Triple Play:
1. As a native Hawaiian, Fernandez honored his home state by wearing #50 throughout his career. He was also a fan of the TV show "Hawaii Five-O".
2. Sid appeared in three games in the 1986 World Series as a reliever. In the Game 7 clincher, he provided a crucial bridge between starter Ron Darling and the back end of the New York 'pen with 2.1 hitless innings, striking out four Boston batters.
3. Among all pitchers with at least a thousand career innings pitched, Fernandez ranks fourth for fewest hits allowed per nine innings, with 6.85. The three men ahead of him are Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, and Clayton Kershaw (who could slip from that spot before his career is through, of course).
11-Year-Old Kevin Says: Sid Fernandez was the first free-agent bust of my Orioles fandom. There's nothing like an overweight, injury-prone veteran who gives up home runs by the bucketful to get your blood boiling.
Bill James Said: "If he is not in Shea Stadium in '93 (sic) his strikeouts will decrease and his ERA will increase, but his won-lost record may improve." See above. Pitching for a solid O's team, El Sid bumped his record from 5-6 to a grand 6-6 while his ERA ballooned from 2.93 to 5.15.
On This Date in 1993: April 7. The Braves outlast the Cubs 5-4 in 10 innings thanks to a two-run homer from Ron Gant. It's the first of a career-high 36 dingers in 1993 for the Atlanta left fielder.
Obviously, I cannot change your mind about hating El Sid and his tenure with the O's but know that he is one of the absolute nicest baseball players I have ever met. Maybe because I gave him a bite of my cheesesteak, but still...
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