Luis Salazar's Debut

When I moved to San Diego as a youngster I quickly took up the painful experience we call Padres fanhood. During those early stages of Friar consciousness I rooted for third baseman Luis Salazar.

I always think of Salazar as a Padre even though my time cheering for him in the brown and gold (1987, 1989) was short lived... or was it brown and orange at that time? Nevertheless Luis Salazar is a Padre through and through, to me.

I mention this blast from the past because, with great regret, we have recently found Luis Salazar's name in the news. Salazar was struck in the head by a foul ball, and while escaping brain damage, he has lost his eye. 

As a tribute of sorts, I thought I'd look through the archives to see if I could find some of Luis Salazar's most memorable games as a Padre. He served three stints as a Padre (1980-1984, 1987, 1989) but I'll go ahead and jump in where it all started: 1980....

August 15th, 1980

Luis Salazar made his debut against the Houston Astros when manager Jerry Coleman inserted him as a pinch runner for Broderick Perkins in the bottom of the 8th inning of a 1-1 tie. Salazar would be left stranded and then spend the next 12 innings pickin' splinters. That's right... Luis Salazar's debut was in a 20 inning 3-1 loss to the 1st place Astros.

He would get his chance two days later.

August 17th, 1980

Game 1
In Luis Salazar's first start as a Padre on August 17th, 1980 the Padres lost 5-0 to the Houston Astros. Randy Jones was the hard luck loser after going a strong eight innings and giving up 3 runs. In a lineup that featured future Hall of Famers Dave Winfield and Ozzie Smith it was Luis Salazar who's star shined brightest. Those fellas were held hitless but it was Salazar who went 2 for 3 collecting half of the Padres total hits during the 2 hour and 6 minute affair. Salazar played an error free 3B.

But it wasn't over. Luis Salazar got the start at 3B again (later moving to RF) in game 2 of the Sunday afternoon doubleheader...

Game 2
Again the Padres got hammered by the 1st place 'Stros 9-2. They managed a meager 3 runs over the course of the 3 game series continuing their free-fall in the standings. But at least Luis Salazar could hold his head up. Salazar collected 2 hits in 4 trips to the plate against the Astros' Joe Niekro who worked a complete game.

Not a bad debut weekend for Luis Salazar. Who wouldn't want to get their career off to a 4 for 7 start?

We wish Luis the best.

More on the Luis Salazar Situation:[Big League Stew] h/t Gaslamp Ball