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.

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