fernando valenzuela hall of fame voting

Why do they keep ignoring the fact that he was one of th e best? He could hit, he could bunt, field his position. The next season, when he was only 20, Valenzuela energized fans in Los Angeles, Mexico and throughout the big leagues with one of the more remarkable seasons in baseball history. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. . That wasnt a Dodgers shirt. Dylan Hernndez is a sports columnist with the Los Angeles Times. He threw 63.2 innings in the post season with an ERA of 1.98. [button color=red size=big alignment=none rel=follow openin=samewindow url=https://dodgersnation.com/yet-another-dodgers-organizational-loss-cp1085/2018/11/14/]Yet Another Dodgers Organizational Loss[/button]. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Dodgers dont need the long ball to finish sweep of Cardinals, Clayton Kershaw adds to his Dodgers legend with another pitching gem, With Miguel Vargas at second base, Dodgers have an expectation he will get better, Celebrating the legacy of Fernandomania 40 years later, Arellano: The Gospel of Fernandomania: Fernando Valenzuela remains a Mexican American icon, Rookie Zach McKinstry continues his torrid start as Dodgers sweep Nationals. The rule that requires players to be retired for five seasons before appearing on the ballot was waived. in bold letters across the top. The accolades are flattering, but Valenzuela downplays his accomplishments, and hes certainly not going to campaign for recognition. 4), Don Sutton (No. I think it is not too much to say that for Mexican-American communities, Valenzuela was a hero like Hank Greenberg was for the Jews. But Arellano, who for years thought Valenzuela didn't merit Hall of Fame consideration, believes otherwise. He also appeared on the covers of The Sporting News, Sport Magazine, Baseball Digest and countless other publications. The Dodgers won the next three games to claim their first championship since 1965, when Koufax was their best pitcher. Valenzuelas feats lured members of all communities in Los Angeles to the ballpark, including a few unlikely fans: those displaced by the construction of Dodger Stadium. Fernando Valenzuela. Fernando Valenzuela, 80.6% (65.8%): Created tons of Dodgers fans, and with so many big names elected last year, was the first choice among players on a lot of ballots. The pitch has always been about risk-reward with higher on the risk, but Fernando knew exactly what he was doing with it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We will never share your email with anyone, A fan of the Dodgers since 1973 since I got my first baseball cards while living in Long Beach. He was only 20 years old in 1981 when he won the NL Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year, 5th in MVP voting, Silver Slugger and went 13-8 while leading the NL in SHO (8), CG (11), IP (192.1) and K (180). 32), Roy Campanella (No. Here comes Fernando, and now all of a sudden, Latinos were out there immediately because they identified with him. Valenzuela had a solid career, finishing with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997. Before that, he was the Dodgers beat writer. But the team alienated the city's large Hispanic population from the start. We're doing our best to get things working smoothly! Alexandre bernardo teixeira gomes cleveland. But Arellano, who for years thought Valenzuela didn't merit Hall of Fame consideration, believes otherwise. As Fernandomania was taking off, Mike Littwin, then a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, visitedthe pitcher's hometown. I really think theres a home for Fernando in the Hall," says the longtime sportswriter. Doug McKain 06/30/2021. They were blown away. Five years earlier, a statue of Valenzuela was erected at the entrance of Estadio de Bisbol Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara, Mexico. Eliminated from annual BBWAA consideration by poor performance or expiration on this ballot. He placed in the top 5 in Cy Young voting 4 times in 6 years. The Dodgers actually found him, which was in itself a miracle. The Dodgers won the next three contests to clinch the World Series title in six games. I've spent the past 20 years or so making strong arguments in favor of performance standards for the Hall of Fame and using advanced statistics to try to cut through some of the superficialities, and I think it's clear that when you when you look at Fernando Valenzuela, that he's one of numerous pitchers who fall into that What might have been territory, says Jay Jaffe, senior writer at FanGraphs and author of The Cooperstown Casebook: Who's in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Who Should Be In. He had a strong start to his career that was kind of done in by overwork and a leveling off performance-wise, and in that regard, it's hardly unique because we can talk about dozens of other Cy Young winners who never really got to that peak again.. In his book, Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodgers, and the Lives Caught in Between, Eric Nusbaum details how the club ended up with Dodger Stadium, specifically how three Mexican neighborhoods -- Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop -- were destroyed to make way for a housing project that was canceled amid the Red Scare hysteria and real estate speculation. He had a 118 ERA+, a 2.88 FIP with a 33.5 WAR. Nonetheless, Jarrn said, logically, the talent would have emerged sooner or later.. Valenzuela was an All-Star in each of his first 6 seasons. 24), Sandy Koufax (No. Valenzuela should be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. It has sustained itself to the point where I really believe half the crowds at Dodger Stadium now are Latinos.. Valenzuela could receive the Buck ONeil Award, which the Hall of Fame presents once every three or more years to an individual whose extraordinary efforts enhanced baseballs positive impact on society, broadened the games appeal, and whose character, integrity and dignity are comparable to the qualities exhibited by ONeil.. In his next seven starts, Valenzuela completed every game, a rarity. I tried to do my best so they can have a good game, a nice day in the park.. Among 85 eligible voters, 81 cast ballots so 61 votes were the minimum to elect a candidate. The program is trying to recapture its traditions while building new ones in the modern era. The Dodgers were one of the first teams to cater to Spanish speakers with Spanish broadcasts. Valenzuela falls short in all three of Bill James tests making it only halfway in the most accurate predictor getting 25 of the 50 that indicates a HOF election..and then there is abysmal showing in the actual voting. Fernando Valenzuela became a fan favorite in Los Angelesand beyond. What he accomplished from 1980 to 1987 ranks atop any pre steroid performer like Roger Clemens. And ever since his induction into the Hall of Fame, his 1981 Donruss rookie card has enjoyed a nice bump in value. In fact, at this point, it is premature and meaningless to discuss the induction of a nine-year-old pitcher into the Hall of Fame. It was just that Fernando was so exciting, and lots of people wanted to go to Dodgers games. Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2003 proceeded in keeping with rules enacted in 2001. In 1981 Fernando Valenzuela became the first pitcher in history to win the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Bobby Cox, Bud Selig,John Schuerholz, Bruce Sutter, Bill Mazeroski, and many others without the qualifications of Valenzuela are in the Hall of Fame. Fernandos legacy to me is that of Cuban Minnie Mioso, another trailblazer, Thorn says. I had a fastball and a curveball that was good but maybe, a screwball, a pitch that moved in the opposite direction of the curveball, could help, Valenzuela says. Italics mark those subsequently elected. If you look at that video, everybody in that stadium is of the same mind and thinking, She might have kissed him, but we all kissed him, too. We all wanted to get close to him and hug him. To his point: The Dodgers have fielded some bad teams over the last 20 seasons and all but one of them finished the season with an annual home attendance of more than 3 million fans. He was calm and quiet, but very confident and intelligent. 173153 and a 3.54 earned run averagethose are HOF numbers? (Italics mark those subsequently elected. This guy had some unbelievable talent, but for me, the key to Fernando was that he just wanted to be treated like the 24 other players and not get any special treatment. The screwball is hard to learn, even harder to throw and risky because it puts so much stress on the arm. "The Dodgers lucked out," Arellano says of Brita's discovery. (The award was voted at the December 2002 meeting of the BBWAA, dated 2002, and conferred in the summer 2003 ceremonies.). Numbers are there to be worn. Only three players led by Gil Hodges (61%) tallied more than fifty percent support. Especially in L.A., this guy still inspires us. ! There are countless Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans in Los Angeles and across the country with stories like Lopezs. 