LOS ANGELES - Leave it to Hollywood to produce some World Series first-pitch magic. Brito, who was born in Cuba and was a key figure in the discovery of the pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, whose sensational 1981 season sparked a frenzy of fans known as Fernandomania, died on Thursday at the age of 77. Valenzuela was released at the end of spring training in 1991,. The Dodgers won the title in seven games. It was a normal day. Valenzuela kept it going for seven full seasons, and entered the 1988 campaign as a full-fledged superstar. Sportswriter. I have two great memories: my first game as a starter for the Dodgers on April 9, 1981, when I started the opening game of the season. Winfield led the Yankees with 25 doubles and 68 RBIs. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! When Valenzuela was only 20 years old, his remarkable season in which he struck out 1,722 opponents and stole 30 bases gave fans in Los Angeles, Mexico, and throughout the major leagues a reason to cheer. Part of the Baseball Almanac Family, Fernando Valenzuela 1981 Division Series Pitching Logs, Fernando Valenzuela 1981 League Championship Series Pitching Logs, Fernando Valenzuela 1981 World Series Pitching Logs, Fernando Valenzuela 1981 Game by Game Pitching Logs. Reggie Jackson, continuing his torrid hitting, helped provide Guidry a lead by doubling to left in the second off Jerry Reuss, moving to third on a Davey Lopes error, and scoring on a Lou Piniella infield single. Valenzuela was the first player to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young award in the same season. Here you'll find information on the game of baseball, from the rules to the history. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Michaels became ABC's lead baseball play-by-play announcer (and exclusive World Series announcer) by the time the network next aired the World Series in 1983. [1][2] This remains the most recent meeting between the Dodgers and the Yankees in the World Series, which has been the most frequent matchup in World Series history.[3]. 5 keys for the Dodgers to win the World Series. In the 1981 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers were represented by pitchers Fernando Valenzuela, Burt Hooton, Jerry Reuss, and Bob Welch. Also the World Series; I think winning that championship and the World Series ring that you get as part of the winning team, for me, that's the best, having achieved something so huge. All Rights Reserved by Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less. Valenzuela, who was nicknamed El Toro (the Bull), got off to a slow start in 1982, perhaps the product of missing several weeks of Spring Training due to his holdout. What year did Valenzuela pitch for the Dodgers? On radio, CBS Radio carried the games with Vin Scully handling play-by-play and Detroit Tigers manager Sparky Anderson providing analysis, working together for the third consecutive year. I'm the kind of person who, when something big happens, I try not to show it, but I do feel it. When Fernando Valenzuela won the Cy Young Award for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, the twenty-year-old, who also won Rookie of the Year that season, earned a whopping $42,500. Valenzuela batted and threw left-handed. One Cy Young Award (when he led the league in games started, complete games, shutouts, innings pitched and strikeouts), and then for the rest of his career he led the in complete games two more times, and wins once, and won o. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( After the walks, Davis was relieved by closer Goose Gossage who gave up a pinch-hit RBI single to Jay Johnstone and a sacrifice fly by Dusty Baker to score Thomas and Lopes, but Gossage closed out the win in the ninth. As a second-year player, there was no real mechanism for him to renew his contract other than to play hardball and hope the Dodgers caved under pressure to make sure the instant superstar was ready for Opening Day. 2020 was one of the most memorable years in recent memory and not for good reason as, Prior to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels playing to a tie at Tempe, Former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda is being honored Saturday with the, FOCO released new 2023 World Baseball Classic bobbleheads, with Los Angeles Dodgers, This Day In Dodgers History: Fernando Valenzuela Throws Complete-Game Shutout On 1981 Opening Day, Max Muncy Wearing Custom Tommy Lasorda Cleats For Dodgers Home Opener. Notes: PitchCom, Jason Heyward, cold weather. On February 19, 1983, the Los Angeles Dodgers awarded Fernando Valenzuela a $1 million contract through the arbitration process, making him the first player to do so. Reuschel walked Steve Garvey intentionally and gave up an RBI force-out to pinch-hitter Derrel Thomas. document.write(update); ); In both innings, Valenzuela issued two-out intentional walks to number 8 hitter Larry Milbourne in order to pitch to Dave Righetti and George Frazier. Their success culminated with a world championship in 1988, becoming the only team to win two World Series between 1978 and 1990, and the only team to win more than one World Series title during the 1980s. Moments later, Steve Yeager, who was the Dodgers' catcher for 14 seasons and the MVP of the 1981 World Series, stepped out of the dugout and up to home plate. There were several plays where the team helped to prevent a hit and keep the game on track toward a no-hitter. Righetti would win the American League's Rookie of the Year award. