Sid Fernandez

From BR Bullpen

Charles Sidney Fernandez (El Sid)

Bats Left, Throws Left
Height 6' 1", Weight 230 lb.

Debut September 20, 1983
Final Game April 5, 1997
Born October 12, 1962 in Honolulu, HI USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Sid Fernandez pitched 15 years in the major leagues, winning 114 games. He broke into the majors at age 20 with the 1983 Los Angeles Dodgers, but spent most of his career with the New York Mets from 1984-1993, including going 16-6 on the 1986 New York Mets who went on to win the 1986 World Series.

He was a two-time All Star in 1986 and 1987, also pitched on the divison-winning 1988 New York Mets, and led the league in winning percentage in 1989 when he went 14-5. A power pitcher, he was often in the top 3 in strikeouts per nine innings.

He had a terrific minor league career, going 32-11 in three years in the minors and capturing the Texas League Triple Crown (13 wins, 209 strikeouts, and a 2.28 ERA with the San Antonio Dodgers in 1983) before the Dodgers brought him up for the first time. With the Mets' minor league organization, he was 10-6 in two seasons before he became a regular. His career minor league ERA, counting rehab assignments, was 2.70. He pitched two minor-league no-hitters, and while he didn't pitch any major league no-hitters, he left a no-hit game in 1987 during the sixth inning because of a knee problem.

After losing his first game with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1995, he won six in a row.

He was a decent hitter for a pitcher, with a .182 lifetime average in the majors.

The most similar pitcher is his contemporary Jose Rijo, and the second most similar pitcher was his teammate Bob Ojeda.

Sid wore #50 in honor of his home state and his favorite television program, "Hawaii Five-0." He was discovered by Hawaiian scout Iron Maehara. His weight was often a subject of comment.