Gold...
Zach Duke went 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA for the pirates his rookie season in 2005...
since then he is among the most hittable and losingest pitchers every seasonComment -
if jaime garcia ever gets traded to a border team then it's jaimemania mark my wordsComment -
good point whipperComment
