Luis Salazar in 1980

Yesterday I took a look at Luis Salazar's first weekend as a Big Leaguer during the 1980 season with the San Diego Padres. Salazar was off to a great start as a pro.

In looking to see which was his best game in 1980 I noticed that his first 15 games, or the remainder of August, were really outstanding. He was taking advantage of his opportunities and compiled a slash line of .444/.500/.556 with 3 triples.

Luis Salazar's best game of his first season came against the San Francisco Giants in Candlestick Park on October 3rd, 1980.

In the top of the 1st inning, with 2 runs already scored against Giants starter Allen Ripley, Luis Salazar came to the plate. With Dave Winfield on first base and Jerry Mumphrey at second, Salazar launched a 3-run homer to extend the Padres lead to 5-0. It was Ripley's last pitch of the game as he headed to the showers in favor of reliever Bob Knepper.

The Padres would go on to win the game by a score of 12-0 and Luis Salazar would finish 3 for 3 with 2 Runs scored and 4 RBI. In his other two plate appearances Salazar hit a Sacrifice Fly and Walked.

The 1980 season would end shortly after this game and Luis Salazar's numbers (.337/.372/.462) would reflect a modest start to a 13 year career. Overall, the Padres 1980 was mostly one to forget, finishing in 6th place in the NL West at 73-89.

When seasons end in such an abysmal fashion it's nice to see a young player like Salazar do well.

Notables:

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At season's end Luis Salazar would finish with 7 triples. Not bad for 1 1/2 months on the job.

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Will Venable's father Max played CF for the Giants during that October 3rd game.

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This would be the last weekend in a Padres uniform for both RF Dave Winfield and Manager Jerry Coleman.

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Without the wonders of Baseball-Reference we may never have known this game existed. Only 2,740 witnessed it at The 'Stick.