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Fernando Valenzuela

21 posts

The Importance of a Mexican Star

Dave Robert’s selection to start Julio Urias in Game one of the NLDS was a landmark decision that essentially told the world that he had supplanted Clayton Kershaw as the ace of the staff. This was no slight to Kershaw, who continues to thrive as a Dodger starter and will…

By Mark Timmons · October 13, 202270

Player Profile: Orel Hershiser

We Win!!! Orel Leonard Hershiser. Tommy called him “Bulldog.” Born in Buffalo, N.Y., on September 16, 1958. His name is etched in Dodger history alongside many of their greatest pitchers. Most of that praise comes from one magical season when the stars aligned, and he was the…

By Michael "Bear" Norris · October 8, 202223

Making A Spectacle of Yourself

Pitchers who wore them include, Ron Belisario, Corbin Burnes before he had lasik surgery, Tyler Clippard, Ryne Duren, who I remember well when he was an Angel. He once hit a batter in the on deck circle. Eric Gagne, Mel Harder, Joe Kelly, Jim Konstanty, Denny McLain, Kent Tekulve, Julio Urias, Bob Veale, and Fernando. And an umpire, Frank Umont. First ump to wear glasses.

By Michael "Bear" Norris · December 17, 20218

Retired Numbers

Believe it or not, this topic can generate some hot debate. Which players deserve the honor? And that is where the debate begins. The Yankees have by far the most retired numbers, 21. Number 8 and 42 are retired honoring two different players. 42 for Robinson and Rivera. 8 for…

By Michael "Bear" Norris · October 30, 202139

L. A. Dodger Trades The Good and the Bad.

Since the deadline is just a few days away, I thought it might be fun to look back on some of the trades the Dodgers have made over the years. Some were significant in helping the team win, others, well they just were not all that good or popular. Winter: 1958 On the 4th of December, the Dodgers sent Gino Cimoli to the Cardinals for OF Wally Moon and P

By Michael "Bear" Norris · July 28, 2021164

The Dodger Players Spoke

Last night the Dodger players spoke without saying a word. Their four errors showed that they might have been somewhat distracted and understandably so. But they maintained their composure until they got Max Scherzer out of the game and proceeded to destroy the Nationals bullpen. The Dodger players were laughing and having a great time for the most part except for the defensive lapses. I can understand it. The White

By Mark Timmons · July 3, 2021123

WHEN FAVORITES LEAVE

Last week, Joc Pederson left the Dodgers as a free agent to join the Chicago Cubs, and prior to that, Kike’ Hernandez signed with the Red Sox. Both were very popular with Dodger fans. Kike’, the Banana Man to many, and a versatile player, had enthralled fans with his energy, and his sometimes flair for the dramatic. His best day as a Dodger was in game 5 of the 2017

By Michael "Bear" Norris · February 8, 202122

Biggest LA Dodger Trades 1958-1979.

I am limiting this to L.A. Dodgers history simply to keep it from being more than a post long. We shall travel in our way back machine to 1958 when they traded Gino Cimoli to the Cardinals for Wally Moon. Cimoli had a nice career without being a big star. He ended up playing for 6 more teams over the last 8 seasons of his career. Moon, who became so

By Michael "Bear" Norris · December 18, 202057

The O Malley’s Part 2 Peter

Peter O Malley was born on the 12th of December 1937 in Brooklyn, New York. We all know who his parents were. He spent his childhood as a child of privilege. His dad s success allowing the family comforts many of the citizens did not enjoy due to the depression. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. And then from the Wharton School of Business in 1960. Peter s first job with the

By Michael "Bear" Norris · December 2, 2020111

Perry

A few days ago the Dodger family lost Ron Perranoski. And Mark asked about his leaving on bad terms. So I did some research to check on that simply because I could not remember the circumstances of his leaving. Perry was born on April 1st, 1936 in Patterson, New Jersey. There is not much information on his Wikipedia page, but he grew up in the town of Fair Lawn, N.J .

