Tweet
I love the 80's (Baseball Edition) #9 - Fernandomania!
On April 9th, 1981Fernando Valenzuelastarted the first game of his career and pitched a five-hit shutout against the Houston Astros. He went on to pitch seven more complete games in a row... four of which were shutouts.
1981 Dodgers Police #34
The numbers for his first eight starts are mind-blowing. Eight complete games. Five shutouts. Sixty-eight strikeouts. And only four earned runs allowed. Fernandomania was officially born.
It just so happened to take place during my formative years when nothing was more important to me than baseball... which is why this San Diego Padres fan has no regrets admitting how much I admired Valenzuela's game.
1984 7-11 Slurpee Discs #W9
1995 Upper Deck #375
Unfortunately... his best years were a thing of the past and nothing more than great memories of my childhood.
Viva El Toro! Thanks for the memories Fernando. Happy Wednesday and sayonara!
More...
1981 Dodgers Police #34
The numbers for his first eight starts are mind-blowing. Eight complete games. Five shutouts. Sixty-eight strikeouts. And only four earned runs allowed. Fernandomania was officially born.
It just so happened to take place during my formative years when nothing was more important to me than baseball... which is why this San Diego Padres fan has no regrets admitting how much I admired Valenzuela's game.
1984 7-11 Slurpee Discs #W9
Years later he would eventually arrive in San Diego to play for my beloved Padres after stops in Anaheim, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
1995 Upper Deck #375
Unfortunately... his best years were a thing of the past and nothing more than great memories of my childhood.
Viva El Toro! Thanks for the memories Fernando. Happy Wednesday and sayonara!
More...