2002 Baseball Hall of Fame Voting Results. But Fernando at age 20 did not say he was going to redeem the past sins of civic Los Angeles, real estate developers, the Red Scare, progressive activists and racism. A few families held out and refused to leave their homes, even after the city sold the land to O'Malley for the stadium. Valenzuela is not the first Mexican or Mexican-American big leaguer in baseball. A total of 3272 individual votes were cast, an average of 6.60 per ballot. After struggling with injuries he came back and threw his only no-hitter in 1990. Back at sold-out Dodger Stadium, fans bought T-shirts with Valenzuelas name on the back, made their own or bought bootleg versions available all over the city. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB and Facebook. For some, his middling 173-153 won-loss record makes him an unworthy Hall of Fame candidate. Your email address will not be published. The screwball that swept side to side out of the strike one was best against free swingers. Loaiza never again repeated his Chicago success before retiring after the 2008 season. La Opinin. Valenzuela made the Dodgers the team of a community that once viewed the franchise with suspicion. Instead Fernando went the whole way (he probably threw more than 140 pitches) and helped get the Dodgers on the path to winning the 1981 World Series. No game was more memorable than Game 3 of the World Series against the Yankees at Dodger Stadium. At that point, Valenzuela was 5-0 with a 0.20 ERA, and everyone wanted to know when Fernando was going to pitch again. In the 1981 World Series against the New York Yankees, the Dodgers lost the first two games. The fact that he was Mexican and that he was so good, and so humble while on such an incredible run was inspiring, Lopez says. He could lasso anything.. That list starts with Jackie Robinson for African Americans, and it also includes Hideo Nomo and Ichiro for the Japanese, Chan Ho Park for Koreans, Tony Lazzeri for Italian-Americans and Al Simmons (Szymanski) for Polish-Americans. Among 85 eligible voters, 79 cast ballots so 60 votes were the minimum to elect a candidate. The clubs history with Chavez Ravine, the land on which Dodger Stadium is built, is well-documented. After posting league-leading totals in starts, shutouts, innings pitched and strikeouts that would eventually earn him Cy Young and Rookie of the Year honors, Valenzuela continued to make his mark in the 1981 postseason. Dodgers News: Julio Urias Talks About His Fandom of Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers News: Julio Urias Feeds Off the Energy of the Crowd at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers News: Fernando Valenzuela Earns a Very Special Award at Dodger Stadium, The easy calls with great players like Babe Ruth and Willie Mays, The players that accumulate stats over long careers, but may never be considered the best of their generation, much like Don Sutton or Bert Blyleven, Players popular with fans and media, like a Phil Rizzuto. Decades before he starred on screens and on stages across the globe, comedian George Lopez was a young Dodgers fan. He could do everything on a baseball field but run, former teammate and current Astros manager Dusty Baker says. He cant walk five feet at Dodger Stadium without fans of all ages stopping him. There have been those who have thrown the screwball hard and those are the ones who have the arm troubles, Thorn says. I was there when that girl ran on the field and kissed him. Later that summer, Valenzuela attended a state luncheon at the White House with President Ronald Reagan. Voters were instructed to cast votes for up to 10 candidates; any candidate receiving votes on at least 75% of the ballots would be honored with induction to the Hall. Hes at peace with his legacy and place in baseball history. Valenzuela, who had thrown batting practice at Dodger Stadium the day before, learned of his assignment less than 24 hours before first pitch. Didnt . They also obscured a more egregious omission. ?subscriber: (@TimRogers2080) August 7, 2016. As promised, I will attempt to make the Hall of Fame (HoF)case for former Dodgers starFernando Valenzuela. Several artifacts from his illustrious career are housed in Cooperstown at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, but he has not received the call for enshrinement. From an on-field performance impact, his historic first 8 starts with 5 shutouts always comes up first. To lure the Dodgers across the country, the city of Los Angeles evicted local residents from the Chavez Ravine area, north of downtown, where the team planned to build a new stadium. Valenzuela was scheduled to pitch Game 7 in New York, but as it turned out, his heroics in Game 3 helped set the Dodgers on a path to making that start unnecessary. It was a historic run that almost didnt happen. Ive always been asked what the situation is, with Cooperstown and all that, Valenzuela says. High pitch counts in an era when nobody cared about pitch counts, six straight seasons of 250 or more innings pitched when that type of workload was the norm, and the stress placed on his shoulder by repeatedly throwing his screwball shortened Valenzuelas career and ultimately thwarted his Hall of Fame candidacy. Todays Fernando is a fun-loving grandfather with a dry sense of humor and perfect comedic timing. Now, more than 40% of the teams fans are Latino. 