By Michael "Bear" Norris · October 10, 202056

The Other Guys

As fans, we all know the stars of our teams, and today with the internet and all the media coverage, we know the rookies, the scrub beanies, and just about everyone else in the organization. Growing up, and learning the game, that was not the case. We found out in box scores, and those of us lucky enough to have a subscription, in the Sporting News. But for every star player, there was

By Michael "Bear" Norris · September 13, 202090

RANDOM THOUGHTS ABOUT THE START OF THE SEASON

So I wrote and submitted this article to Jeff on July 22nd in the a.m. He then let me know he had a couple of other articles lined up and that it might be posted later this week. Then, the Dodgers go and sign Mookie Betts. Wow! I decided to leave the article intact with a few adjustments. ● I’m glad that I was proven wrong. I did not

By Mark Timmons · July 24, 202083

THE PAIN OF THE MIKE PIAZZA TRADE

May 14, 1998 started as a very special day in my household. It was my oldest son’s 18th birthday. We had some special plans to celebrate his birthday, once he finished with his school day. The big news of the day was that Frank Sinatra had died. Sad news certainly, but not anything that affected our family in any significant way. That afternoon, by the time I went to my

By Mark Timmons · June 1, 202045

Julio Urias: Elite Starter

Clayton Kershaw was called up to the Show in 2008 at the age of 20. In 107 IP, he allowed 109 hits, struck out 100, with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.495 WHIP. Of course, he went on to build a Hall-of-Fame Career! Julio Urias was called up to the Show in 2016 at the age of 19. In 77 IP he allowed 81 hits, struck out 84, with a

By Mark Timmons · February 21, 202066

What If

It has been widely published that the Dodgers are 31 years between World Series Championships. All Dodger fans want to forget that, but what if…I know it sounds like the Kratt Brothers. For those with small children or grandchildren you probably know Wild Kratts. Brooklyn was nine World Series and lost their first seven: 1916 and 1920 (as The Robins – managed by Wilbert Robinson) and did not return for

By Jeff Dominique · August 11, 201957

Burt Happy Hooten

I was doing some research for a post I was trying to put together when I encountered one of my All-Time favorite Dodger pitchers, Burt “Happy” Hooten. I have no idea why, but I seem to favor pitchers from University of Texas, and pitchers from Texas in general. Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, Ross Stripling, Howie Reed, Huston Street, Brooks Kieschnick, Ryan Pressly, Greg Swindell, Shawn Tolleson,

By Jeff Dominique · August 10, 201997

Dustin May and Clayton Kershaw

I wanted Chris Sale at the 2016 trade deadline when he was burning bridges with the ChiSox. I cannot fault management because he was not traded until the Winter, and I have no idea as to who Chicago was demanding. We can speculate all we want, but nobody here knows. I was a strong advocate for Justin Verlander at the 2017 trade deadline, but understood why the Dodgers did not

By Jeff Dominique · April 27, 201951

The Most Exciting Dodger Rookie Pitcher Since

Striker Buehler (I refuse to call him by his real name, because that is not a good name for a pitcher in fact, I will pay for him to legally change it to Striker or maybe No Hit ) has become the most exciting Dodger Rookie pitcher since Drumroll Fernando Valenzuela, who was just a freak. In his first eight starts in 1981, Fernando pitched eight straight complete games and sported

By Mark Timmons · May 5, 201838

Favorite Dodgers

I would like to take a different approach for this post. Sometimes we need a little levity. Bumsrap has been a strong fan/advocate for Joc Pederson, and Mark has been a huge fan/advocate for Yasmani Grandal. I am not the biggest fan of either (other than being a fan because they are Dodgers), but I am a big Alex Wood fan. I was also an unapologetic fan of Zach Lee .

By Jeff Dominique · May 8, 201737

Beyond Puigmania It s CodyPalooza!

Do you really understand what the Dodgers have in Cody Bellinger? When I tell you you are going to say that it is too soon to say that. You are going to say that the league will adjust. You will say it is too small a sampling. OK I know what you will say. But, I am going to say it anyway! Cody Bellinger is a once in a generation talent!

By Mark Timmons · May 7, 201738