How the Dodgers discovered Fernando Valenzuela

How the Dodgers discovered Fernando Valenzuela | Fernandomania @ 40 Ep. 2

Рет қаралды 600,495

3 жыл бұрын

(English and Spanish subtitles available)
Full documentary available here: • Fernandomania @ 40 - F...
Episode 2 starts in Mexico, specifically, Etchohuaquila. This is where Fernando Valenzuela's humble roots began. He starts his baseball career at 16 years old and quickly makes a name for himself. Valenzuela and guests discuss his desire to succeed as a professional ballplayer, the birth of his devastating screwball and his remarkable debut with the Dodgers in late 1980.
EPISODES:
Fernando, the hero - • Everybody wants to hav...
Fernando discovered - • How the Dodgers discov...
Chavez Ravine ghosts - • Why the Dodgers are ha...
‘Mexican Sandy Koufax’ - • Before Fernando Valenz...
1981 Opening Day - • How Fernando Valenzuel...
A changed fanbase - • How the look of the Do...
The screwball - • What made Fernando Val...
The media adapts - • How the Dodgers and me...
Meeting President Reagan - • How immigration policy...
SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDEOS AND NEWS
kzfaq.info_c...
www.latimes.com/subscription
LET’S CONNECT:
Facebook ► / latimes
Twitter ► / latimes
Instagram ► / latimes

Пікірлер: 476

@lochnessmonster5149 3 жыл бұрын

June 1st, 1991, Fernando had a rehab start in Little Rock, Arkansas. Over 12,000 fans packed into tiny Ray Winder Field to see Fernando pitch. Over 2,000 fans stood on the warning track during the game. Fernando allowed just 2 hits and Midland won 4-0. The fans met Fernando with thunderous applause every time he stepped onto the field. Still probably the greatest day in Arkansas sports history despite the fact that everyone in attendance was rooting against the home team.

@ogmandog 2 жыл бұрын

Thats badass!

@paulestrada501 Жыл бұрын

Ot rd screerreut😊yÿuoyyy Yuhhh y y the boys have

@paulestrada501 Жыл бұрын

The first time you 🎉😢ov🎉yt🎉gin

@ALCRAN2010 Жыл бұрын

Would have loved to have been in attendance!

@horizonsky9269 3 жыл бұрын

Why isn't this a movie this man is incredible

@coolstan63 3 жыл бұрын

Mike Brito reminds me of Don Corleone from the Godfather

@wlouisharris 3 жыл бұрын

It should be. Great story. I was a young boy playing baseball and EVERYONE was imitating Ferndando's pitching wind-up. He was a sensation. It was cool to see a latino guy make the rise.

@bearcookie13 3 жыл бұрын

George Lopez can play him!

@hansomesolo1136 3 жыл бұрын

Because he's Mexican

@lloydkline1518 3 жыл бұрын

❤his unhittable screwball

@bsb1975 3 жыл бұрын

There should be a movie for this guy's life. There have been so many amazing baseball players from Mexico and the Caribbean that a movie needs to be made about at least one of them.

@georgemartinez4476 3 жыл бұрын

We need to get Edward Olmos behind this

@Metalingots 3 жыл бұрын

Roberto Clemente was from Puerto Rico would be a good one. How he passed away was sad, but he was on a great mission to help the people of Nicaragua after an earthquake by three time's sending supplies to Nicaragua only to have the supplies stolen corrupt people in the Nicaragua government. He decided to go on the fourth plane trip with the supplies to hope tje government wouldn't steal it if he was there. By chance the plane crashed, and his body was never recovered. I started going to the Pirate games in 1973 through the YMCA, and never got to see him play in person. I have a plaque I had make of him with his picture on it. His batting average was .312 his last season. He reached 3,000 hits in his last season. Truly a great man.

@KandelaGC 3 жыл бұрын

There Will be one, trust me

@Mertens310 3 жыл бұрын

He’s not black Hollywood is focusing on black movies only so forget it lol 😂

@MacMac1313 3 жыл бұрын

@@Mertens310 Exactly !! Regards 🇲🇽🤝

@pumpkinking5174 3 жыл бұрын

Grew up in Philadelphia, was a big Fernando fan as a kid.....was thrilled when he briefly played for the Phillies late in his career. I went to each of his home starts for the Phillies.

