Fernandomania was voted by the LA Times as one of the top 10 moments in Los Angelos sports history in 2011. It began on April 9, 1981. Dodgers hurler Fernando Valenzuela was getting the start on Opening Day.
Not many in the L.A. area knew what to make of the 20-year old Mexican pitcher. Nevertheless, Valenzuela showed he belonged as a Dodger starter. That Opening Day start ended in a 2-0 shutout of the Houston Astros.
The win over the Astros started what would soon be known as Fernandomania. Valenzuela pitched his way to an 8-0 record to start the season. During that span, the pitcher had pitched five shutouts and had an earned run average of 0.50.
His dominance on the mound won the hearts of Dodger fans. That love would grow, as he helped L.A. win their first World Series since '65 that season, pitching and getting the win in Game 3 against the Yankees.
Valenzuela's effort would land him the 1981 Rookie of the Year award. He pitched for the Dodgers until 1987. In 1997, he decided to retire. However, 31 years after the fact, Fernandomania is still engrained in the minds of Dodgers fans.
Sources:
Photo-http://www.truebluela.com/2009/4/25/853146/remembering-fernando-valenzuelas
http://www.todayinsport.com/day/december/2
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/12/las-greatest-sports-moments-no-9-fernandomania.html
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/1981-schedule-scores.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/valenfe01.shtml
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