Card Of The Week - El Duque

I apologize for not posting this sooner. It's been awhile and work has taken precedence over much these last few weeks. As some of you may know, I am an IT guy for a government institution and we have had some recent internal application changes recently and the massive repercussions involved has created plenty of overtime for me. The money is good and definitely needed but, it's tough.

Anyways....

As a follow up to my Livan Hernandez posting, my next CotW is his half-brother, Orlando Hernandez, aka "El Duque". This is the matching card from the 2014 Topps Five Star base autograph set featuring Mr. Hernandez in his signature high leg kick windup.

"El Duque" was not only known for his windup but for his use of the eephus pitch. His style and form was perfected in Cuba, where he played for Industriales of Havana, in the Cuban National Series where he helped them to win titles in 1992 and 1996. His 10 year career ERA in Cuba was an amazing 3.05 and his winning percentage is .728, the league record.

Orlando Hernandez found U.S. fame, after a long ordeal of defection from Cuba(see the documentary I referenced in my previous post), with the New York Yankees. While wearing the navy blue pinstripes, he helped them win 3 World Series titles and was named ALCS MVP in 1999. In 2003, he was traded to the Expos but did not play due to injury and surgery thereafter. In 2004, he signed a 1 year contract to go back to New York and even though still recovering from his surgery, recorded a 3.30 ERA in 15 starts. In 2005, he would be traded to the White Sox and had memorable appearances leading to Chicago sweeping the Astros for the World Series win.

El Duque would end up playing for 2 more major league teams and 2 minor league teams resulting in his retirement from the game in 2011.

Card Of The Week - My Fascination With Unique Pitchers: Livan Hernandez

My card of the week is a 2014 Topps Five Star base autograph, numbered 032/499 of World Series Champion pitcher, Livan Hernandez.

I specifically remember watching the 1997 World Series and recall the stories told of Livan and his brother, Orlando(El Duque). I recently found the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary called, "Brothers In Exile" and it confirmed many of the stories told by commentators from Livan's rookie year with the Florida Marlins. If you get a chance to watch that one, do so.

In Livan Hernandez's rookie year, he started in Games 1 and 5 of the World Series, getting the win both times, earning him the World Series MVP title in 1997. A pitcher with a mid-90s fastball in late innings, a slider, a changeup and an extremely effective sinker, his power seemed to stun the Cleveland Indians in '97 and beating former Dodger, Orel Hershiser, in both starts.

Fernandomania! My 1st Auto Of El Toro

Just like my buddy, DodgerPenguin , I have been perusing eBay for awhile and came across something that I had to have. Fernando Valenzuela was one of the greatest lefties in Dodger history and one of my personal favorites as a kid. My father and I enjoyed watching that, now iconic, windup as he looked towards the sky before hurling a devastating screwball. He was Mexican, chubby and came from nothing and we loved him for it.

2014 Topps Five Star Fernando Valenzuela 184/199

El Toro will be added to my growing collection of Dodgers pitchers and also what I call my, 'oddball pitchers' collection. I love pitchers that have something unique about them and Mr. Valenzuela was definitely that.

If you haven't watched ESPN's 30 For 30 on Fernando Nation , you should.

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