This Day In Dodgers History: Sandy Koufax & Fernando Valenzuela Set Shutout Records, Hideo Nomo Throws No-Hitter, Joe Torre Announces Retirement

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a long line of star pitchers and on this day in franchise history, those stars shined a little brighter throughout the years.

On Sept. 17, 1963, Dodgers ace Sandy Koufax pitched a shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sportsman’s Park while giving up just four hits.

The shutout was his 11th of the season, which set a new National League record for the most in a year by a left-hander in MLB history. Grover Cleveland Alexander held the Major League Record with 16 shutouts during the 1916 season for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Then on this day in Dodgers history and during the 1981 season, Fernando Valenzuela threw his eighth shutout of the year with a three-hitter against the Atlanta Braves.

With eight shutouts, Valenzuela tied the rookie record that was set by Chicago White Sox pitcher Ewell Russell in 1913. In addition, Valenzuela broke the previous NL mark shared by Irving Young (Boston Beaneaters, 1905), Grover Cleveland Alexander (Phillies, 1911), and Jerry Koosman (New York Mets, 1968).

Nomo no-hitter

In 1996, 15 years after Valenzuela and 33 years after Koufax set their shutout records, Hideo Nomo threw the only no-hitter in history at Coors Field. It was one of two Nomo tossed during his 12-year career.

Nomo’s historic game came with the club locked in a pennant race and it was the 20th no-hitter in franchise history.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre announces retirement

Also on this day in Dodgers history, manager Joe Torre announced he will retire following the end of the 2010 season. He finished his career with a record of 2326-1997 (.538) during his 30 seasons as a skipper with Mets, Braves, Cardinals, New York Yankees, and the Dodgers.

The Dodgers then announced the team’s hitting coach Don Mattingly was hired to replace Torre, who accepted a position to assist Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig as the new Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations.