LOS ANGELES._ In addition to the strong group of Dominicans and Venezuelans in 1992 Stars gamethe game did not start without a strong Mexican touch at Dodger Stadium.
Before the game, the legend of the Dodgersthe Mexican Fernando Valenzuelamade the launch of honor, with Alejandro Kirk —Mexico’s only representative on the American and National League rosters— serving as catcher.
Valenzuela, of course, starred in “Fernandomania” in Los Angeles and on the Big leagues broadly in 1981. As a rookie that season, the southpaw won his first eight starts, with six shutouts. The Sonoran amazed everyone with his feats on the mound, being a sensation at Dodger Stadium and in visiting stadiums when it was his turn to pitch.
In the end, Valenzuela was named Rookie of the Year and winner of the National League Cy Young Award in 1981, while also being instrumental in the Dodgers’ World Series victory that year.
For his part, Kirk has burst onto the scene as the Toronto Blue Jays’ starting catcher. He is fourth in the American League with an on-base percentage of .395, part of his batting line of .315/.395/.487, 11 home runs, 37 RBIs and an OPS+ of 149. In addition, he carries the responsibility of being the main catcher of a team that occupies one of the American League Wild Cards right now. On an individual level, the Tijuana native has accumulated 3.4 WAR (Baseball-Reference Version) in a total of 83 games.
(With information from MLB)