2), Duke Snider (No. As the legend goes, Lasorda told Valenzuela in his native language that if he didnt give up any more runs, the Dodgers would win the game, and that Fernando, who was rarely heard speaking English at that time, answered, Are you sure?, I really dont remember, but I think that yes, it was something like that, Valenzuela says. He made five starts, two of which were games where the Dodgers faced elimination. Wow-what horrid reasoning. He began with a high leg kick, then briefly paused before throwing the pitch. ( marks those who were newly eligible since 2001. Still, he remains the only MLB player since baseball integrated in 1947 to win his first eight career starts. Reflecting on his rookie season, Valenzuela spoke of the importance of the emergency start he made on opening day. Nathalie Alonso is part of the editorial team of LasMayores.com, MLBs official Spanish-language website. There have been some rumblings about that, right? If not for Fernando Valenzuela's incredible rookie performance and "Fernandomania" taking the sport by storm, Raines would've easily won the 1981 NL Rookie of the Year Award. Viva Fernandomania! Jarrn said his favorite memory of the 1981 season was of the time he accompanied Valenzuela to a luncheon at the White House that was staged in honor of then-Mexican President Jose Lopez Portillo. He led the MCL with 91 strikeouts. He threw 113 complete games, including 31 shutouts. He still moves the needle. The Los Angeles Times couldnt stop writing about Valenzuela, and The Los Angeles Herald Examiner even had a nickname contest and voted El Toro as the winner. In the clubhouse, Valenzuela showed his youth and flashed glimpses of his playful personality. Design by Tom Forget. It was really important for me because things went well, Valenzuela says. In his 1986 All-Star appearance, he tied Carl Hubbell by striking out 5 in a row. His family lived on a dirt road that was filled with potholes, he says. When he pitched, attendance rose dramatically at home and away games. Fernando Valenzuela: 31: 6.25: Keith Hernandez: 30 . ?subscriber: (@TimRogers2080) November 10, 2018. Opening day of 1981 launched "Fernandomania," a phenomenon in Los Angeles and then the nation named after the Mexican-born pitcher. I was assigned that number. But even Jaffe, a seasoned analyst who relies on hard numbers to make Hall of Fame cases, has a soft spot for Valenzuela. In 1981, the pitcher from rural Mexico helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series titleand energized Mexican American fans. Years with Dodgers: 1980-1990. . He was 75. We created this new class of player called Dodger Legends in our new center-field plaza. The screwball that dropped straight down in the strike zone was best against the most disciplined hitters. Is Fernando Valenzuela in the Hall of Fame? Young won 511 games between 1890 and 1911 and was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame in 1937. Long live Fernandomania! Fernando, who was not very fast with his fastball, piled up the strikeouts because of the screwball, and it was a hard screwball. They also know his voice in Southern California because he broadcasts Dodgers games in Spanish. One thing is certain: Valenzuela broke barriers. He won his first eight starts with seven complete games and five shutouts, on his way to David Venn is the executive editor of LasMayores.com, MLBs official Spanish-language website. He was one of us, and we wanted to be like him.. Fernando also threw a hanging screwball that probably hung in the strike zone too long, but still kept hitters off balance when it was mixed in with all of his other pitches. 34 since he was released by the club in 1991, although the number is not officially retired. TV ratings spiked, too. The Alamillo article pointed to another article that states that of the 3.9 million fans in attendance in 2015, 2.1 million were Latino. Forty years later, he still has the memento. He won the Rookie of the Year award and Cy Young award, given annually to the best pitcher in each league. In 1981, an 11-year-old Jaffe used to cut Valenzuelas box scores out of his local Salt Lake City newspaper and paste them into a scrapbook. Before refuting the premise by citing his career numbers or the brevity of his peak, consider this: Bud Selig,. On the anniversary of Fernando Valenzuela's first and only career no-hitter, we make the case that the Dodgers should retire "El Toro's" iconic . Spencer, who grew up in Southern California, watched Valenzuela transform from a reserved young man to worldwide phenomenon. Future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson had already thrown one no-hitter during the 1990 season when he combined with Chuck Finley to throw another one in Japan. The Dodgers were down 2-0 after the first two games and he pitched a complete game to help the Dodgers win 5-4. Came from Mexico in the late 70's, and Fernando made him a baseball fan. ), Hal McCoy received the J. G. Taylor Spink Award honoring a baseball writer. My short interaction with Brian Kenny seemed to have reminded him. Former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws a ceremonial first pitch before the MLB All-Star Game last summer at Dodger Stadium. Fernando Valenzuela played 17 seasons. 39), Jackie Robinson (No. There are endless stories of Latino Dodgers fans that talk about how Fernando brought either their parents or grandparents into the Dodgers fandom, and now that fandom continues. Fernandomania wasnt just about baseball. On-field excellence aside, his impact off the field for many people of Mexican and Latino heritage made Fernando so important. [25] However, . Then again, the Dodgers are the same organization whose miscalculations resulted in a seven-year television blackout. There were so many interview requests for Fernando that the pitcher was forced to hold news conferences with Jarrn by his side before every home start and in jam-packed clubhouses on the first day in every city the team visited. He was stellar in the 1981 playoffs including his World Series game 3 start. That support was always there. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Numbers are there to be worn.". Dodgers Offseason: Could LA Work Out an Extension with Julio Urias? Dodgers: The Hall of Fame Case for Fernando Valenzuela. Its been a lot of years since someone has worn No. Impianto di terra cantiere alto. Hernandez grew up in South Pasadena and graduated from UCLA in 2002, after which he worked at the San Jose Mercury News for five years. So for me a guy like Dave Parker who I only remembered from his last few years on the As. Large homemade 'Viva Fernando' signs in the bleachers were all the rage. The server is misbehaving. The problem is, many of those folks also vote on candidates for the Hall of Fame, or write articles that influence HOF voting. #Retire34, Tim Rogers 2080 ? (Lou Sauritch/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) Within a few short weeks, Fernandomania was sweeping the nation. We strive for accuracy and fairness. Art or Photo Credit: Tom Forget / MLB.com, Jesse Sanchez, Nathalie Alonso, David Venn. ', So, Fernando in many ways, even though he never had to say it, he was a bridge to let Americans know that, Hey, its going to be OK. Valenzuela is a member of the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame, Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame and the California Sports Hall of Fame. the May 18, 1981, edition of Sports Illustrated, when he threw out a ceremonial first pitch. In the early '80s, theres still this huge migration wave from Mexico that brought up my parents, brought up all of my friends and the parents of my friends, Arellano says. It wasnt a dream come true because nobody could have dreamed it.. Candidates who were eligible for the first time are indicated here with a dagger (). On opening day on April 8, 1981, scheduled starting pitcher Jerry Reuss suffered an injury while warming up. The thing that I remember the most on those games that Fernando Valenzuela pitched, he threw the minimum of 120 to 140 pitches and he had several complete games every year. This articleby Jos M. Alamillo tells his amazing story of how Fernando impacted him. "I've never seen anything like it," broadcaster Jaime Jarrn told Sports Illustrated. The legendary movement from 40 years ago has made him an immortal. At one point, the left-hander made 255 consecutive starts before going on the injured list for the first time in 1988 because of shoulder troubles that cost him two months and the opportunity to pitch in another World Series. The potholes were as big as some of the houses. 