RIP Fernando

[Seton75]

Fernando Valenzuela has died. What a career. I think he threw five shutouts in his first five games. Cy Young and ROY his first season. 2 time WS winner. The killer screwball and the look to the skies before the release. Fernando Mania!!!

I saw one of those shutouts at Shea. As I remember, the Mets had bases loaded and a few on in the early innings but didnt score. I was in Mexicon on vacation, walking past an old bar in Puerto Vallarta with my girl when a roar went up. I peaked in to see what happened, and saw Fernando on the TV. 55 young Mexican guys, my girl and I watched the Dodgers that night. Cervezas for everyone!!

RIP

 

[Halldan1]

Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers legend who sparked ‘Fernandomania,’ dead at 63

Dodgers legend and six-time All-Star Fernando Valenzuela died on Tuesday night, Major League Baseball announced.

nypost.com

 

[Piratz]

Wow RIP. I noticed he was in a recent commercial very thin didn’t realize at first it was him.

 

[Seton75]

He stopped announcing when the playoffs started due to what was assumed was an illness. His family was very secretive about his condition.

I never heard this before. When OMalley bought the Chavez Ravine property where Dodger Stadium is located, he evicted some Mexican families who lived there and till Fernando, the Dodgers didnt have much love from the Hispanic community (at least according to one acct I read today).

 

[SHU_Pirate1]

Timing of his passing is so strange with the pending series with the Bombers and the Dodgers.

Brings back memories. Can't believe it's been 43 years! My dear uncle was kind enough to take my cousin and I to game 3 of the 81 World Series where the 2 ROY phenoms, Fernando and Righetti met for a dream match up. Too bad the dream didn't end the way we wanted it but was an amazing experience.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1981/10/23/righetti-valenzuela-night-of-the-rookie/fb5fd115-ae80-487a-a485-6b436d005caa/

 

[Fishjam]

Fernando Valenzuela has died. What a career. I think he threw five shutouts in his first five games. Cy Young and ROY his first season. 2 time WS winner. The killer screwball and the look to the skies before the release. Fernando Mania!!!

I saw one of those shutouts at Shea. As I remember, the Mets had bases loaded and a few on in the early innings but didnt score. I was in Mexicon on vacation, walking past an old bar in Puerto Vallarta with my girl when a roar went up. I peaked in to see what happened, and saw Fernando on the TV. 55 young Mexican guys, my girl and I watched the Dodgers that night. Cervezas for everyone!!

RIP

Started his rookie year with 8 consecutive Complete Games allowing just 2 runs in his first 63 innings! Unbelievable!

 

[lloyde dobler]

He stopped announcing when the playoffs started due to what was assumed was an illness. His family was very secretive about his condition.

I never heard this before. When OMalley bought the Chavez Ravine property where Dodger Stadium is located, he evicted some Mexican families who lived there and till Fernando, the Dodgers didnt have much love from the Hispanic community (at least according to one acct I read today).

The history of Chavez Ravine is very interesting. It was a very large Mexican community over a long period time until the Dodgers came to town.

 

[Piratz]

Started his rookie year with 8 consecutive Complete Games allowing just 2 runs in his first 63 innings! Unbelievable!

When pitchers pitched. A different time and a different era.

 

[SoCalBrett]

RIP Fernando! 1981 was an exciting year! I am a Dodger fan and was a Die Hard fan who would watch or listen to every Dodger game growing up.

As far as the comments about Chavez Ravine, the area around Dodgers stadium remains very Mexican. I have not heard the story in a long time. But, my understanding is that some of the property in Chavez Ravine was purchased and some of the property was taken by eminent domain with the plan to build massive public housing with the support of federal money. Then, the political winds changed and a mayor of LA was elected who opposed public housing. Thus, he took the opportunity to sell the land to the O'Malleys to build the stadium.

When I grew up in the 70's and 80's, there were a lot of Dodger fans who happened to be Mexican before Fernando. But, it went crazy in a great way with Fernando in 81. To this day, Dodgers are big time in the Mexican community.

We will miss you Fernando! Go Dodgers!!!