Padres Amazed By The Valenzuela Of Old Fernando Makes Bonds A Believer

Forget for a minute the jokes about Fernando Valenzuela’s age - is he really only 35?

When he strutted off the mound following his second spring appearance, during which he twice struck out Barry Bonds, Valenzuela got a standing ovation, an enthusiastic greeting from his teammates and the strongest endorsement yet that he’ll be back in San Diego’s rotation.

“This looks like August,” Padres owner John Moores said. “Maybe he really is ageless.”

After seeing the first extended bullpen duty of his big-league career, the left-hander moved back into the rotation for the last month of 1995 and became the Padres’ hottest pitcher. A six-game winning streak gave him an 8-3 record, his first winning mark since leading the N.L. at 21-11 in 1986.

“I finished strong,” Valenzuela said Monday. “That finish gave me at least another year in this game.”

“With what he did last year, he’s a guy who’s going to be in our rotation,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “The talk is we’re looking for a fourth and fifth starter. Fernando has done an outstanding job. When he went into the rotation (late last year), really, he was our best pitcher over that time.”

Valenzuela, the fifth starter, came into spring training in good shape and with a rested arm. Sunday, he threw four hitless innings and struck out four. He got Bonds looking at an inside fastball for one strikeout, then struck him out again, swinging at a cut fastball away.

“I feel great, especially on location,” said Valenzuela, who 15 seasons ago won the N.L. Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards while with Los Angeles.

“Maybe we have a resurgence,” pitching coach Dan Warthen said. “I don’t want to get too high too early, but he’s been like that every time I’ve seen him pitch.”

Five years after a spring training meltdown cost him his job with L.A., Valenzuela is getting some continuity back into his career. The meandering from the minors to the majors, and even to Mexico has ended.

The Padres are his fifth big-league team, and this is the first time since 1989-90 with the Dodgers he has had consecutive spring trainings with the same club. San Diego re-signed him for $500,000 last winter. Valenzuela said he feels more a part of the team this year.

“That’s something that gives you more confidence, more secure to be open with the other players,” he said. “Now I’ve got a chance to repeat with one team. That’s great.

“The other thing is my arm is healthy, and I think I can help the team if I can stay healthy.”

So far, he’s been impressive.