34 Dodgers jersey with LOPEZUELA stitched across the back of his shoulders when he threw out a ceremonial first pitch before a Dodgers home game in 2012. Valenzuela still makes an interesting case for the Hall of Fame. I think the players were as caught up as anyone else., Decades later, Valenzuela said his 1981 success was simple. As an encore, the 20-year-old from rural Mexico helped pitch the Dodgers to their first World Series title in a generation. His next shot at Cooperstown will come when the Modern Baseball Era Committee -- a group of 16 members made up of National Baseball Hall of Famers, executives and veteran media members -- meets in 2023 for induction in '24. Jarrn has often remarked on their loyalty. Everything combined to give us those victories.. Fernando mania was born and brought not just Mexicans but the whole Latino to dodger stadium. the number of wins in the Hall of Fame vote still has a significant impact. Jim Kaat was on the ballot for the 15th and final time. He never complained about aches and pains, a trait that also hurt any potential candidacy. Fernando Valenzuela became a star pitcher with the Dodgers in 1981, igniting Fernandomania and giving Mexican Americans a hero still revered today. 34. His importance to the Dodgers, in particular, was critical to the point that former owner Walter OMalley imagined him before he existed. And those that played on great teams like Tony Lazzeri, but werent considered great on their own. Valenzuela's rise to major league prominence began in September 1980, when he was called up from the minor leagues by the Dodgers. I have always tried to see first what I have to do in certain situations and with certain things, and then act. How many strikeouts did Fernando Valenzuela have? They went to the stadium to see him.. He made everybody feel bigger and welcome. Rick Circleliff (1979/1984) - NL 5. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! 12 1 minute read. "He meant everything to a community that was thirsting for a hero, Arellano says. His case is not an easy one to take on as his prime was pretty short, and his career numbers are not eye popping. 34 from their jersey rotation. That helps me get through all those innings. Some know me as the "sweater guy". "Fernando helped get the Dodgers back on track (with fans)," he says. He knew how to play the game. For his career, Valenzuela finished with a record of 173-153, a 41.5 career WAR, a 3.54 ERA, 2,930 innings pitched, 2,074 strikeouts and a 1.32 WHIP. Valenzuela was pitching on short rest, and he clearly did not have his best stuff. Fernando Valenzuela (1981/1981) [8]-NL 4. In 10 games as a relief pitcher, he allowed zero earned runs. I remember how his rivals laughed at his delivery and his weight. This is sport, he told the Times in 2021. Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda started Valenzuela, awakening him from a slumber to give him the news. You can try refreshing the page, and if you're still having problems, just try again later. Fernando Valenzuela had 2,074 strikeouts over his career. I think at that point that we were in the playoffs and the World Series, he knew me and the way I liked to pitch, Valenzuela says. Follow her on Twitter @NathalieMLB. In front of 56,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome, Chuck Finley and Randy Johnson combined to no-hit a team of Japanese All-Stars in a 5-0 win. I threw well -- nine innings, nine zeros. What position did Fernando Valenzuela play? It makes total sense to the Dodgers fans.. Lasorda stuck with Valenzuela and the managers faith in the pitcher was rewarded when Fernando shut down the Yankees the rest of the way. But its entertainment for the fans. The same applies. He struggled at the beginning and Tommy Lasorda was almost ready to bring in Dave Goltz early, which would have probably put the Dodgers down 3-0 and history would be different. The field included four Rookies of the Year (Murray, Valenzuela, Vince Coleman and Todd Worrell), as well as one MVP (Sandberg) and two Cy Young Award winners (Valenzuela and Mark Davis). Peak 38% Longevity 62% Rankings by Hall Rating 522nd All Time (Top 2.3%) 178th among Pitchers Franchise Contributions by Hall Rating LAD 64 (19th) 20), manager Walter Alston (No. In his 1986 All-Star appearance, he tied Carl Hubbell by striking out 5 in a row. Arellano, who grew up in Southern California, was a toddler during the summer of Fernandomania. The 2002 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot Results are detailed in full by Baseball Almanac. Dodgers rookie Zach McKinstry, known as Z-Mac to teammates, hits a two-run home run and doubles in a run in a 3-0 win over the Washington Nationals. By then, Fernandomania was in full swing. One thing is certain: Valenzuela broke barriers. Sooner or later, it has to be properly recognized. When its good, its incredible, and when executed perfectly, youll never forget it.

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