Dodgers Vault: Pedro the closer?

MLB.com is digging back into its massive video vault to uncover classic plays that you have loved, forgotten about or, perhaps, are discovering for the very first time. Watch these moments and many, many more on the MLB Vault YouTube page.

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May 24, 1993: Pedro's first save
Pedro Martinez ultimately went on to accomplish just about everything during his Hall of Fame career, but before all of that, he was just a young pitcher with the Dodgers trying to make a name for himself. On this date, Martinez recorded the final seven outs of a Dodgers 5-4 win over the Padres, en route to his first career save. He finished with just three saves in his decorated career.

Sept. 30, 1999: Mondesi bids Candlestick adieu
In the final game played at Candlestick Park, Raul Mondesi delivered one more rocket against the rival Giants, launching a three-run shot in the sixth inning off right-hander Mark Gardner. The Dodgers went on to win, 9-4.

April 2, 2001: Sheffield booed, hits Opening Day HR
Following a Spring Training full of controversy surrounding Gary Sheffield, the outfielder was booed during pregame introductions and after every play in which he was involved. But in the sixth inning, Sheffield took out some of that frustration, crushing a solo homer to straightaway center field to give the Dodgers the lead. You can hear the legendary Vin Scully say, "They're not booing him now" on the broadcast, though there were still some boos for Sheffield as he rounded the bases.

Oct. 23, 1981: Cey turns two
This is one of the most impressive defensive plays in a World Series. With the Dodgers holding on to a 5-4 lead in the eighth inning, the Yankees were threatening with two on and nobody out. Bobby Murcer tried to advance the runners, but instead, Ron Cey changed the game -- and the series. He dove in foul territory for the first out and quickly got up to throw out Larry Milbourne at first base for the crucial double play. The Dodgers, who were down, 2-0, in the best-of-seven series at that point, went on to win the next four games and become champions.

Sept. 10, 1988: Hershiser reaches 20 wins
Orel Hershiser reached the 20-win mark for the only time in his career with a dominant shutout against the Reds. Hershiser didn't stop there, as he won a career-high 23 games en route to his only Cy Young Award.

Aug. 20, 1988: Gibson scores from second on wild pitch
There's no argument that Kirk Gibson's most memorable moment was his walk-off homer in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series off A's reliever Dennis Eckersley. But just a couple of months before that historic moment, the Dodgers' outfielder showed off his speed. With the game tied at 3, Gibson came around to score all the way from second base on a routine wild pitch to beat the Expos, 4-3.

Oct. 4, 1977: Cey's NLCS grand slam
The Dodgers ultimately came up short against the Yankees in the 1977 World Series, but third baseman Ron Cey delivered one of the most memorable moments in franchise history during that postseason run. With the Dodgers trailing, 5-1, in the seventh inning of Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Phillies, Cey hit a game-tying grand slam off Hall of Famer Steve Carlton. While the Dodgers eventually lost that game, it helped them carry some momentum into the rest of the series, as they won the next three in a row to claim the pennant.

April 28, 1998: Nomo hits first big league HR
Hideo Nomo is well-known for everything he did on the mound, including the only no-hitter in Coors Field history, but the Japanese right-hander had some sneaky pop at the plate. He hit four career homers, with his first coming off Brewers right-hander Jose Mercedes in a 6-3 win at Dodger Stadium.

June 13, 1998: Dodgers turn first triple play at Dodger Stadium
It's hard to believe that it took the Dodgers 39 years to complete their first triple play at Dodger Stadium, but they made sure it was worth the wait. First baseman Eric Karros set up the play with a beautiful deke that forced the runners to scramble back to their respective bases. Then pitcher Darren Dreifort threw to José Vizcaíno, who recorded the first two outs. Eric Young finished off the play by throwing a laser to third baseman Bobby Bonilla, who applied the tag for the final out.

May 25, 2002: Roberts flexes muscles, hits grand slam
Former outfielder and current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hit only 23 home runs in his 10-year career, but he sure made them count. Of his 23 homers, two were grand slams, including this one against the D-backs. Roberts entered 2022 with a .622 winning percentage as the manager of the Dodgers, the highest mark Major League history.

April 9, 1981: The start of Fernandomania
Just hours after Jerry Reuss was scratched from his Opening Day start, the Mexico-born Fernando Valenzuela took the mound and dominated the Astros in a complete-game shutout. The start catapulted the left-hander to one of the most historic pitching runs in franchise history. Valenzuela went 8-0 with a 0.50 ERA and seven complete games in his first eight starts of the 1981 season.