1981-05-08 Dodgers - Fernando Valenzuela shuts out the Mets (Last Inning)

[@chrismv102]

I was at this game with my Dad. He was a Dodger fan who lost his team and switched to the Mets. Being born in the 60's I wasn't as invested in that loss like so many in the Borough of Brooklyn were but I did enjoy sharing my love of baseball with my Dad. We sat about 10 rows up on the first base side. I could see Fernando's telltale delivery of looking up to heaven during each pitch. It's a great memory.

[@bracita15]

That’s great! I was 18 years old when Fernandomania was in full swing. Saw him pitch about 4-5 times. I always ended up sitting in the blue upper section over by the 1st base side though.

[@goldeneve]

RIP Fernando thank you gracias para todos

[@leopoldoenriquez2526]

The best things that has happened to us in many many decades. A huge loss at still a young age. He was a phenom at 20 yrs old. I followed and identified with him as we were the same age and I also emigrated from Mexico to the US at almost the same time. RIP champion. You will be missed dearly. 😢

[@tgarcia3440]

Me gusta escuchar que los Cronistas de béisbol Americanos hablaban muy bien de Fernando , incluso un narrador de los Astros de Houston le decía el Joven hermoso, otro narrador de los Expos de Montreal cuando les ganó en Montreal el pase a la serie mundial dijo , en Montreal nunca habíamos tenido un equipo como este soñamos con la serie mundial pero se nos atraveso el sensacional Fernando Valenzuela .

[@lemmiwinks09]

RIP Fernando and thank you for preserving this gem. The Athletic referenced your video link, hopefully allowing more people to enjoy this gem!!

[@lougee9210]

I was a chubby 15-year-old acne-faced Mexican teenager back in 1981, so watching Fernando cause such a craze in the Major Leagues was such an inspiration not only to myself but to so many other Mexican/Latino kids at that time. Every time I think of my high school years I can't help but think of my sophomore year & the excitement of living through the height of Fernandomania. Even though he only had about 7 good productive years in the majors, no one can ever take away that 1981 magical year that will always belong to Fernando Valenzuela! Viva el toro forever!!!!!!!!

[@timothyouellette2815]

Very, very well said my friend. Countless people I’m sure would say something similar!

[@MannyL-g3m]

I watched him pitch live at Dodger Stadium early 80’s as a kid. Great memories.

[@Mr.NoName1972]

My Father knew Fernando's Agent Tony DeMarco and would get tickets from him in the early to mid 80's. Fernando Valenzuela should be in the MLB Hall of Fame. All though his numbers declined after 1991, he still ranks in the top 10 in career strike outs, though a Dodger future Hall of Famer is on the verge of 3,000 career strikeouts; Clayton Kershaw.

[@tonypierson6613]

I was a skinny white guy in LA. I loved that magical run. Years later I caught his no hitter on he radio (so think Dave Stewart may have pitched one the same day)?

[@jettp3810]

The best line Vin Scully said about Fernando Valenzuela after his no hitter: “if you have a sombrero, throw in the sky.”

[@Jiltedin2007]

I can never forget this game! The morning after this game, there was a sports headline on the Herald Examiner that read: Etchohuaquila 1, New York 0 Meaning that the Dodgers won this game 1-0 as Etchohuaquila was where Fernando was born in Sonora, Mexico.

[@guadalupegutierrez17]

Jajajaj, estuvo buenísima esa de Etchohuaquila 1-0 NY

[@gustavoresendiz8253]

Por mucho, el mejor beisbolista mexicano de la historia y uno de los mejores deportistas de todos los tiempos, te saludo con respeto, sr Valenzuela saludos desde Ecatepec, México !

[@rumarspencer7302]

RIP FERNANDO, Thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and old teammates.

[@usctrojans001]

Fernando was Amazing in '81 and My Family got to see all of his Games at Dodger Stadium! Back when Starting Pitchers where expected to Complete the Entire Game! No Middle-Relief, No Closer.

[@manofiske3318]

There were, indeed, players who served, regularly, in 'middle-relief' and/or 'closer' roles HOWEVER , only out of true necessity , for the most part and were certainly _not_ venerated in the grotesque manner in which they are regarded in today's perverted version of the "grand old game"

[@justanothergoy5900]

🇲🇽

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Goose Gossage anyone?

[@realessayog6947]

Those times were the best.

