Former Met of the Day: "El Sid" Sid Fernandez (1983-1993)

Charles Sidney Fernandez was born in October 12, 1962 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was drafted by the Dodgers and was the Texas League MVP winning the pitching Triple Crown. He only appeared in two games with the Dodgers then was traded to the Mets for Bob Bailor. He began the season at Tidewater and got called up in July. He won his first three starts, going 6-6 overall with a 3.50 ERA.

“El Sid” wore the number 50 in honor of his Hawaiian heritage, and the TV show Hawaii 5-0. That shows theme song was played when Sid pitchedand his fans in Shea’s Upper Deck donned Hawaiian gear hanging S cards in honor of his strike outs. He had a fantastic curveball and a rising fastball with a delivery that hesitated before his release making him a good strikeout pitcher. His biggest problem throughout his career was always his weight.

In 1985 he began the season at Tidewater again getting called up in May, going 9-9 with a low 2.80 ERA. In 170 innings pitched he struck out 180 batters and only allowed 108 hits, averaging 5.71 hits per game. That average was second best all time, and his pitching ratios were the best in baseball.

In 1986 Fernandez' had a great start, going 12-2, and became the first Hawaiian to play in an All Star game. In the 1986 All Star Game, he walked the first two batters but then struck out Brook Jacoby, Jim Rice and Don Mattingly in order. In June he pitched a three hit complete game against Pittsburgh then went on a seven game win streak through mid July. He capped off the streak by pitching a two hit shutout against Atlanta at Shea Stadium. In September he struggled a bit going 1-2 with three no decisions, and getting a save out of the bull pen on the last day of the season. He ended the year 16-6 and struck out 200 batters & pitched over 200 innings. He pitched well at home, with a 2.17 ERA and 5.03 on the road.

Post Season: El Sid took the loss Game #4 of the NLCS giving up a two run HR and losing to Mike Scott 3-1. In the World Series, Mets manager Davey Johnson was afraid to start a lefty in Fenway Park , so he was put in the bullpen. Dwight Gooden faltered in Game 5 and Fernandez took over in the 5th and shut down the Red Sox in the Mets loss. The Red Sox took a 3-0 lead in Game 7 off Ron Darling. El Sid entered relieved him and retired seven batters in a row striking out four. He walked off the mound in the 6th to a standing ovation and a switch in momentum back to the Mets. The Mets went on to score six runs and win the Series. In the World Series he only allowed 1 run in 6 1/3 innings pitched.

In 1987, Fernandez started out 9-3 through mid June making another All-Star Game. After the break he missed three weeks due to a knee injury and only went 3-3 ending the season at 12-8 with a 3.81 ERA. In 1988 his ERA at home was 1.83 with an 8-4 record, going 12-10 overall with a 3-03 ERA. He struck out 189 batters in 187 innings.

Post Season: In the 1988 NLCS he started Game #5 giving up three runs in the 4th and, a three run HR to Kirk Gibson in the 5th taking the loss. In 1989 he went into the All-Star break 7-2 and struck out a career-high 16 Bravesin July. Fernandez ended the season with a 14-5 record with the best winning percentage in the NL. He was ranked in the NL's top ten in the league in several categories; ERA (2.93), strikeouts (198), hits per nine innings, and strikeout-to-walk ratio. In 1990 he had a 2.41 ERA at home going 8-5 but overall had the worst record of his career 9-14. The next season he broke his arm in spring training, returned in mid-July, then went down with knee problems. In 1992 he rebounded and led the team with 14 wins and a 2.73 ERA. In 1993 he injured his knee missing half the year then left New York for free agency.

He signed with Baltimore and averaged 7.41 strikeouts per nine innings, but had a career high 5.15 ERA and allowed 27 HRs, second most in the Majors. In 1995 the O's released him &the Phillies signed him. He was the Pitcher of the month in August 1995 going 5-0. He retired in 1997. In fifteen seasons, he was 114 - 96 with 1,743 strikeouts & a 3.36 ERA. Opposing hitters only batted .209 against him. Fernandez allowed only 6.85 hits per nine innings for his career which is the fourth-best total in history behind only Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax and Pedro Martinez. He was a good hitting pitcher as well, his career batting average was 1.82

Retirement: After baseball Fernandez moved back to Hawaii and was hired as the Honolulu sports director & pitching coach. He also spends a lot of time golfing in celebrity matches. He appeared at the 1986 Mets 20 year anniversary & the closing ceremonies at Shea Stadium.