Yankees’ Max Fried equals rare MLB record set by Dodgers’ legend in 1981

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Max Fried’s dominance for the Yankees matches the historic 1981 MLB record-tying start set by the Dodgers’ legend “El Toro.”

While Max Fried hasn’t sparked mariachi bands or cultural celebrations in the Bronx like Fernando Valenzuela did in Los Angeles during 1981, the statistical parallels between their starts have become undeniable.

The Yankees’ premier winter acquisition has officially entered exceptional historical territory. Following his most recent masterful seven-inning, one-hit shutout against Tampa Bay, Fried became the first pitcher since Valenzuela to begin a season with six victories and no more than five earned runs allowed across his initial seven starts with a new organization, according to OptaStats.

This achievement aligns him with one of baseball’s most celebrated beginnings—Valenzuela’s “Fernandomania” season of 1981—when the then-20-year-old Dodgers phenom captivated the sport with a remarkable stretch that ultimately earned him both Cy Young and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.

Fried’s statistical excellence

Through seven appearances in pinstripes, Fried boasts a 6-0 record with a microscopic 1.01 ERA, having struck out 39 batters across 44.2 innings while maintaining a 0.94 WHIP. He’s surrendered just five earned runs total during this span, completing at least six innings in all but one outing. His latest performance against the Rays featured six strikeouts and just a single hit allowed through seven frames.

The Yankees, currently 19-13 and leading the American League East, remain undefeated at 7-0 in Fried’s starts, making him the first Yankees hurler since Richard Dotson in 1988 to win his first seven team appearances. No pitcher in franchise history has begun a Yankees career with comparable dominance since the organization started tracking such metrics.

Valenzuela’s shadow — and Fried’s spotlight

During 1981, Valenzuela transformed into a cultural phenomenon, beloved not just for his signature screwball and distinctive mound presence but for his immediate impact. Through his first seven starts that season, Valenzuela compiled a perfect 7-0 record with an almost unfathomable 0.33 ERA, yielding only two earned runs. His performance established the benchmark against which all rookie pitchers and newcomers have been measured for over four decades.

While Fried arrived with established credentials rather than rookie status—and certainly with substantial expectations—the early returns on his eight-year, $215 million contract have placed him in a similarly historic context.

Fried’s arrival in New York addressed more than just a roster vacancy. With ace Gerrit Cole sidelined indefinitely and Luis Gil just completing injury rehabilitation, Fried has emerged as both a stabilizer and standard-bearer. His ability to consistently work deep into games has preserved the bullpen, allowing relievers like Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to operate with increased flexibility.

Command and craft over power

Fried’s effectiveness isn’t derived from overwhelming velocity. His fastball typically registers between 89 and 94 mph, but his distinguishing qualities lie in pitch execution, command precision, and deceptive delivery.

His complete arsenal features a mid-70s curveball with sharp downward action, a cutting slider, and a fading changeup that vanishes at the bottom of the zone. Opposing batters find themselves constantly guessing, often departing the box confused even on takes.

The analytical community has taken notice of Fried’s surgical approach. YES Network analysts have highlighted how his movement patterns, tempo variation, and pitch sequencing prevent hitters from making solid contact, with many visibly frustrated by the fifth inning of his starts.

Impact beyond stats

Beyond numerical achievements, Fried’s consistency has stabilized a Yankees squad carrying enormous expectations. New York entered the campaign determined to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season that fell short in October. The organization revamped its lineup by adding Paul Goldschmidt while building around core pieces, Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe.

However, it’s Fried’s mound mastery that has provided the Yankees with breathing room atop a competitive AL East. His performances have repeatedly reversed negative momentum following losses and prevented extended losing streaks. He’s allowed just one earned run across four starts that immediately followed Yankees defeats—a characteristic typically associated with genuine ace pitchers.

‘Max-Mania’ in the Bronx?

While no signature chants or celebratory rituals have emerged yet, Fried’s performances are generating their own excitement among the fan base. Yankees social media channels have coined the term “Max-mania” as a nod to the original “Fernandomania” phenomenon, with highlight clips of Fried freezing batters with his devastating breaking pitches circulating widely after each outing.

Though these comparisons remain more playful than formal, they underscore an undeniable fact: Fried is performing at a historically significant pace, particularly while under the intense scrutiny that accompanies pitching at Yankee Stadium.

Even manager Aaron Boone, typically cautious about early-season hyperbole, acknowledged that Fried’s reliability has matched or exceeded all expectations.

Boone told reporters after the game that Fried has been everything they hoped for and more. He added that with Cole sidelined, Fried has stepped up and taken ownership of the situation, which means everything to the team.

A Bronx legend in the making?

Fried’s next scheduled start comes midweek against the Detroit Tigers, who currently occupy the basement of the AL Central standings. The matchup represents more of a test of consistency than difficulty, but one that aligns perfectly with Fried’s methodical approach.

The larger questions loom ahead. If he maintains his current form, discussions will inevitably shift from “valuable addition” to legitimate Cy Young contender. With his league-leading 1.01 ERA, he’s not merely accumulating wins—he’s establishing the standard for pitching excellence.

Max Fried hasn’t completely rewritten Yankees pitching history yet, but he’s fundamentally altered the team’s winning formula for 2025.

By joining Fernando Valenzuela as the only pitcher to begin this dominantly with a new organization, Fried has carved out his place in baseball lore. If “Fernandomania” belonged to Los Angeles in 1981, “Max-mania” appears poised to become the Bronx’s 2025 narrative.

This time, backed by a $215 million investment—and the full weight of the Yankees’ championship aspirations.

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