@terrywest111 3 жыл бұрын

I felt the same when he came to the Padres. I was geeked! lol

@tonypascale5317 2 жыл бұрын

I'm 52. It was so exciting to experience Fernandomania as a teenage Dodger fan. I met him twice and he was very nice too. Such great times!

@racheyraych8060 3 жыл бұрын

I grew up watching the Dodgers in the 70s 80s and forward. My father ,rest in peace ,was a diehard Dodgers fan. He even listened to the games on the radio and he’d be yelling at the radio all the time LOL ,he was so awesome. And I’ve gone to many Dodger games including Fernando Valenzuela games.

@vincentrobinson9645 3 жыл бұрын

I remember Fernandomania back in 1981. Fernando looked so fearless out on the mound, and I remember him striking out George Brett in the all star game

@jeremycrandall2899 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, he’s become pretty fluent at English over the years. I seem to remember that in the ‘80s, Lasorda always had to have somebody interpreting when he’d go to the mound to talk to Fernando.

@TheBoxingProdigy95 3 жыл бұрын

Mexicans who stay in the US and love it will try their best to learn

@mackydog99 3 жыл бұрын

He had complete command of the English language..........in baseball terms. Fastball, screwball, curveball, etc,etc, etc. 5 shutouts in his first 8 starts! FERNANDOMANIA was born. I was lucky enough to have attended many of those games back in the 70's and 80's. When Fernando showed up in 1980,you couldn't hardly get seats in the bleachers!

@BMG19FUNNYDIE 3 жыл бұрын

40 years later...

@joekurtz8303 3 жыл бұрын

Didn't Tommy send coach Amalfotano out to the mound early on to communicate w/ Fernando,. Before relief or in a tight spot ⚾️

@jeremycrandall2899 3 жыл бұрын

@@joekurtz8303 That’s entirely possible...I don’t remember exactly.

@David_USF 2 жыл бұрын

RIP Mike Brito. Without you, there would have never been Fernandomania.

@PrinceTron1 3 жыл бұрын

I'm from Chicago and a Cubs fan. I started following the Cubs and MLB in the late spring of 1986 as a 12 year old. It took me some time to not only learn all the Cubs players history and stats but other major league teams both National and American league. When the Cubs finally played the Dodgers at Wrigley Field I finally was introduced to Fernando Valenzuela by Cubs announcer Harry Carey describing him. I was amazed at his build, his pitching style and how athletic he was. I also learned that he could hit and handle the bat. One of my favorite early Fernando moments in 1986 was at the All Star game in Houston. As recall, Fernando and Teddy Higuera of the Milwaukee Brewers were both in the game pitching. As I recall, Fernando struck out the three batters he faced and Teddy Higuera also look impressive for the American League. Fernando Valenzuela's story is among the greatest underdog sports stories of all time.

@tonydelariva7163 11 ай бұрын

I'm about Fernando's age and my kids were all born during the Fernandomania years. I remember everybody telling me that I looked like Fernando...When Fernando's picture was on the Wheaties box, one day we were in the store and my son saw Fernando's picture on the box of cereal and said "daddy!!" Lol I am actually from the Bay Area and I'm a Giants fan but I loved watching Fernando pitch back in the day. He was a great source of pride for Mexican-Americans everywhere.

@aaronrey2658 3 жыл бұрын

I remember going in 1980 and saw Fernando's call up .. he was awesome. He had pop, nobody knew what he was throwing.. his rookie season was insane.. LA blew up with Fernandomania

@cr0tumweat544 3 жыл бұрын

the only thing more famous In L.A. than Fernando was the NIghtStalker. And both of them were uncircumcised

@ACEDIAMOND666 3 жыл бұрын

THE SCREWBALL MASTER!

@fuji4202 3 жыл бұрын

I’m a Giants fan . Tommy , Fernando and Garvey . Legend!

@anthonyriche552 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando was one of my favorites. I’d run and watched him pitch on TV whenever the Dodgers were on NBC. He was sooo good and that screwball was a marvel to watch. He could hit too! Just an all-around good athlete and a strikeout king when he took the mound.

@BreDawg714 3 жыл бұрын

They say he was pitching in Mexico like at age 45, still striking people out.

@lloydkline1518 3 жыл бұрын

Unhittable screwball

@disprogreavette8545 3 жыл бұрын

I believe it.

@AbeVicious 3 жыл бұрын

When I was young I always wondered who that guy behind the plate was. The hat, the radar gun. I'm now 34 years old and now know.

