In 1977, and again in 1978, the Dodgers lost the World Series to the hated New York Yankees. The third time was the charm: In 1981, the Dodgers beat the Yankees.
“Fernandomania” dominated the regular season, but Fernando Valenzuela struggled during his only World Series start. He pitched a complete game — a 5-4 win — but walked seven and struck out 147 pitches.
The Dodgers' cleanup hitter in that game, first baseman Steve Garvey, batted .417 in the World Series.
Four decades later, Garvey is running for US Senate. On Wednesday, two of his teammates on his 1981 championship team endorsed it — no, not Garvey, but Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland).
Dusty Baker and Dave Stewart are among five former top players listed as endorsers in an announcement made by Lee's office on Wednesday.
Lee is ranked fourth in the polls for California's vacant Senate seat, with Rep. Adam P. Schiff (D-Burbank) comfortably ahead, and Garvey and Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) vying for second place. Election Day is Tuesday, although early voting is underway. The top two winners advance to a runoff in November.
Lee's announcement highlighted the endorsements of five former players for the Oakland Athletics, her hometown team. Stewart, who was born and raised in Oakland, was a four-time 20-game winner in Class A and was the Most Valuable Player of the 1989 World Series. Baker, who went to high school and college in Northern California, finished his career with Class A in 1985-86.
“As a long-time A’s fan, it means a lot to me to have the support of A’s greats who have contributed so much to our community in Oakland and the East Bay,” Lee said in a statement.
After the A's revealed their plans to move to Las Vegas, Lee introduced what she called the “Moneyball Law,” which would strip Major League Baseball of its antitrust exemption if the relocating team did not provide financial compensation to its old hometown. The bill was introduced last June; No action has been taken since then.
