Fernando Valenzuela Did The Impossible 36 Years Ago Today

Hi, and invited to different version of Dodgers Dugout. My sanction is Houston Mitchell. Today is 1 of those newsletters that we give to only 1 topic.

Do you retrieve wherever you were 36 years agone today?

Fernando Valenzuela was a awesome pitcher. I deliberation he should beryllium successful nan Hall of Fame for his on-field talents and nan truth he brought thousands of caller fans to nan sport, each crossed nan country.

But by 1990, he was nary longer a awesome pitcher. He was an afterthought connected nan 1988 World Series title team. In 1989, he was fundamentally a convention mean pitcher, going 10-13 pinch a 3.43 ERA. Going into his commencement against St. Louis connected June 29, 1990, he was 5-6 pinch a 4.09 ERA, had fixed up 97 hits successful 94.2 innings and had fixed up 8 runs successful 5.1 innings successful his past start.

Pitching a no-hitter, which seemed imaginable earlier successful his career, was disconnected nan table. And then, well, who amended to return america done that last inning than Vin Scully?

Covering nan Dodgers past for The Times was Bill Plaschke. The remainder of this is his words arsenic written that evening:

Thirty minutes earlier nan Dodgers faced nan St. Louis Cardinals Friday, Fernando Valenzuela noticed connected a clubhouse tv group that Oakland pitcher Dave Stewart had thrown a no-hitter successful Toronto.

“Fernando turned to immoderate teammates and he said, ‘That’s great, now possibly we’ll spot different no-hitter,’ ” Dodger Manager Tom Lasorda said.

It was nan first clip successful nan modern shot era that 2 no-hitters person been sounded connected nan aforesaid day. It was nan Dodgers’ first no-hitter since Jerry Reuss had 1 against nan San Francisco Giants connected June 27, 1980.

“And it couldn’t person happened to a tougher, much competitory guy,” Lasorda said. “You look astatine Fernando and he has done everything successful his profession isolated from a no-hitter. And now . . . this.”

With Willie McGee connected first guidelines and 1 retired successful nan ninth inning, erstwhile Dodger Pedro Guerrero deed a grounder up nan mediate that seemed destined for nan outfield. But Valenzuela stuck retired his glove, nan shot nicked nan leather and rolled to Juan Samuel, who stepped connected 2nd guidelines and threw to first baseman Eddie Murray, who made nan drawback that sent Dodgers moving to nan mound.

“Do you deliberation if I don’t touch that ball, it goes done for a single?” Valenzuela asked afterward. “Whoooa. I deliberation it does. I deliberation I don’t touch it, I’m successful trouble.

“I was conscionable gladsome to spot Scioscia moving to nan mound from nan plate. Only past did I cognize it was over. Thank goodness Alfredo Griffin made nan drawback and nan throw.”

When reminded that it was Samuel who made nan last play, Valenzuela laughed.

“That shows you really excited I am,” he said aft improving to 6-6 pinch a 3.73 earned-run average. “This is simply a awesome infinitesimal for me.”

But successful nan last 3 innings, he threw 49 pitches, and was evidently tired.

“But this was a different benignant of tired,” Valenzuela said. “This benignant of tired did not fuss me. You deliberation I consciousness thing during those past inning? No way.”

“This is simply a different pitcher than successful erstwhile seasons,” catcher Mike Scioscia said. “This feline is not arsenic speedy arsenic nan aged Fernando, but this feline still knows really to win.”

Back to your humble big here. If you want to publication Plaschke’s full article, click here.

When watching nan last inning arsenic called by Vin, I was struck by a tinge of sadness erstwhile Vin gave nan time and clip successful lawsuit “Fernando wants to play this to his grandchildren 1 day.” Valenzuela died successful 2024. He had 7 grandchildren; let’s dream they each sewage to beryllium pinch him and perceive it.

It was besides astonishing to perceive Vin opportunity that Fernando had thrown only 108 pitches done 8 innings, truthful he has plentifulness of ammunition left. Now shot managers and beforehand agency group are acrophobic a pitcher’s limb would autumn disconnected if they propulsion 108 pitches today.

And thanks, Fernando, for each nan awesome memories.

Here’s another nexus to Vin’s call.

Up next

Monday: Dodgers (*Eric Lauer, 3-5, 4.87 ERA [2-0, 2.54 ERA pinch nan Dodgers]) astatine Athletics (*Gage Jump, 3-1, 2.04 ERA), 6:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Tuesday: Dodgers (*Justin Wrobleski, 9-2, 2.71 ERA) astatine Athletics (*Jeffrey Springs, 3-7, 5.52 ERA), 6:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

Wednesday: Dodgers (Shohei Ohtani, 8-2, 1.58 ERA) astatine San Diego (J.T. Ginn, 6-4, 3.15 ERA), 6:40 p.m., SportsNet LA, AM 570, KTNQ 1020

All times Pacific

*-left-handed

In lawsuit you missed it

Wife, kids of Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas successful Caracas erstwhile earthquakes deed Venezuela

Mookie Betts is ‘back’ for Dodgers: Offensive takeaways from bid triumph complete Padres

‘He cares astir people.’ How Dodgers’ Dave Roberts sewage to nan cusp of 1,000 profession wins

Shaikin: Did Padres curse themselves by messing pinch that anti-Dodgers FTD burger?

And finally

Vin Scully and Fernando Valenzuela propulsion retired nan first transportation earlier Game 2 of nan 2017 World Series. Watch and perceive here.

Until adjacent clip ...

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