@otgbaby4615 3 жыл бұрын

Who

@LeoniloArellano 3 жыл бұрын

A 34 year old geezer with a radar gun lol. Jk 😅😂

@chrischar9428 3 жыл бұрын

Aldo Cella

@harryhighland591 3 жыл бұрын

So did I. To me he was "Panama Hat Guy With the Radar Gun."

@pascualgarcia1303 3 жыл бұрын

God gave us Fernando.. made us all proud. Fernando Valenzuela.. jugador de todo a todas..mexicano de verdad.. nacido en navojoa..

@20alphabet 3 жыл бұрын

Lol, hardly. God is better than that.

@JohnnyVee007 Жыл бұрын

@@20alphabet nope. you were born, so..

@20alphabet Жыл бұрын

@@JohnnyVee007 Go build that wall, dummy.

@salvadorcastanos5834 8 ай бұрын

Nacio en Etchohuaquila lo vi varias veces en la liga central y en la del pacifico el gran gran Fernando Valenzuela 🇲🇽✌😎

@backwoodhound3426 3 жыл бұрын

I got a picture of my dad with Mike Brito and we play baseball in the “Mike Brito league” you’ll see him often casually strolling by the park blasting musica Cubana and with a big ol’ cigar. Cool man really laid back

@rudolphrios1601 3 жыл бұрын

Here in San Antonio my mom and some friends used to go to the games and they went out to get something to eat and they paid for whatever he wanted to eat and drink. That was a fun and exciting time. He was treated like royalty here. I am glad he was happy here.

@danielzunigagutierrez6300 3 жыл бұрын

What a nice feeling to see all these Dodger exmembers still ticking.

@bretharley7480 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando is looking rough for being 61

@airbender4040 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando Mania!!! He was definitely one of my favorite Dodgers of all time...And Pedro Guerrero 🙌🏾

@eliassalcedo5229 11 ай бұрын

Guerrero was like Serrano from Major League movie.

@joevicario9815 3 жыл бұрын

What I remember about Fernando is his glance towards heaven every time he delivered a pitch.

@t-squared6406 3 жыл бұрын

yeah,he did that on cue,unbelievable!!

@3dbadboy1 3 жыл бұрын

It was unbelievable. I think it was his first six games where he didn't give up a run (or almost didn't) and I think they were complete games as well ... this as a rookie.

@tonyhamilton9764 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando was my first baseball player infatuation. I was a young kid in San Diego wearing a dodgers jersey all because of Fernando. Love to see this article.

@Sadboy61904 3 жыл бұрын

🤮

@chitoyk8o554 3 жыл бұрын

@@Sadboy61904 im sure thats everyones reaction when they see you

@monchitoscalecrawling5035 3 жыл бұрын

My grandpa was a diehard Dodgers fan...miss You

@jaimetejada2439 3 жыл бұрын

Diyey adony

@lupillos7404 3 жыл бұрын

I remember going to go see the dodgers in the 80’s play Fernando pitching everyone loved Fernando Valenzuela to this day I can say was a great Mexican pitcher 80’s were awesome.

@michaelbabella1103 3 жыл бұрын

News articles at the time said he only knew one word of English: Millions

@o0xst 3 жыл бұрын

glorp

@KSU-ce2uc 3 жыл бұрын

I remember Johnny Carson saying the first word he learned is renegotiate. That was hilarious and after his year.

@thomaswin83 3 жыл бұрын

As a kid. Me and my friend Jose used to have contest on who pitched the most like Fernando Valenzuela. Used to be 1 of my favorite pitchers 😎

@TravelingwithValeman77 3 жыл бұрын

I am a righty, but I tried to pitch lefty and looked up at the sky just before I threw the ball. Just like Fernando!

@ALbaby869 3 жыл бұрын

Fernandomania was awesome!!!!!

@lgndnhswnmnd 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this post! Grateful for KZfaq!

@Palootski 3 жыл бұрын

Love him or hate him. Fernando was definitely a machine and he deserves that respect . Very glad I was able to see him pitch in the Houston Astro Dome !!!!

@chucklynch6523 3 жыл бұрын

Nobody hated him. He was great in every way!

@jonstefanik9400 2 жыл бұрын

Who's gonna hate on Fernando?

@marc108 3 жыл бұрын

Love the accent when he isn’t speaking such eloquent english

@okamisan3642 3 жыл бұрын

I'll always remember how he use to look up before delivering the pitch. He's alive!!!

