Dodgers vs Yankees: The day that Toro Valenzuela beat the New Yorkers in the World Series

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El Heraldo de México

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Publicado: 22/10/2024 · 12:05 p.m. MX | Actualizado: 22/10/2024 · 12:05 p.m. MX

Fernando Valenzuela, the ‘Toro’, is one of the great legends in the history of Mexican baseball, but also of the Dodgers. The pitcher was not only one of the greats on the mound for the Aztec legacy, but he also wrote his name in the history of the MLB. Now, before another edition of the ‘Fall Classic’ is played, it is time to remember what the Mexican pitcher did in 1981, when he was in charge of leading the victory in the World Series against the Yankees.

This Friday, the most important rivalry in the World Series will be experienced again, but before seeing the two teams jump into Dodgers Stadium, it is time to remember what the ‘Toro’ did at the beginning of the 80s. The native of Navojoa, Sonora, was a key piece so that the ‘Fall Classic’ of 1981 ended up being won by the Los Angeles franchise.

Toro Valenzuela vs. the Yankees in the World Series

Dodgers and Yankees were the franchises that managed to place themselves in the 1981 World Series, the 11th in which the two franchises faced each other to define the winner of the MLB. What no one expected was that a young man from Sonora would be the one in charge of leading the Angels to victory in the ‘Fall Classic’. The battle on the diamond was tough, but the star from Navojoa made sure that the favorites for the Major League title were left wanting to bring the trophy to the Bronx.

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Valenzuela became a key piece for LA to win the World Series in 1981

The 1981 World Series began with two victories for Manhattan, but Valenzuela’s arm and the confidence of Tommy Lasorda, Dodgers manager, made the ‘Fall Classic’ lean in favor of the team from Hollywood. The third game was dominated from start to finish by the LA team, but Valenzuela was the star that made the NY offense do nothing at the start of the game in the Big Top.

On October 23, 1981, Valenzuela took the mound to take the ball with his left hand and prepare to tie down the New York offense. The game ended 5-4 in favor of the LA team and with this, he regained the strength to turn the World Series around. This game became the Mexican’s first win in the World Series. This was the only game that the Navojoa native pitched, but he was also in charge of leading the victory in the ‘Fall Classic’, the Dodgers won games four, five and six.

A perfect season for Valenzuela

Fernando arrived at the 1981 World Series with a season worth remembering. The Mexican had presented himself with eight victories in the first eight games, which included five shutouts. The season in the MLB ended with eight shutouts and he was in charge of taking home the Rookie of the Year award as well as the National League Cy Young award. Valenzuela had a lot of power in his left arm and a promising future.

The LA roster was complemented by the veterans of Burt Hooton and Jerry Reus, who were in charge of leading the Los Angeles team to victory in games five and six to give the 1981 World Series to the team from California. Now, with a hospitalized ‘Toro’ Valenzuela, the Dodgers will seek to achieve the same feat they did 43 years ago.

Nota publicada originalmente en el Heraldo de México

El Heraldo de México