Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 29, 1991 TAG: 9103290050
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VERO BEACH, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
Valenzuela, perhaps the symbol of the Dodgers during the '80s, had struggled the past four seasons and was pounded Wednesday in his last spring- training start. He was 1-2 this spring with a 7.88 ERA in 16 innings.
"I've been talking to you guys about this for some time," Valenzuela told reporters several hours after the Dodgers informed him of their decision. "I'll be somewhere, I don't know where. I'll go back home tomorrow and relax. We'll wait and see what's going on."
Valenzuela, 30, is 141-116 lifetime with 107 complete games. He won the National League's Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in 1981 and led the league with a 21-11 record in 1986. But with his eyes-to-the-sky delivery and his assortment of pitches, the five-time All-Star generated a Fernandomania craze that transcended his on-field performances.
"I will never forget Fernando and all he has done for me and the Los Angeles Dodgers," manager Tom Lasorda said. "It was a privilege and honor to manage him over the years because he was without a doubt a great talent and a great competitor. I want to thank him for all the memories."
Valenzuela was in danger of being let go in each of the past two seasons. He slumped to 14-14 in 1987 and 5-8 in 1988, when he spent two months on the disabled list with shoulder problems. He was 10-13 in 1989 and 13-13 last year, a season that included his first no-hitter, a 6-0 victory over St. Louis on June 29.
Los Angeles had until Tuesday to release Valenzuela without having to guarantee his $2.55 million, one-year contract. If not claimed by another team before 2 p.m. EST next Tuesday, the Dodgers will owe Valenzuela 45 days termination pay - $630,494.50.
"I was expecting something to happen before April 2," Valenzuela said. "Today was the day. These things have to happen sometimes. Probably the reason they let me go was they know and I know that I can't help this team if I'm in the bullpen."
Valenzuela was routed Wednesday by Baltimore, allowing eight runs, eight hits and four walks in 3 innings. Last season, he struggled in the final month before becoming a free agent and re-signing with the Dodgers. However, it became clear this spring that he couldn't make the starting rotation.
"I'm sorry, he was not good enough to be in the top five, and I talked to him and realized he could not pitch out of the bullpen," Lasorda said. "The two bad outings against Philadelphia and Baltimore convinced us it was time to decide who were the top five."
Valenzuela came up to Los Angeles late in the 1980 season and went 2-0. Then he took baseball by storm, winning his first eight starts in 1981 with five shutouts and seven complete games. He compiled a 0.50 ERA during the streak and finished the strike-interrupted season 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA, becoming the first player to win the rookie and Cy Young awards in the same season.
"I'm just struck dumb by this," right-handed reliever Tim Crews said. "I just don't understand this. I'm not even going to try."
Crews' comments were typical of those in the Dodger clubhouse as Valenzuela lost a battle for the job as the fifth starting pitcher to right-hander Mike Morgan.
"Of course, we're all shocked," pitcher Orel Hershiser said. "I think all of us pretty much thought Fernando had made the team."
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB