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Fernando Valenzuela: Dodgers’ 3rd Straight NL Rookie of the Year

ByThis Day in Baseball

1981 – Following the strike-shortened season, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela becomes the third consecutive Dodgers player to be named National League Rookie of the Year. The Mexican lefthander posted a 13-7 record with a 2.48 ERA and led the NL in strikeouts (180), games started (25), complete games (11), shutouts (8) and innings pitched (192 1/3). His 13 wins tied him with Steve Carlton in second place behind Tom Seaver, who finished with 14. Valenzuela also made his first All-Star Game appearance and received the Cy Young and TSN Rookie of the Year awards.

Danny Ainge released

Danny Ainge released

ByThis Day in Baseball

November 27, 1981 The Blue Jays release infielder Danny Ainge. The would be two sport star focuses on Basketball and becomes a world champion, an all star and famously bit a tree. [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you cool stories about the game, players, ballparks and the people that shaped the game!”  subscribe_button=”Join us!”…

Milwaukee Brewers release future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers

Brewer hurler Rollie Fingers becomes the first relief pitcher ever to win the American League MVP Award

ByThis Day in Baseball

Brewer hurler Rollie Fingers becomes the first relief pitcher ever to win the American League MVP Award. The 34 year-old right-hander, who also wins the Cy Young award, narrowly beats former A’s teammate Rickey Henderson by 11 points.

Mike Schmidt wins his second consecutive NL MVP

Mike Schmidt wins his second consecutive NL MVP

ByThis Day in Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt wins his second consecutive National League MVP Award, joining Ernie Banks and Joe Morgan as the only NL players to take the award back-to-back. In the strike-shortened season, Schmidt hit .316 and led the league in home runs (31), RBI (91), runs (78), walks (73), on-base percentage (.435) and slugging percentage (.644).

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Rollie Fingers wins the 1981 American League Cy Young Award
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Milwaukee Brewers reliever Rollie Fingers wins the 1981 American League Cy Young Award

ByThis Day in Baseball

1981 – Milwaukee Brewers reliever Rollie Fingers, with a 6-3 record, 28 saves and a 1.04 ERA, wins the 1981 American League Cy Young Award, collecting 22 of 28 possible first-place votes. The other six go to Steve McCatty of the Oakland Athletics.

The Dodgers win 4 straight to win 1981 World Series
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The Dodgers win 4 straight to win 1981 World Series

ByThis Day in Baseball

Entering Game 6 of the World Series in the fifth inning, Yankee right-hander George Frazier, relieving starter Tommy John, gives up three go-ahead runs in the team’s 9-2 elimination loss to the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. The 27 year-old right-hander becomes the first pitcher to lose three games in a best of seven World Series, and the second hurler to drop that many decisions in any Fall Classic, joining White Sox southpaw Lefty Williams, who also lost a trio of games in the best-of-nine series played in 1919.