OT: RIP Fernando Valenzuela

[cgolvin]

Don't know how I missed this piece of news yesterday, very sad at only 63.

The early 80s were an amazing time to be a Dodgers (really, baseball) fan because of Fernando. Phenomenal talent (also at hitting and fielding his position) and a lovely human being. RIP.

[pinkshogun]

The passing of Luis Tiant last week also went unnoticed

[jimcav]

i remember how excited I was to open a pack and find his rookie Topps card when I was in 6th grade--had no idea he was less than 10 years older than me at the time he was a rookie MLB pitching phenom.

[ColonelJLloyd]

He was 20 years old in 1981. What a season.

He'll be remembered as a Dodger and that's fitting, but they really did wrong by him in '91. As a result, however, a lot of us fans of other teams got to have him as ours for a bit.

This is not one of them, but I find it cool that many of his baseball cards showed him at the plate.

[ctcyclistbob]

RIP Fernando and also to Luis Tiant. These were a couple of talented pitchers who also provided entertainment to generations of fans.

Fernando looked up during his windup; Luis turned toward second base while looking down. I'm not sure how each could take his eyes off the batter so drastically, then refocus on pitch location. Seems tough to do but the deception may have contributed to their success.

Both were outstanding pitchers.

[45K10]

I was a Braves fan back in the 80's. Many a time I watched Fernando destroy the Brave's line-up.

[54ny77]

Fernando fever!

Class act.

RIP.