@lackdeaver9934 3 жыл бұрын

I bet Mike Brito knows where Hoffa is.

@norms3913 3 жыл бұрын

He probably where that missing Malaysian airlines is too

@Kenikex 2 жыл бұрын

😂😂

@roberthuot7887 3 жыл бұрын

Such a shame he missed out on 88 world series because of injury.

@adonismapother 3 жыл бұрын

Man I remember going to my first Dodger game in 2011 when I just moved to Los Angeles from Bay City MI and in fact it was on Fernando Valenzuela bobblehead night and when I saw him I felt that he was my friend because growing up I never had any friends because of my race and I lived in a 99% white city and I was the only brown boy, but I followed Fernando Valenzuela legacy by introducing me to baseball and since then I played in my high school years and I enjoying loving for baseball thank you Fernando Valenzuela for everything what you done for the city of LA and for the Chicanos (Mexican American) for bringing them to Dodger Stadium to become Dodger fans 💙🙏🏻⚾️

@charlesfoutch1132 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando is a great role model. He seems to be a very good person.

@sgod6617 3 жыл бұрын

Im from Tennessee born and raised and a dodger fan from the time i knew what baseball was i remember when he came up and Fernando mania was born what a great time for baseball and im still a die-hard dodger fan i love to learn anything i can about them.

@boomieboo 3 жыл бұрын

Great doc on a legend. Thanks for sharing!

@dvdgway 3 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid, I used to mimic him by looking up at heaven every time I threw a pitch

@arturomartinez3440 3 жыл бұрын

Siempre mostró tener nervios de acero, aunque no tenía experiencia, ésta la superaba por la gran seguridad que reflejaba al momento de enfrentarse a un bateador desde el "montículo". En su debut en LMB en 1979,se enfrentó nada menos que al gran pitcher Ramón Arano, el famoso "tres patines". Encuentro celebrado entre "Leones de Yucatán vs Cafeteros de Córdoba".

@rolltidelbc2832 3 жыл бұрын

He’s loved by soooo many folks still! Just a great guy!

@disprogreavette8545 3 жыл бұрын

He was popular in Canada back in the day. Maybe not so much in 81 when he beat the Montreal Expos to take the NL championship but the rest of the time he well loved.

@charlesfoutch1132 3 жыл бұрын

I was lucky to see Fernando pitch live. He is a great role model. People don't realize how big Fernando was. The dodgers made a fortune on him and his first year he made the league minimum $34K I believe. Fernando was tickled to make so much money.

@daylonmonette1847 3 жыл бұрын

League minimum was $150k then... his bonus may have been $34K

@charlesfoutch1132 3 жыл бұрын

@@daylonmonette1847 min was 21K average was 124K

@daylonmonette1847 3 жыл бұрын

@@charlesfoutch1132 September call-up when he pitched for one month would be the pro-rated minimum. I played 7 years of pro baseball. I actually used to play against Valenzuela son. He was a damn good hitter...He’s now the coach at LB State.

@MrYatesj1 3 жыл бұрын

Love Fernando. I was a big time Dodger fan back then. Lasorda was the Best Manager, he built so many great squads

@johnwgibson24 3 жыл бұрын

I went to the first home game that he pitch, I didn't know about him, but something was different, the excitement before the game, sold out crowd, and got to witness an Historic game I'll never forget. I was only 12 and it took some time to realize that..

@alfredomiranda6315 3 жыл бұрын

Love listening to the Doders on my dad's radio! With my dad in the back yard while BBQing.

@Trapper50cal 3 жыл бұрын

After the actions of the Dodgers Organization and Los Angeles City Officials at Chavez Ravine, they did not have many Latino fans...Fernando changed ALL of that, pretty much single-handedly.

@theblock2424 3 жыл бұрын

I was a Giants fan and hated the Dodgers, but I loved Fernando! Ok, Steve Garvey, too-a solid, humble ball player

@iris_stern3726 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando was the greatest uncircumcised pitcher to ever play for the dodgers!

@josephosornio620 3 жыл бұрын

My dad Gonzalo Luna knew Mike Brito, when he lived in Hobbs, New Mexico. Mike Brito's family member, Carlota Garza was a very good friend of ours!!!!

