Fernando Valenzuela: A Look Back At Fernandomania

He made his debut out of the bullpen the Dodgers.  In 1981, he earned a spot in the Dodgers rotation which would set off in Los Angeles in what is remembered as Fernandomania. He won his first eight starts in the major leagues, and a remarkable five of those were shutouts. In the strike shortened season of 1981, he would make 25 starts, 8 shutouts, and 11 complete games, and finished a won-loss record of 13-7.  He was the first to win the Cy Young award, and Rookie of the Year award in same season. The Dodgers won the World Series, 

He was a six-time National League all-star, in 1986, he would win the Gold Glove. A good hitting pitcher, Valenzuela would earn Silver Slugger awards in 1981 and 1983. On June 29, 1990, Valenzuela would toss his only no-hitter in beating the St. Louis Cardinals.  1986 was the only season he was a twenty game winner, winning 21 that season. 

The Dodgers would release him after a power showing in spring training 1991. After a brief appearance with the California Angels, and spent time in the Mexican league before returning to the major leagues with the Baltimore Orioles. He would never enjoy the same success as he did in Los Angeles. He would finish career 173-153 with an ERA of 3.54. He was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. 

Warren Spahn No-Hits Giants

April 28, 1961, 40-year old Warren Spahn no-hits the San Francisco Giants 1-0 with Hank Aaron driving in the only run of the game. Spahn was an All-Star seventeen times, 1957 Cy Young Award winner, and he tossed two no-hitters. He had a won-loss record of  363-245 with an ERA 3.09, and 2,583 strikeouts during his career. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973.

Baseball History: Mariners Acquire Randy Johnson

April 25, 1989, the Seattle Mariners trade their starter Mark Langston, and minor league player Mike Campbell to the Montreal Expos for Brian Holman, Gene Harris, and a lefty named Randy Johnson. Johnson would anchor the Mariners staff for the next ten seasons. He would finish with a 130-74 record with a 3.42 ERA in Seattle. He would be a ten time All-Star, win five Cy Young Awards, a World Series Most Valuable Player Award, pitched both a no-hitter and a perfect game. He also pitched for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Francisco Giants. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

John Smoltz Registers 3,000th Strikeout

On this day in baseball history Atlanta Braves right-hander John Smoltz becomes the 16th pitcher in MLB history to register 3,000 strikeouts. During the course of his career, he would finish with a won-loss record of 213-155 with 154 saves, and an ERA of 3.33. He would register a total of 3,084 strikeouts for his career. He pitched for the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals. His #29 has been retired by the Atlanta Braves. He won the 1996 Cy Young Award, 1997 Silver Slugger Award, and an 8 time All-Star. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

The Chicago Cubs Acquisition of Ferguson Jenkins

On this day April 21, 1966. The Chicago Cubs send pitchers Larry Jackson, and Bob Buhl to the Philadelphia Phillies in return for future Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, outfielder-first baseman John Herrnstein, and outfielder Adolfo Phillips. Jackson and Buhl would combine to go 47-53 for the rest of their careers. Starting in 1967, Jenkins would win 20 plus games a season for six consecutive seasons. He would finish with a record of 284-226 with an ERA of 3.34, striking out 3,192. He was a three time All-Star selection, and won the 1971 Cy Young Award.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers. His #31 has been retired by  the Chicago Cubs, where he ended his career in 1983.

Tom Seaver Tribute

April 20, 1967. The New York Mets Tom Seaver earns his first major league baseball victory beating the Chicago Cubs 6-1 at Shea Stadium. Seaver would earn another 310 major league wins in his Hall of Fame career. He will finish career 311-205 with an ERA of 2.86, and fanned 3,640 major league hitters.  During his career, he will hurl for the Mets, Reds, White Sox, and Red Sox. He was a 12 time All-Star, won the Cy Young Award three times, pitched a no-hitter, and 1967 National League Rookie of the Year. He was a member of the 1969 World Series Champion New York Mets. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992. His #41 has been retired by the New York Mets.