[@TheFunkybert]

If they managed young pitchers arms better back then he would have made it to the HOF. But man, he was great!!

[@Moonlightmoonlight39]

🌹RIP Great baseball player. My dad loves baseball too . 💪❤️⚾️ México 🇸🇳

[@pauls3392]

Fernandos notorious screwball is a thing of the past. Not many major leaguers use it anymore. The way his would twist into the strike zone is magic.

[@vaughnmild4467]

Yu Darvish & Hector Santiago (who hasn't pitched since 2019) had them in their arsenal's

[@DanielSong39]

Screwball still exists and is fairly common, they just use different terms for the same pitch

[@7srchoed]

It kills your arm. There are other effective breaking balls that put way less stress on the shoulder and elbow.

[@Slinger43]

Fernando Mania was a crazy & fun thing to witness, and even crazier & more fun to be in the middle of! What a awesome year that was for The Dodgers & all us Fernando crazed fans, it & he was something special 💪👍 #Go Big Blue Wrecking Crew!! #Thanks for the memories El Toro!!

[@fast03vette4me]

Plus if you were L.A. located the Lakers were awesome too!

[@Slinger43]

@@fast03vette4me Oh Hell yeah they were/are! Fernando Mania & Magic Mania were jump'n off at the same time! It was & is a GREAT time to be from the LA area!! 💪😎

[@thomasarriaga6587]

No steroids...no sports strength coaches, just pure talented individuals

[@DanielSong39]

Actually both were around back then

[@0AlphaAndOmega0]

Steroids where already being used .

[@rocknrallsoul94rockero4]

Cocaine 😎

[@7srchoed]

This is a ridiculously stupid comment. You think improving your strength and power with good nutrition and a strength program is the same as steroids. Idiotic.

[@thomasarriaga6587]

@@7srchoed what's really retarded is your comment. All the juice in the world won't make you a pro pitcher. And if it was being used, it was at the beginning stages of perfecting.......what did I "trigger" with a particular word......oooooh .....

[@juanmarin2427]

I never missed any of fernando's games when I was a kid in Mexico great memories

[@justanothergoy5900]

🇲🇽

[@dagobarron9230]

Este jugador debería de estar en el salón de la fama...

[@cabroneriasmx5250]

The Legend , The Spectacular Fernando “El Toro” Valenzuela, The Pride Of Mexican Baseball.

[@monarchmoore9590]

Simon

[@justanothergoy5900]

🇲🇽

[@pep590]

Wow, a pitcher pitching the entire game??? How is this even possible??? Oh the humanity!

[@romelovesdan]

WE NEED some more Fernando-mania games!

[@NBZW]

Heard a story about Fernando back in the 80s, he would help put food on the table with his rock throwing skills. No doubt about it with his most excellent control.

[@hectorlopez1069]

He had the best pitching stuff for the dodgers. The best pitcher from Mexico.

[@TheFunkybert]

FERNANDOOOOOO!!! ❤

[@villedocvalle]

Thx Vin for the awesome call.

[@e2go]

Fernando was an artist on the mound.

[@warlaker]

How many others are looking at videos like this to remember Vin?

[@oldiesgeek454]

Me! 😊

[@masteringpostproductionsound]

Looking to remember Fernando😔RIP

[@tonypascale5317]

I met him a few times. Super nice guy!

[@rudolphrios1601]

I worked at a Buick dealership body shop. Our head tp paint manager had a corner of the shop with an easy chair, pole lamp, table, radio and TV all for watching the Dodger games. He was set and his department put out TOP NOTCH paint jobs back then. That was a time. Great memories.

[@TruthHasSpoken]

May never happen again for a first year pitcher ... 7-0 with 5 shutouts and 6 complete games.

[@villedocvalle]

Legendary, and looks like a total regular dude off the street

[@cabroneriasmx5250]

Agree.

[@djjllbc]

I get extremely prideful when I remember El Toro AKA Fernandomania! I was 4 years old growing up in a single parent home. My mother Rest In Heaven would put on the game on television and muted it while listening on the Spanish radio channel Jaime Jarrin narrate (with that larger than life voice) the ball games every time Fernando Valenzuela would pitch! Fond memories! There will never such a high caliber of ball player than Fernando! Los “Doyers” as my mother would say along with every other Mexican in Los Angeles!

[@TruthHasSpoken]

@@djjllbc Fernandomania took over the country and ever kid was imitating his delivery.