@romeoalpha68 3 жыл бұрын

There are just some Players especially Pitchers in MLB that capture the eye of the Nation . Even people who don't follow baseball . Mark Fydrich & Fernando Valenzuela are two that just seemed to catch fire . Thankfully one of them Fydrich played for my Tigers . Everyone wanted to see these two when they were in their Rookie Seasons . The late 70s and early 80s were amazing times in baseball .

@romeoalpha68 3 жыл бұрын

Fidrych sorry

@jayboyee452 3 жыл бұрын

I remember everybody was naming their kid Fernando

@mackydog99 11 ай бұрын

I'm 70 now and lived in Long Beach back then. Went to many games at Dodger Stadium. My favorite memories of Fernando were in his rookie year. His first 8 starts, he threw 5 shutouts! Give me a break! Who else had that kind of rookie season? Fernandomania was born and will never die! Go Dodgers!

@joey0077d 3 жыл бұрын

Wow 40 years ago. Like it was yesterday. Thank You Fernando for being part of L.A. Dodgers!

@juliomoreno4960 3 жыл бұрын

Back in those days Mexico had three of the best players in three sports.. fernado, julio cesar chavez and hugo Sanchez.

@davanmani556 3 жыл бұрын

The late Salvador Sanchez.

@MrBraveheart1191 3 жыл бұрын

Aun que un poco más atrás también Rafael el pelón Osuna - Único mexicano en ganar grand slam - Llevo a Mexico a una final de copa Davis - Único mexicano en ser rankeado número 1 a nivel mundial - Único mexicano en el salón de la fama del tenis 🎾

@MrRourk 3 жыл бұрын

South America had the Formula 1 Driver

@MrBraveheart1191 3 жыл бұрын

@@MrRourk Ayrton Senna 🙂

@20alphabet 3 жыл бұрын

They should've kept them over there.

@djquinn11 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando was awesome, really enjoyed this video.

@steelers714 3 жыл бұрын

Lasorda burned this guy's arm. Did the same to Darren Dreifort. His career could have lasted longer

@MrMotavlogs 3 жыл бұрын

I remember as a little kid listening to my dad and uncles(all Padres fans) yell at the television every time Lasorda had him playing back to back games.

@soupdragonuk 3 жыл бұрын

Same as Dusty Baker destroying Kerry Wood and Mark Prior's arms. Both could have had superstar career lasting way longer than they did in reality.

@jamescampione8531 3 жыл бұрын

@@soupdragonuk u

@soupdragonuk 3 жыл бұрын

@@jamescampione8531 What?

@joeytomko1520 3 жыл бұрын

It was a completely different game for pitchers back then. All pitchers went way longer per game than they do now!

@antistalinist4552 3 жыл бұрын

I fondly remember Fernandomania. Those were some great times.

@gabodds2221 2 жыл бұрын

I remember the Fernandomania craze. His games were so dramatic.

@PoeCompany 3 жыл бұрын

Mexico City sits at ~7,300ft even more than a Mile High city like Denver at ~5,280ft.... 2,000ft difference. Impressive

@BERTO3127 3 жыл бұрын

I love him for how he played and represent the good people of mexico

@angelmatos9143 3 жыл бұрын

One of the better baseball moments, ever.

@teamcq9204 3 жыл бұрын

Pretty cool story. Definitely loved it

@wolfpack9958 2 жыл бұрын

I was able to skip school opening day 1981and was fortunate to see Fernandos first career start against the Astros.

@miri9885 3 жыл бұрын

The video didn't even mention for a pitcher, he was a pretty good hitter too...

@jeremycrandall2899 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah...I remember some announcers in the ‘80s making a connection between him and Babe Ruth, cuz, like a young Babe, Fernando was a good hitting pitcher, and they looked a lot alike.

@drinkthekoolaidkids 3 жыл бұрын

Oh yeah I remember he was a real good hitter especially against the early/mid 80s Braves .... Bob Walk , Rick Camp and the rest ....

@NVzla 3 жыл бұрын

My son, my father and I share the same name as Fernando, and last name. Everywhere i go, anywhere I say my full name, i get asked if we are related to this guy.

@garbo8962 3 жыл бұрын

So many great Spanish baseball players over the years. Can not understand how in last 20 years they produce the best catchers. Everybody in Philly loved " Chooch" as our catcher. Was the best philly catcher in my life time and a really nice guy.

@Blanco150 3 жыл бұрын

Too bad he was injured in 88’ season. It would have been awesome to see him pitch in a real World Series Title Win 😉

@rickkinki4624 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando and the Dodgers won the World Series in 1981!

