(In light of the passing of Los Angeles Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela at the age of 63 earlier this week, I felt it apropos to run back this Fan Teaser from February 2023. We were still in our infancy then, but it was a popular edition and bears repeating. Rest in peace, Fernando.)
If you guessed Los Angeles Dodgers’ lefthanded pitcher Fernando Valenzuela as this week’s Fan Teaser answer you’re correct.
Forty-two years ago, Fernandomania began regionally in southern California, but by the time the season had reached its halfway point it was a full-blown epidemic nationwide. His unusual windup that had him gazing skyward for a moment fascinated, as did his reliance on the screwball, a pitch that was not featured by many in the Majors.
And what a magical season it was. Valenzuela, just 20-years-old, won the National League Cy Young Award, the NL Rookie of the Year Award, was the NL’s All-Star Game starting pitcher, and also won the Silver Slugger Award for best hitting pitcher (batted .250 with seven RBIs, and a triple). Oh yeah, his went 3-1 over five post-season starts as his Dodgers won the World Series.
Valenzuela played in the Majors until 1997 and was still actively pitching professionally – as we learned from former “Conversations with Sports Fans” guest Zach McClellan (Season 1, Episode 33) – he was still pitching professionally as a 46-year-old for Mexicali in the Mexican Pacific Winter League in 2008. The Dodgers will honor Valenzuela this season by retiring his #34. Read about his impact on the Los Angeles community here by Los Angeles Times columnist, Bill Plaschke.
The very same Los Angeles Times produced a 9-episode YouTube series in 2021 celebrating the 40th anniversary of Fernandomania. It is, to borrow a phrase from another Fernando, “mahvalous.” You’re able to view those episodes below.
Episode 1 – Fernando, the Hero
Episode 2 – Fernando, Discovered
Episode 3 – Chavez Ravine Ghosts
Episode 4 – Mexican Sandy Koufax
Episode 5 – 1981 Opening Day
Episode 6 – A Changed Fanbase
Episode 7 – The Screwball
Episode 8 – The Media Adapts
Episode 9 – Meeting President Reagan
Just to review, The Fan Teaser was the creation of former Ann Arbor News Sports Editor Geoff Larcom. Longtime friend and fellow Ann Arbor News alum, Pat Schutte, took it to heights previously unknown. We aim to keep it alive here at The Sports Fan Project. The cropped photo and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.