In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela of Mexico opened the season with an 8-0 record and threw five shutouts, numbers that earned him both the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season—an achievement he shared only with Vern Law since 1960. The Mexican left-hander’s secret weapon wasn’t just his arm: it was the screwball, a pitch few could master and one that revolutionized Major League Baseball.
The Screwball: The Unexpected Weapon
The screwball is a reverse-rotation pitch compared to a slider: it spins in the opposite direction, making it nearly impossible for batters to read. Fernando Valenzuela learned it in the minor leagues, influenced by techniques he’d seen in Mexico and refined under the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Unlike a traditional curveball that breaks down and in, Valenzuela’s screwball moved uniquely: it dropped and ran away from right-handed hitters, creating an optical illusion that was nearly impossible to pick up in real time.
The 1981 Season: Fernandomania
When Fernando Valenzuela debuted with the Dodgers on September 6, 1980, he was an unknown prospect. But in 1981, with the strike that shortened the season to 110 games, he exploded. His combination of screwball, changeup, and fastball made him nearly untouchable in his early starts. Los Angeles fans, many of Mexican descent, adopted him as an instant hero: «Fernandomania» was born. The Dodgers won the World Series that year, and Valenzuela was key in the postseason, winning two games in the World Series against the New York Yankees.
Numbers That Speak for Themselves
| Statistic | 1981 (Regular Season) | Career (1980-1997) |
|---|---|---|
| Wins-Losses | 13-7 | 173-153 |
| ERA | 2.48 | 3.54 |
| Shutouts | 5 | 36 |
| Strikeouts | 180 | 2,074 |
| Awards | Cy Young + Rookie of the Year | 6 All-Star (1986-1990, 1992) |
The Screwball’s Legacy in the Modern Era
Although Fernando Valenzuela’s screwball inspired other pitchers to attempt it, few mastered it with his effectiveness. The pitch requires particular mechanics and, over time, can stress the elbow and shoulder more than other pitches. That’s why, in subsequent decades, Major League teams discouraged its use. Yet Valenzuela’s legacy endured: he proved that an unconventional pitch, combined with intelligence and control, could dominate the game’s best hitters.
Fernando Valenzuela was selected to six All-Star Games between 1986 and 1992, and his 18-season career cemented him as one of the greatest Mexican pitchers of all time. His screwball didn’t just win awards: it changed how the baseball world thought about pitching.
FAQ
What exactly is a screwball?
A screwball is a pitch that rotates opposite to a slider. For a left-handed pitcher like Fernando Valenzuela, it moves in a way that confuses right-handed batters, dropping and running away simultaneously.
Why did Fernando Valenzuela win both Cy Young and Rookie of the Year in the same year?
Because 1981 was his first full season in the majors and he was so dominant that he won both awards. Only Vern Law had achieved this in 1960.
Do modern pitchers still throw the screwball?
Very few. While some current pitchers throw it occasionally, its use is limited because it can cause long-term injuries. Fernando Valenzuela was one of the last to master it consistently.