[@juanantonior7288]

That mfk screwball!!

[@hectorlopez1069]

Wonderful pitcher, An icon in the history of the Dodgers.

[@adm712]

I was a 9 year old living in Brooklyn at the time and I clearly remember there being a buzz earlier that day that Fernando would be pitching against the Mets

[@rafaelmariscal4582]

Recuerdo a Fernando en el 81 ,82 después de debutar en grandes ligas vino ese año en invierno a jugar al Pacífico también. En esos tiempos se pichaba hasta 150 lanzamientos por partido. Hoy en día a los 100 y dejan el partido . Les cuidan más el brazo por obvias razones. Grande Fernando. Novato del año y Cy young en el 81 y campeón mundial y contra los Yankees.

[@justanothergoy5900]

Cumplio casi todas las metas de uno en una misma temporada...un lograzo

[@marcor22044]

Si por eso se lo acabo Lasorda

[@conradoayala5677]

Inolvidable juegos de mi paisano, muchas alegrías nos regaló, que mi DIOS lo siga cuidando FERNANDO.

[@justanothergoy5900]

🇲🇽

[@bracita15]

Back in 1981, my friend and I went to watch Fernando pitch. It was my first time ever at Dodgers Stadium. Walking in and looking down at the field took my breath away. It was like walking into a cathedral! My friend said that we had to take a radio and binoculars. At first, I only understood the need for the binoculars because we were high up on the upper deck. Why the radio though? We needed it to be able to hear Vin Scully (the sports caster that you hear on this video)call the game. Funny thing is, at one point, I lowered the volume on my lil boom box. That’s when I realized that you could hear everyone else’s radios echoing throughout Dodger Stadium!

[@wwetnabamafan194]

A little Earth, Wind and Fire in the background for the postgame show, awesome!

[@gargantuaism]

Scully is talking about the most shutouts by a rookie was EIGHT and Fernando tied that and it was a strike shortaned year! If it was a regular year he probably would have ended with at least 14 shutouts.

[@signysix6860]

how did the Mets not get a run with 7 hits and 5 walks... That's some good high pressure pitching getting strikeouts when needed

[@stevejohnson1577]

Its the Mets

[@josefino72]

The screwball and the record breaking infield of Cey, Lopes, Russell, and Garvey.

[@cybrhunk333]

The Mets weren't so good back then..gritty but talent challenged.

[@jasonglessner1932]

Maybe lots of double plays?

[@cybrhunk333]

@@jasonglessner1932 Very likely. Doug Flynn won a gold glove for the Mets as a 2nd Baseman, he was excellent at turning DP's!

[@samuelmata3601]

NO WORDS, ONE OF THE BEST MEXICAN PITCHERS EVER !!!!

[@epaddon]

Mike Scott pitched his heart out in defeat. His best game ever as a Met before they gave up on him and traded him to Houston where he turned his career around completely. I remember watching the WOR telecast that night and the Kiner's Korner postgame show had LaSorda and Scott.

[@so.cal.sportsetc.1293]

I remember him well. I believe that he even led the league in strikeouts one year when he was an Astro.

[@alexvasquez537]

@@so.cal.sportsetc.1293 Wasn't that 86? I could look it up but going analog here.

[@so.cal.sportsetc.1293]

@@alexvasquez537 No, it was actually '81. I remember making the recording.

[@juancarlosbelboder2534]

@@alexvasquez537 if you are referring when mike scott struck out 300 it was 86

[@cybrhunk333]

1986 was a big year for Mike Scott. He pitched a no-hitter to clinch the NL West for the Astros and probably would've pitched the Stros into the World Series if the NLCS had gone to a game 7 --- the Mets had no answers for him in that series.

[@waterboxer87]

Fernandomania was a wonderful slice of life.

[@dickjohn2673]

It really was I couldn't wait to go to dodger stadium. Now don't want to be within 20 miles of that sewer on a hill

[@villedocvalle]

Dick John, it’s the same now, you were never a real fan anyway.

[@realessayog6947]

Is it just me or these camera angles are 1 million times better than the ones now ?? Why do we have such wide-screens basically focused on everything BUT the player..

[@juandediosibarraromero9344]

Saludos desde el Bacame Nuevo, Etchojoa, Sonora, México...

[@jaypee7632]

Beautiful delivery!

