Who knew an injury to Jerry Reuss could spark an international sensation?!
After an injury forced Reuss to miss his Opening Day start, Tommy Lasorda turned to a 20-year-old rookie from Mexico, Fernando Valenzuela, to take the ball at Dodger Stadium to open the 1981 season.
Valenzuela became the first Dodgers rookie to pitch on Opening Day for the franchise, and the youngest pitcher to start an opener in the majors since Catfish Hunter in 1966.
But none of that mattered by the time Valenzuela, with his unique windup and stocky frame, took the hill.