@jeremycrandall2899 3 жыл бұрын

@@rickkinki4624 The ‘81 season was shortened by 50+ games due to a strike. I think that’s what Blanco150 is referring to.

@Jonathan-gz1cp 3 жыл бұрын

So what does that make the ‘20 World Series title?

@Blanco150 3 жыл бұрын

@@Jonathan-gz1cp Fake WS title.

@kmena05 2 жыл бұрын

@@Jonathan-gz1cp it's a participation award

@TommyRibs 3 жыл бұрын

There was something in the air that night The stars were bright, Fernando

@cledesma135 3 жыл бұрын

The Dodgers fan base is what it is today because of this man- Fernando Valenzuela.

@ScottyMania313 3 жыл бұрын

Love Fernando. A friend said that at Tiger Stadium, that he saw someone say something in Spanish about his mom. The big guy Fernando turned around, gave him a finger and shouted something back in Espanol. Hahaha

@Metalingots 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando was an amazing pitcher. I liked his pitching style, and he was a good at hitting. Every exciting to watch. When he left baseball for it was disappointing, but then I remember hearing he was coming back. They bounced him around too much he did pretty good at San Diego then he was on three team his last year. I personally think he would have been good relief pitcher, and kept on one team instead of playing on seven teams in his last seven years after the Dodgers let him go.

@josephhickman4759 Жыл бұрын

...such is why I prefer national league baseball... pitchers have to step up to the plate he had thrown at previously innings. Payback sometimes can be a beach. When dusted off the homepage likewise.

@lancehurley9743 3 жыл бұрын

World Series Champion Fernando

@buicklincoln 3 жыл бұрын

Fernando was a threat at the plate too. I remember Lasorda using Fernando on his off-pitching days to pinch hit for that day's starting pitcher at times.

@NBZW 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing pitcher and a genuine person.

@fungusrumpus 3 жыл бұрын

Good stuff!

@rodolfohernandez772 3 жыл бұрын

Growing up my father shared his love of baseball with me and watching Fernando Valenzuela on tv and in person are some of the happiest moments of my life

@20alphabet 3 жыл бұрын

And you still don't understand what being American is like.

@paulvelazquez563 11 ай бұрын

Remember when I was young we was playing Baseball at high school in Sinaloa Mexico. I was 16 then our coach told us than a dodger scout will be watching the game, looking for new talents, and he was there behind the catcher, the man with the lil' hat, a big cuban cigar and whit a radar gun checking every pitch. We all climb the mound and took our chance to show him the skills of everyone, unfortunately I don't impressed him but three of my partners did It. One was called to training at Dominican Republic Atlanta Braves school. Another to Arizona and a couple more to Summer Mexican league. That was a exciting moment to us. And can to see close at Man who discovered to El Toro de Etchouaquila... The Best Mexican Player in MLB.

@Abelardo144 3 жыл бұрын

Really injoyed the vid. Clean cut, short and informative! Just my 2 cents, no hating in any way, but I feel it lacked a little vision, and story setting, overall it is a great video keep it up guys👍

@kevinpoindexter3163 3 жыл бұрын

In the late 80s my best friend's mom and dad took us to St. Louis to see the Cardinals play the Dodgers. We stayed at the same hotel across from Busch Stadium that the Dodgers were staying. My friend and I went down to the lobby hoping to get an autograph from any of the players. When Fernando walked in my friend ran up to him with pen and paper in hand. Fernando looks at him, shakes his head, and says "Outta my way, kid!" Nice fella!

@m.a.p.4hp737 3 жыл бұрын

He did the same thing to my friend an me. We tried to say hello to him at a golf course in Montebello, California. Years later Valenzuela and l were in an elevator together. I didn't sat shit to him.

@Area43-uBoot 3 жыл бұрын

1. Not a baseball fan 2. Never heard of fernando valenzuela 3. Lived and work in LA/OC 30 years The title of the video got me to watch and I can't stop watching the series. Such a great story and even better man.

@harolddenton6031 3 жыл бұрын

You missed out on watching a superstar pitcher in Fernando. Man the dodgers were loaded back in 1980 to 1990's with many super stars like Fernando and Oral Hershiser mowing batters down as starting pitchers for the dodgers.

@MemeorReeeM1 3 жыл бұрын

Papa pinoy would love this.