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997. "Getting to do work is another outlet. NLCS & World Series performance: Valenzuela made it back from injury in time to make one regular season start and pitch another four innings in relief, but the left-hander was left off the postseason roster and reduced to a spectator against the Mets and Athletics. Prior to this game, Yankee manager Bob Lemon sat Reggie Jackson. After Dusty Baker reached on an error by Nettles, loading the bases again, Guerrero singled in two more runs. According to Johnstone's book Temporary Insanity (1985), Steinbrenner confronted Davis in the Yankees' locker room after the game and demanded, "Why did you throw Johnstone a fastball?". } We have box scores from every World Series game in history, line scores, Series rosters, composite team stats, trivia, a sample program, and a detailed written account of the actual Fall Classic. Hooton won Game 2, while Reuss won Game 3. The arrangement resulted in teams with the best overall record in either their division or league that year being left out of the postseason, in particular the Cincinnati Reds, who had the best overall record in the majors, and the St. Louis Cardinals, who finished with the best overall record in the NL East. First of all we were raised by Vin Scully, who in his prime would call the biggest games in sports. Tony Gonsolin made his spring debut, the Dodgers batters walked 10 times, and they came out of Tempe with a 2-2 tie against the Angels. He spoke little English but captivated this city and baseball fans across. Manager Tom Lasorda said he had suspicions about the state of Valenzuela's arm. To honor members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, a few numbers are only retired as unofficial team policies. They finally broke their World Series Championship drought by winning in 2020 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Jackson injured himself running the bases in Game 2 of the ALCS and missed the first two games of the World Series, but was medically cleared to play Game 3. In the National League, the Dodgers led the National League West prior to the strike. He was most active throughout the '80s, when he became known as one of the better hitting pitchers of his era. I remember the moment well. Watson led off the fifth with a double, but no one scored as Valenzuela pitched out of it again. When did Fernando Valenzuela throw his first no hitter? Correa proposes on field after WS win Valenzuela will have his jersey retired on Aug. 11 during the Dodgers' season. Prior to a handful of relief appearances as a September call-up in 1980, Valenzuela's entire career consisted . You had some tough times during the game. 17 October 2007. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. document.write(update); Signup for our newsletter to get notified about our next ride. Valenzuela's best post-Dodgers year came in 1996 with the division winners in San Diego, as he was 13-8 with a 3.61 ERA in 33 games, including 31 starts. Los Angeles will make it an entire weekend, with a collector's edition bobblehead given out to fans on Aug. 12 and a replica 1981 World Series ring given out on Aug. 13. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Julio Ricardo Varela, Special to ESPN.com, In one of his greatest moments, Fernando Valenzuela tossed a no-hitter 25 years ago, There still is talk, and little else, of MLB expansion in Mexico, Dodgers, Padres playing with full decks in Monterrey, Valenzuela, A-Gon, headline top 10 list of MLB players from Mexico, The Padres want to win over fans and become the team of Mexico, How collectible medals and Facebook likes encouraged cheaters in the Mexico City Marathon, Mexican driver Alexandra Mohnhaupt sports a formula for success, A young amateur boxer faces a battle outside the ring, Straight out of the Mexican League and onto the Boston Red Sox, Sports world in Mexico celebrates Guillermo del Toro's Oscars-winning night, Golfer Abraham Ancer just might be Mexico's next big swing, A football league shines in Mexico under soccer field lights, Three things Daniel Suarez will do in NASCAR this year, Five things we learned in the Caribbean Series. After the series, Steinbrenner issued a public apology to the City of New York for his team's performance, while at the same time assuring the fans that plans to put the team together for 1982 would begin immediately. Scorpio Baseball Player #17. To put that in perspective, per capita income has increased approximately 60% across America since 1981, meaning the kid from Mexico, who took the Majors by storm, pitching eight consecutive complete games over his first eight starts, was making the modern day equivalent of $68,000. Speaking to ESPN Deportes, El Toro shared some of the stories and feelings from one of the greatest moments of his career -- although, as he says, nothing compares to winning the World Series with the Dodgers. Yankee third baseman Graig Nettles suffered a hairline fracture of his left thumb when he made a diving stop. Then, Lopes lifted a fly ball to right that Jackson lost in the sun and dropped for an error. In 1988, a year in which the Dodgers won the World Series, he won just five games and missed much of the season, despite not being on the postseason roster, he still earned a second World Series ring. Fernando Valenzuela was a pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981. Though, he was unable to pitch that postseason due to. The expanded playoffs led to Game 1 of the World Series being pushed back to October 20, the latest starting date for a Fall Classic up to that time. He was 23-26 with a 4.02 ERA, an 89 ERA+ over those two seasons, but authored a no-hitter on June 29, 1990 against the Cardinals. John pitched seven shutout innings, and Goose Gossage closed for his second save in two games. The Yankees cut it to 32 in the second on a Bob Watson homer and a Larry Milbourne RBI single. Despite the Dodgers history of success, which has been primarily attributed to American players, the teams future is bright as a result of Gonzalezs talent and Mexican heritage. However, "Fernandomania" deserves more than just one night. The team is confident in Jason Heyward. During that season, the 1981 season, he finished with a 2.48 ERA in 192. Morris went 3-0 in that 1984 postseason with two complete-game victories in the 1984 World Series. callback: cb Copyright 1999- Frazier would take the loss and become the first pitcher to lose three games in a best-of-seven World Series and second pitcher to lose three times in any World Series (the first being Lefty Williams, a member of the Chicago White Sox in the best-of-nine 1919 World Series). New York's bullpen further collapsed in the sixth. Because anyone who says they don't realize is not focused on the game is not watching what is happening in the game. It's time for Dodger baseball! The Dodgers swept the World Series in seven games. He was 87 when he died. Randolph smashed a two-out solo home run in the second and Rick Cerone batted in a run with a single in the third for a 40 Yankee lead. Prior MLB experience: Valenzuela was an absolute workhorse for the first seven years of his career. After making 255 consecutive starts to open his career, Valenzuela was shelved for the first time as he missed most of the final two months of the season on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury. The Dodgers, on the other hand, were unable to complete the feat, losing in five games to the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. He won a World Series in 1981, and generally accomplishing more before the age of 26 than the average major league pitcher accomplishes in a full career. This broadcaster thinks so. Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. There Valenzuela led the Texas League with 162 strikeouts, finishing the season with a 139 win-loss record and a 3.10 ERA. listeners: [], "So I'm going to ask you to do it on three, so they can hear it all the way to Houston. This was the Dodgers' first title since 1965, their first victory over the Yankees since 1963, and third overall Series win over the Yankees. The Yankees, managed by Bob Lemon (in his second stint, having replaced Gene Michael), had a losing second-half (2526) but won the first-half (3422) to qualify for the playoffs. After the first pitch, Scully left fans with the phrase he uttered before every Dodgers game that he called from Brooklyn to Los Angeles before retiring. That's why it was so important. His best game probably came on Apr. Valenzuela was the first player in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season. The greatest lineups ever? His career highlights include a win-loss record of 173-153, with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.54. The young southpaw would come out of nowhere . LOS ANGELES -- On June 29, 1990, Fernando Valenzuela tossed a no-hitter, an achievement that carved his place among the Major League elite as the first Mexican to achieve this feat. Let's face it. "Somewhere up in heaven, Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Gil Hodges are laughing their heads off. SPONSORED. Here's how WBC offenses stack up with MLB's best. Mike Piazza, Corey Seager and Valenzuela are the only Dodgers to win Rookie of the Year and a Silver Slugger Award in the same season. 