I remember his rookie year and he was quite the sensation. One more icon from youth is gone. Damn.
Can't really go along with regulating him to a flash in the pan. He played for the Dodgers for 11 years (out of 17 years in the majors), 4 times won MVP, 6 years in the All Star game, 4 time winner of the Cy Young Award.His career reminded me of those of Mark Fidrych (really short-lived) and Sam McDowell - relative flashes in the pan - all of them.
His career reminded me of those of Mark Fidrych (really short-lived) and Sam McDowell - relative flashes in the pan - all of them.
the dodgers used him to pitch hit quite a bitNot really, Fernando won a 173 games, 2074 strikeouts, heck even had 187 hits in 936 At bats, good for a .200 batting average, not bad for a pitcher.
Fernando is one of I think 11 players to have his number retired by the Dodgers, including Brooklyn players, that is a pretty high honor when you think of all the talent that has played there.
Fidyrch won 29 games and had 170 career strikeouts, not really comparable imho