In front of almost fifty thousand fans on Opening Day in 1981, the Los Angeles Dodgers sent a twenty-year-old lefty to the mound on a Thursday afternoon. Fernando Valenzuela was practically unknown outside the clubhouse.

By May, Fernandomania had set in when Fernando Valenzuela triumphed in eight straight games.

We had Bobby Welch, Burt Hooton, and Jerry Reuss, three veteran pitchers. In an exclusive interview with Christian Red of The Messenger, starting catcher Mike Scioscia spoke of Fernando’s expected role on the team: “You knew he was going to get a chance to start.” Although there wasn’t much buzz, we recognized that Valenzuela had potential. We were very confident in him.

43 years later, the recollections of that enchanted summer are still vivid. Later on, Valenzuela was awarded Rookie of the Year and the National League Cy Young Award. Sombreros were hurled to the skies when the Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in the World Series.

When Shohei Ohtani signed his record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, a whole new level of hysteria emerged. December. Ohtani hasn’t yet appeared in a game for the Dodgers, which is the difference.

More than anybody, Scioscia has witnessed the positive impact both players can have on a fan base. He was Ohtani’s first Major League manager with the Los Angeles Angels and caught Valenzuela with the Dodgers.

“It was unclear what to anticipate from Fernando,” Scioscia stated to The Messenger. “He only recently began to display his abilities. When Fernando was pitching, there was a tremendous buzz at Dodger Stadium. Everything lined up so that a really gifted Mexican pitcher could arrive and completely dominate not only Southern California but the entire baseball globe.

As a first-year Dodger, Ohtani had slightly different expectations. He has already demonstrated his brilliance to the world, and while he heals from surgery in 2024, he won’t be pitching. Both of these guys are formidable pitchers, but they are also tough outs in the box.

Pitchers usually batted at the No. 9 hole when Valenzuela was in the game. Over the course of 17 seasons and 1,044 plate appearances, he collected 187 hits and only 145 strikeouts.

Ohtani’s initial impression of Anaheim was restricted. He was given limitations by the Angels to prevent him from being misused. He is hitting.278 with 449 hits, 124 home runs, 290 runs batted in, 295 runs scored, and 57 stolen bases in 450 games since those limits were abolished in 2021.

And although though Ohtani did not take the mound, fans are eagerly anticipating the arrival of spring. A few weeks from now, Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, will get to see No. 17 in Dodger blue for the first time, and baseball fans will be able to gauge the extent of Ohtanimania.