1981 Pinch-hitter Bobby Murcer attempted a sacrifice bunt, but popped it foul. The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! He seemed to be in trouble every inning, but somehow managed to pitch a complete game, giving up. When Dodgers scout Mike Brito is behind home plate at Dodger Stadium, he uses his radar gun to measure the speed of incoming pitches. Pitchers from 1983 to 1987 were among the most common. While exhilarating, in many ways the success of the 1988 Dodgers was also bittersweet because the ultimate celebration came without the team's two biggest stars of the 1980s. His Game Three win in the World Seriesa gut-wrenching 147-pitch, 5-4 victorywas the turning point as the Dodgers began a four-game win streak to beat the Yankees. He became a sensation in 1981, when he won the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards. Valenzuela pitched a shutout in the 1981 World Series and helped the Dodgers win the championship. He signed with the Tigers in 1992 but was lent to the Mexican League and spent all season with Jalisco. You've been practicing for a week. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. He was a six-time All-Star during his 11 seasons in Los Angeles from 1980-90. The early part of Valenzuela's career [ edit] How comprehensive is our World Series data? He issued a one-out walk to Mike Scioscia and gave up a pinch-hit homer to Jay Johnstone to make the score 65. Former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela looks skyward during his windup, a delivery he made famous in the 1980s. One of the Dodgers' legendary stars celebrates his birthday. With a lead and the Dodger Stadium crowd behind him, Valenzuela appeared to finally settle down. ! Morris started the most games, pitched the most innings, and had the most wins of any pitcher in that decade. It's good to know, though, that we're able to take care of him. 1988 Dodgers player profile: Fernando Valenzuela, the injuredsuperstar. Most Popular #47312. Valenzuela was called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen in September 1980. Valenzuela would eventually get his big payday in 1986 when he became the highest paid pitcher in baseball by signing a three-year, $5.5 million deal. Fernando Valenzuela World Series Stats The Fernando Valenzuela World Series stats seen below include his World Series year-by-year hitting stats, World Series fielding stats, and World Series pitching stats (where applicable). He will be honored from Aug. 11-13 when the Dodgers host Colorado. How do you remember the double play that finished off the game? Valenzuela made an immediate impact with the Dodgers in 1981, winning the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards, inspiring "Fernandomania" as the Dodgers won the World Series. NL Los Angeles Dodgers (4) vs. AL New York Yankees (2). He was voted the NL Rookie of the Year, and won the Cy Young Award in 1981, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers win . Fernando Valenzuela is sitting in a booth at Dodger stadium above right field. Year Team League; 1981: Los Angeles Dodgers: NL: NL Cy Young. "It went so fast." Forty years ago, he was the 20-year-old rookie, bursting on the scene as Major League Baseball's first Mexican . He had more strikeouts than walks in just five of his 23 appearances. Winfield's huge contract (US$21 million over 10 years), was added to an already strong lineup. John managed to strand Guerrero in scoring position to end the seventh and pitched the last two innings, but closer Gossage never got in the game. How many years did Juan Valenzuela pitch in the MLB? Not that they think it's going to happen -- that's another thing -- but when it gets past the fifth or sixth inning, they start paying more attention because the game's almost over and they're close to a no-hitter. The Dodgers have a long history of having Mexican players. He has been writing about the sport for over five years and is passionate about sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game. Ace starter Ron Guidry won 11 games against while rookie Dave Righetti emerged as an important starter, winning eight games with a 2.05 ERA. Because to throw a no-hitter, you need support from the offense, you need them to make runs. The Dodgers won the title in seven games. That year, he would also help the Los Angeles Dodgers win their first World Series since 1965, throwing a complete game and getting the win in Game 3 against the New York Yankees. The Dodgers tied it in the fourth on an RBI single by Game 5 hero Steve Yeager. But I think all pitchers know what's happening. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Hooton scored standing, after which Lemon pulled Davis in favor of Rick Reuschel. Ron Guidry held the Dodgers to four hits and a run (on a Steve Yeager homer) through seven innings. He appeared in six consecutive All-Star games. Valenzuela was at odds with his manager on whether or not he was hurt all season, per Sam McManis of the Los Angeles Times: "I've had a bad year," Valenzuela said. event : evt, Fast delivery and guaranteed savings! Both home runs were hit on sliders almost to the same place in left-center. Dodgers reportedly sign reliever Alex Reyes to 1-year deal. Odds & lines subject to change. In the seventh, Dusty Baker led off with an infield hit off George Frazier and went to third on a Rick Monday liner that got past center fielder Bobby Brown when he tried to make a shoestring catch. Valenzuela won his first eight decisions and the Dodgers captured the World Series title. What were your thoughts at the time? ABC's coverage was also simulcast over the Yankees' and Dodgers' local television outlets, respectively WPIX in New York City and KTTV in Los Angeles. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. 1981 Fleer Fernando Valenzuela RC #140 Graded FCGS 10 GEM MINT!! In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela pitched a three-hitter in the third game of the World Series as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees. Needing a win to stop the Dodgers' momentum in this series, the Yankees trotted out their ace, Ron Guidry. On the road, Fernando Valenzuela pitched 13 games, had an ERA of 3.41, pitched 95 innings, allowed 78 hits, had 36 earned runs, 37 runs, and 4 home runs, walked 38 batters (3 intentionally), threw 3 wild pitches, hit batters 1 times, and balked 0 times. When players went on strike in 1972, they agreed to include it in the collective bargaining agreement. Ron Davis gave up two in the eighth by walking Derrel Thomas and Davey Lopes to lead off. Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea (born November 1, 1960 in Novojao, Mexico) is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher who pitched for six different teams during his Major League Baseball career, most notably the Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom he pitched for eleven seasons, from 1980 to 1990. ESPN Deportes: How do you remember June 29, 1990? It was fate that enabled me to throw that no-hitter. He wore a white Panama hat that day. Fernando's reputation was enhanced with wins in both the 1981 division and league championship series. $115.00. In 1980 Valenzuela was promoted to the Double-A level San Antonio Dodgers. He was on the Dodgers 1988 World Series championship team, but he did not play in the postseason because of his ailing shoulder. Heres how to watch and listen to the game. Things happened, because they are things nobody can predict when these games will happen. Lemon pinch-hit for his starting pitcher in the fourth inning of a 11 game. "Those activities are kind of my outlet. Not only was he 8-0 with five shutouts after his first eight major league starts, but he pitched nine innings in each of those first eight starts. Unfortunately for Valenzuela, the Dodgers held all of the cards in negotiations. Gambling problem? He showed up in the postseason, too. "It's not my arm. Fernando Valenzuela delivers a pitch for the Dodgers during a game in April 1984. Then I went straight to Mike Scioscia, who was the catcher, and said, "We did it," and that's how the game ended. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Ron Cey, meanwhile, provided him a 30 lead in the Dodger half with a three-run homer off Dave Righetti. Valenzuela, a native of Mexicali, Baja California, was a Dodgers amateur free agent in 1990. SUMMARY Career WAR Copyright 1999- Jessy is an avid baseball fan and writer for the popular website, Baseball Writes. The four survivors would then move on to the two best-of-five League Championship Series. dark. I've also got some photos of that day, but nothing else. Across his field of view are the Dodgers' retired numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53. I'm going to have to go to the bullpen. The Yankees pushed across two more in the eighth off Steve Howe on a RBI single by Bob Watson and a sacrifice fly by Randolph. Lopes reached second and stole third with no throw by catcher Cerone three pitches later, because Davis pitched from a windup rather than a set position. Next. [15] With a stronger farm system and adding valuable players via trade or free agency, they did win division titles in 1983 and 1985, while narrowly missing in 1982. The Los Angeles Dodgers won their fourth World Series in a row in 1981 when they defeated the New York Yankees in Game 6 at Yankee Stadium. Fernando Valenzuela Position: Pitcher Bats: Left Throws: Left 5-11 , 180lb (180cm, 81kg) Born: November 1, 1960 in Navojoa, Mexico mx More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Cy Young Rookie of the Year 6x All-Star 1981 World Series Gold Glove 2x Silver Slugger ML PoY 34 36 34 33 34 34 Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. It was for that reason, Valenzuela, who sparkedFernandomaniaacross Dodgers Nation, refused to report to Spring Training the following March until he was paid a fair wage. The Dodgers gave Valenzuela the lead back in the bottom of the fifth off Frazier when Pedro Guerrero doubled in Steve Garvey to tie it, and Cey scored on a double play grounder by Mike Scioscia. They would also appear in the World Series in 2018 against the