[@josecarvajal2905]

El mejor picher Mexicano de la historia de MLB. DODGERS #1

[@carlosgarcia4921]

La humildad de Fernando Valenzuela

[@so.cal.sportsetc.1293]

Very classy. Something that is missing with most sports today.

[@carlosgarcia4921]

@@so.cal.sportsetc.1293 yes Sir , I'm totally agree with you.

[@tomasramirez3636]

Numero uno fernando valenzuela

[@robgoose]

His final thought in the interview: to thank his teammates. Class act!

[@jorgeponce5512]

@@so.cal.sportsetc.1293 Age 20, massive success coming all of a sudden, yet he remained the same down-to-earth kid.

[@juanmarin2427]

fernando y hugo grandes de mexico y contemporaneos como blue demon y el santo como juanga y pepe que viva mexico y Ecuador tambien

[@santosgutierrez6641]

EL MEJOR PICHER MEXICANO

[@tomasvillarreal6810]

I was only six years old when I seen him pitch in the astrodome. I think he was every Mexican American little league player’s hero.

[@manofiske3318]

"...when I _saw_ him pitch..."

[@joeysbestfriend2614]

You’re lucky, I wish I got to see him pitch at Dodgers stadium. Never had the chance

[@rildorosales6352]

Gracias Fernando conquistaste MLB de costa a costa, fuiste grande y tendrás la gloria eterna, DEP⚾⚾🙏🙏 .

[@TheMoonchild1969]

His teammates adored him✌

[@YaxkinRetrodisko]

RIP Fernando. “if you have a sombrero, throw in the sky.”

[@anothermonday5664]

Didn't he have something insane like eight shutouts for the entire season?? Staggering to think that Vin Scully was already 30 years into his career at this point 🤯

[@oldiesgeek454]

@another. It was something like that. I was thinking it was more like 5 straight that began on opening day. If it weren't for the players strike in mid season of '81, Fernando would've won 20 games I'm sure. 😊

[@hectorlopez1069]

He put up great numbers for the dodgers. The legend of the Dodgers.

[@josedoloresmaciasrodrigu-zf3pf]

Grandioso querido Fernando, cuando tendremos uno como tú con DGO Generales, estuviste pero de contrario

[@gerardog2663]

Recuerdo cuando lo vi por primera vez en televisión en vivo, no lo conocía, pero como se empezó a hacer muy famoso rápidamente, pues llegó el momento en que lo vi.

[@essencebeautysalon8578]

Tenía 11 años, y en mi cuarto apagaba las luces y prendía el radio para escuchar a estos 2 grandes locutores en inglés y español.

[@danielgonzalez2259]

I was a teenager at the time didn't care for baseball or Fernando but I had to watch him because everybody would be watching him ,then evenchely I became a fan couldn't escape it Fernando .

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

I was at this game and made $15.00 slipping my ticket stub through the window at the Baskin Robbins next to the field-level gate to let people sneak through to the lower level (I had a season ticket). Fun times!

[@jesuspenaalzua978]

Siempre espectscular, siempre efectivo, siempre FERNANDO. Gracias Dodgers.

[@josefino72]

What a great pitching staff, just to name a few; Hooton, Welch, Reuss, and Fernando. Can’t remember who else was in the rotation.

[@EnglishMagic777]

If I remember correctly, Orel Hershiser was there that year and so was Bobby Castillo (reliever)

[@josefino72]

@@EnglishMagic777 Orel made his debut with the Dodgers in 1983. Bobby Castillo was definitely on the team that year.

[@oldiesgeek454]

@Jo Jo Steve Howe was another pitcher on the staff that year.

[@johnnyrokkit]

A treasure. Thanks for posting! Where can I get one of those jackets? 😎

[@jorgejohnson451]

He would end with 8 shutouts after getting his 5th so early in the year.

[@jjuanmarin]

and i think was a short season because of the strike

[@jorgejohnson451]

@@jjuanmarin great point. I forgot about that. The strike canceled a third of the season.

[@crisofordiaz8057]

Parte de la defensiva,Ron Cey,"El pingüino"hace tiempo que no lo veia

[@1607trojan]

We miss you Vince! Fernandomania !!!!

[@lcue4263]

Vin

[@Epic-co4kk]

That guy was extremely humble

[@Jman76]

What a BEAST!!! RIP Toro :(

[@juanmarin2427]

grande fernando y jarrin al senor jarrin tambien lo escucho desde nino

[@marioricci6650]

RIP El Toro # 34. What a legend!

[@hectorlopez1069]

He was so great for the dodgers in the 80s.

[@heir_to_the_promise]

He was 8-0 with a .25 ERA in his first 8 games. No closing pitcher..... enough said.

[@pep590]

Yes, the bullpen had the night off, whenever Fernando pitched.

[@heir_to_the_promise]

@@pep590 That's nuts. The rest of the pitchers had an extra day of rest just because of Fernie's longevity.

[@pep590]

@@heir_to_the_promise I totally agree. Great point.

[@vikingjerome2438]

My hero go doyers!💙

[@sanford943]

Fernando had 7 or 8 good seasons and it would seem like he was on HOF trajectory. I wonder if the Dodgers let him pitch to long into games in 1981 and beyond. Pitch counts did not become available until 1988. In that season starting pitchers threw 140 pitches in 55 games. Maybe that wasn't too many if you were completing games or at least going 7 or 8 hittings. That does not happen today. The average start today is probably 5 or maybe 6 inning at best. The game has really changed when it comes to pitching.

[@oldiesgeek454]

I remember him struggling badly early in the 1988 season. They finally just put him on the shelf for the rest of that championship season.

[@jorgeponce5512]

Unforgettable.

[@javiersolis7861]

Props to that interpreter that watched out for him and coached him at the end to say thank you to his teammates. Obviously that interpreter knew the times they were in. To have the awareness to suggest those words to Fernando in that moment is amazing. He knew those words would catapult Fernando into the American culture and that El Toro would be accepted by the American fan base. Beautiful to watch.

[@marcoantoniob]

Que tremenda humildad,

[@fransiscoscaramanga674]

damn..............fernando was 21 years old here yet looked like he was 45-50.......

[@bamboowomandancing]

Que dios lo bendiga!

[@marcor22044]

I Wonder how many pitches did fernando trew in this game...140?

[@thomaswolf723]

My remembrance of Valenzuela is that he was pudgy. His body looks relatively svelte in this game.

[@TheMoonchild1969]

Fernando parece no tenía ni idea de lo que le decían en inglés. Con la mirada perdida en el vacìo...casi a punto de reír.🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

[@isabelmunive1833]

Si el beisbol mexicano llegase a obtener una presa olímpica favor de preparar un PASTEL para celebrar este logro. SOFTBOL FEMENIL.

[@realessayog6947]

In this current Era, where do you see "complete games" and "shut out games" ?? As many strikeouts as innings you've pitched ??

[@tommyriam8320]

10:12 Doggett's toupee is insane.

[@so.cal.sportsetc.1293]

That's not Jerry Doggett, its Ross Porter.

[@craiglizt8074]

RIP, Fernando

[@palbano99]

How does Mazzilli swing on a 3 - 0 pitch in a one run game, bottom of the ninth?

[@luisgarcia-dd8qc]

Fernando ....great that is it

[@jjuanmarin]

also fun to see a young jaime jarrin with a mustache

[@chedeleon77]

Fernando Mania

[@jjuanmarin]

he would pitch all 9 innings

[@danielarmstrong9971]

Just think with the way MLB is today you will never see this again.

[@subg8858]

How you going to swing 3-0 in that scenario?

[@pepino735]

HE UNDERSTOOD WHAT THE REPORTER WAS ASKING that's why he kept smiling at es "un indio ladino"hahahah

[@michaelastorga3187]

He was older than he revealed

[@tannerroberts1114]

How fast is he pitching 93-94?

[@kingcassius2586]

With today's radar guns, low 90s.

[@juandediosibarraromero9344]

Animo toro...

[@sergioanayasanchez2762]

Etchohuaquila 1-0 New York

[@davet7454]

"somehow this youngster from Mexico,acts like he´s pitching batting practice, unveliable

[@richmorg1243]

If this game was against D. Gooden on a Friday night. Then I was there. I think Dodgers won 1-0

[@eddiewilbanks1382]

No this was 1981 during Fernando first full year.

[@richmorg1243]

@@eddiewilbanks1382 yes that's the year I went. 👍

[@alexhuertamedina1650]

Yo soy newyorkino, pero Valenzuela hizo lo mejor. Ósea yankee

[@hitmantwestsidebloodsstl677]

Fixed

[@raulescobar7433]

get a job, the man worked hard for kit, Fernando was the men

[@brianhaggerty9565]

El Toro!!!!