Check out the 1991 Dodgers in the photo above. It was shared by Dodgers photograph Jon SooHoo on his blog yesterday, and it features a travelling contingent of Dodger players in Mexico for an exhibition series during Spring Training. In light of recent news that the Dodgers and Padres would be playing a series of games in Monterrey, Mexico next season, this photo is very timely.
As you may recall, the Dodgers headed south in 1991 to play a couple of exhibition games against the local club, Industriales de Monterrey, and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Notably, the game against the Brewers marks one of the last starts Fernando Valenzuela threw in Dodgers Blue, and he was magnificent that day. He went five innings, allowed only two hits, gave up one run, and even drove in a run on a single. Best yet, 27,000 of his countrymen came out to cheer, scream and whistle their appreciation for the Mexican born pitcher. Per Bill Plascke at the LA Times:
It was only an exhibition. But to those who understand Valenzuela's search for shreds of Fernandomania, it was much more.
"We knew Fernando's importance to his country before we came down here, but to see it, to feel, to hear it . . . it was an extraordinary moment," said Peter O'Malley, the Dodger owner who had a front row seat at Estadia Monterrey. "This is one of the most exciting experiences I've had since I've been with the ballclub."A couple of weeks later, with the regular season looming, Fernando Valenzuela would be released by the Dodgers. Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1962 Dodger Hall of Famer Don Drysdale is named the NL Cy Young Award winner. He went 25-9 with an 2.83 ERA, 19 complete games and 232 strike outs. In 1988 Dodgers outfielder and legend Kirk Gibson was named the NL MVP.
- Happy Birthday, Pat Ragan, Jay Partridge, Mickey Livingston, Jack Smith & Pedro Borbón!
- Video: John Hartung speaks with Dave Roberts after finishing second in the National League Manager of the Year voting. (video link)
- Per AJ Cassavell at MLB.com; "Dodgers still view Maeda as a starting pitcher."
"We still view him as a starter," said Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi from the General Managers Meetings in Orlando. "That's what we signed him for. We've got to find guys to start all 162 games for us. He's proven very valuable in the last couple years at eating up a good chunk of those starts and being effective."
- Via Andy McCullough at the LA Times; "Despite Yu Darvish's World Series debacle, Dodgers say they haven't given up on him."
The Dodgers acquired Darvish last summer to bolster their rotation. After a rocky patch heading into the postseason, Darvish turned in a pair of quality starts in the first two rounds. However, in the World Series he collected 10 outs in two starts, contributing to losses in Game 3 and the decisive Game 7.“I don’t know that the end really changes much,” Zaidi said. “It was always going to be a difficult [re-signing] for us to do, but we do have some interest.”
- Andre Ethier doesn't plan to retire, via a tweet from Andy McCullough:
Andre Ethier intends to play in 2018, for what it's worth.— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) November 14, 2017
- Dodgers coach Chris Woodward could be leaving us soon, via a tweet from Mark Feinstand:
Source: Dodgers third-base coach Chris Woodward is a candidate for the Yankees’ managerial opening. No interview has been scheduled yet. Woodward was in camp with the Yankees in 2008 but never played for them. He managed Team New Zealand in the 2016 WBC.— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 15, 2017
- Blowout Buzz provide a early sneak peek at Topps 2017 Bowman Baseball card set; including the Jeren Kendall card you see below. Go here to check out more preview pics. This set is scheduled to be released in late April.
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