Boston Red Sox, which they also lost. } Yes, of course. We also offer a variety of resources for baseball players, including tips on hitting, pitching, and fielding. Valenzuela was on the mound to start 1988 for the Dodgers, the sixth opening day start of his career, trailing only the seven made by both Don Drysdale and Don Sutton in Dodgers franchise history. I think everything came together with the team, my teammates rose to the occasion and we finally did it. NL Rookie of the Year, pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, lasted the entire game despite allowing nine hits and walking seven and constantly pitching out of trouble. Welch, who had been acquired mid-season from the Oakland Athletics, won the decisive Game 6 to give the Dodgers their first championship since 1965. In addition to the National League rookie of the year award and a Silver Slugger, he won the award as a 20-year-old. Yet nobody is allowed to wear number 34. The Yankees lost Reggie Jackson (who left in free agency), Graig Nettles (traded in 1984), Goose Gossage (left in free agency in 1984 only to play once more with them in 1989), and Tommy John (traded away to California before returning in 1986), among others. In addition to the National League rookie of the year award and a Silver Slugger, he won the award as a 20-year-old. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. He went finished the season 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA, 11 complete games and eight shoutouts. The Dodgers have an unofficial policy or only retiring uniform numbers of players and managers in the Hall of Fame, with Jim Gilliam the only exception. or Best Offer. All Rights Reserved by Baseball Almanac, Inc.Hosted by Hosting 4 Less. His best seasons were 1981, his rookie year, and 1986, when he led the National League with 21 wins and had a league-leading 20 complete games. You're always looking to win, you always want to win the game, but if something more happens, like putting up nine zeros, getting a shutout or even throwing a no-hitter or a perfect game, that's something harder. [18], Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 23:06, Dodger infield of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey, "Stanley Cup Final: Kings vs. Rangers in L.A.-New York Championship Duel", "Fall Classics: The 11 World Series showdowns between the Yankees and Dodgers", "1981 World Series Game 1 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees", "1981 World Series Game 2 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees", "1981 World Series Game 3 New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers", "1981 World Series Game 4 New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers", "1981 World Series Game 5 New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers", "1981 World Series Game 6 Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees", "The Fourth Inning Hook (BaseballHistoryShorts.com)", "Yanks Are Now 0-4 on the Brink at the Stadium", "Dodgers' infield of the 1970s had a lasting impact", "World Series Gate Receipts and Player Shares", 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers at baseballlibrary.com, 1981 New York Yankees at baseballlibrary.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1981_World_Series&oldid=1139597486, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 23:06. The Yankees batters had early success against Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch, who faced four batters without recording an out before being relieved by Dave Goltz. Budding star, Pedro Guerrero, would move to the outfield becoming a regular starter for the first time in his career, in place of the aging and often injured Reggie Smith. stats, pitching stats (where applicable), cumulative career totals This seemed to have a calming effect on the rookie, as Scioscia knew Spanish and was better able to talk with Valenzuela than Steve Yeager.[10]. Coming off their first championship since 1965, the franchise was in a strong position to stand firm. Composite Dodgers 2023 team prospect rankings. Valenzuela became the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to throw a no-hitter, as he tossed a six-hitter in a 60 victory over the St. Louis Cards at Dodger Stadium on June 29, 1990. var pfHeaderImgUrl = '';var pfHeaderTagline = '';var pfdisableClickToDel = 0;var pfHideImages = 0;var pfImageDisplayStyle = 'right';var pfDisablePDF = 0;var pfDisableEmail = 0;var pfDisablePrint = 0;var pfCustomCSS = 'https://www.baseball-almanac.com/css/print.css';var pfBtVersion='2';(function(){var js,pf;pf=document.createElement('script');pf.type='text/javascript';pf.src='//cdn.printfriendly.com/printfriendly.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(pf)})(); Did you know that in the Fernando Valenzuela Miscellaneous World Series Items of Interest section seen above you can click the Stats link under the World Series label and a truly comprehensive history of that World Series will appear on your screen?