@gturcott1 3 жыл бұрын

Jerry Reuss is awesome guy too! Amazing photographer

@harolddenton6031 3 жыл бұрын

When I was a young boy playing babe ruth baseball the Los Angeles dodgers had both Fernando and oral hershiser as starting pitchers. They were both two of my MLB pitching superstar role models as I also pitched for my baby ruth team.

@petecampa 3 жыл бұрын

A brief stop in Lodi Ca...my home town...👍

@christiantovar7724 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, I live in Tecate and when they mentioned Tecate it gave me.chills

@nonamegarage6721 3 жыл бұрын

I saw him pitch for the San Antonio Dodgers right before they brought him up. He went right from AA to the bigs....

@FATHERSOFBASS 3 жыл бұрын

That’s bad assss he’s came from nowhere a nobody from across the boarder to being one of the most respected famous baseball players in history

@Twobarpsi 3 жыл бұрын

I used his delivery in a couple of little league games that I pitched. Ump couldn't believe it. Struck everyone out! Very deceptive. I remember Fernando mania well.

@lostammo8956 3 жыл бұрын

Good story I love my town down in Sonora back in the humble days late 80 early 90s

@Homer23D 11 ай бұрын

Great story ☝🏽❤️🙏🏽

@TheDfresh420 3 жыл бұрын

Loved watching him pitch when I was younger

@marqueso1600 3 жыл бұрын

I have a Leones de Yucatan baseball cap like the one he's wearing in the thumbnail! 👌🏿

@FRANCOMEX1000 Жыл бұрын

Netflix we all want a series about Fernando Valenzuela

@duality4739 3 жыл бұрын

That’s the Goat 🤝

@lloydkline1518 3 жыл бұрын

Great acrew ball

@harolddenton6031 3 жыл бұрын

Him and hershiser carried them reallt good dodgers team's in the 1980's.

@lloydkline1518 3 жыл бұрын

@@harolddenton6031 won world series 1981 l.a dodgers,

@davidmata4786 3 жыл бұрын

man this just takes you back.. the LA Times writers, Brito, Campanis, Mota.. Halcion Days indeed..!!!

@superdavid1964ify 3 жыл бұрын

Great to see Manny Mota. Dominican pride.

@jimellerman5686 3 жыл бұрын

He was a great one!

@eliassalcedo5229 11 ай бұрын

My whole family learned about baseball because of Fernando. That was the sport, they watched to see Fernando.

@srreventon 3 жыл бұрын

I do believe he opened the doors to a lot of players from other countries... amazing.. when i saw bartolo colon i did not think he could pitch..boy was i wrong

@axelagosto5196 3 жыл бұрын

You are little late my friend others players open that door

@Paul11B2P 3 жыл бұрын

Great story.

@rogerkinard7446 3 жыл бұрын

Sorry, Mr. Ostler, actually there was nothing crazy regarding Fernando’s background growing up in a small community in Mexico, and, of course, nearly all the young boys played baseball and soccer a lot -- a whole lot more than we do here in the United States. His success in Major League Baseball was not improbable at all, as Mike Brito recognized something in him, and that’s why the DODGERS purchased his contract from the team he was playing for at the time in Mexico. 🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽🇺🇸🇲🇽 Let's go DODGERS 2021!!! ⚾️⚾️⚾️ ROGER, The LOS ANGELES DODGER

@MrMotavlogs 3 жыл бұрын

Thank You good Sir, "His success in Major League Baseball was not improbable at all" Can someone please edit the video and put what Mr. Richard Kinard wrote.

@rogerkinard7446 3 жыл бұрын

@@MrMotavlogs Thank you for such kind words. Yes, Mr. Ostler seems to not have the ability to see things from another’s perspective -- especially if the young talented player comes from a country which has a lot of relatively poor citizens and from a family that is not particularly financially well off; very sad, indeed !!! ⚾️⚾️⚾️

@MrMotavlogs 3 жыл бұрын

@@rogerkinard7446 The best part of baseball is the huge melting pot of international players. We were in a World War with Japan and even had Japanese-Americans in concentration camps in California during that war, yet 60 years later the magnificent Ichiro Suzuki came into our MLB world and we all till this day love the guy and wish he didn't have to retire.

@nivardofloresperez1169 3 жыл бұрын

I think not only statistics should be important to induct great players into the Hall of Fame, I think charismatic players like Fernando should be admited into HF, for the great impact they caused on the MLB world society at his time. I wish one day during Fernando's life, we can receive the good news that he is in the Hall of Fame...