Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born star for the Los Angeles Dodgers who impressed “Fernandomania” whereas profitable the NL Cy Younger Award and Rookie of the 12 months in 1981, has died. He was 63.
The group stated he died on Tuesday night time at a Los Angeles hospital, however didn’t present the trigger or different particulars.
His loss of life comes because the Dodgers put together to open the World Collection on Friday night time at residence in opposition to the New York Yankees. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stated Valenzuela can be honored in the course of the collection at Dodger Stadium.
Valenzuela had left his coloration commentator job on the Dodgers’ Spanish-language tv broadcast in September with out rationalization. He was reported to have been hospitalized earlier this month. His job stored him as an everyday at Dodger Stadium, the place he held court docket within the press field eating room earlier than video games and remained widespread with followers who sought him out for images and autographs.
“God bless Fernando Valenzuela!” actor and Dodgers fan Danny Trejo posted on X.
Valenzuela was some of the dominant gamers of his period and a wildly widespread determine within the Nineteen Eighties, though he was by no means elected to the Baseball Corridor of Fame.
“He is likely one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” Stan Kasten, group president and CEO, stated in a press release. “He galvanized the fanbase with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained near our hearts ever since, not solely as a participant but additionally as a broadcaster. He has left us all too quickly.”
Valenzuela’s rise from humble beginnings because the youngest of 12 youngsters in Mexico and his feats on the mound made him massively widespread and influential in Los Angeles’ Latino group whereas serving to entice new followers to MLB. Their fondness for him continued for years after his retirement.
“63 is method too younger…. A chunk of my childhood is gone,” actor and Entry Hollywood co-host Mario Lopez posted on X. “Rising up as a Mexican child one of many essential causes I’m a Dodgers fan is due to Fernando. … Not solely a fantastic participant, however a fantastic man to the group. What a legend.”
Eva Torres, initially from Mexico Metropolis, drove from Anaheim to take a look at murals of Valenzuela on Sundown Boulevard close to Dodgers Stadium.
“I wasn’t a fan of baseball however I’m a fan of his,” she stated. “He’s like me, an immigrant that got here right here to do nice issues.”
In 1981, Valenzuela grew to become the Dodgers’ opening day starter as a rookie after Jerry Reuss was injured 24 hours earlier than his scheduled begin. He shut out the Houston Astros and commenced the season 8-0 with 5 shutouts and an ERA of 0.50. He grew to become the primary participant to win a Cy Younger and Rookie of the 12 months in the identical season. His performances created the delirium often known as “Fernandomania” amongst Dodgers followers. The Abba hit Fernando would play as he warmed up on the mound.
He was an All-Star choice yearly from 1981-86, when he recorded 97 victories, 84 full video games, 1,258 strikeouts and a 2.97 ERA. He was 5-1 with a 2.00 ERA in eight postseason begins. He earned two Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove.
Nicknamed “El Toro” by the followers, Valenzuela had an unorthodox and memorable pitching movement that included trying skyward on the apex of every windup. His repertoire included a screwball – making him one of many few pitchers of his period to throw it recurrently.
Early in his Dodgers profession, Valenzuela spoke little English and had hassle speaking along with his catchers. Rookie Mike Scioscia discovered Spanish and have become Valenzuela’s private catcher earlier than changing into the group’s full-time catcher. Valenzuela was additionally a better-than-average hitter for a pitcher, with 10 profession residence runs.
Finally, his pitching was compromised by nagging shoulder issues that stored him out of the 1988 postseason, when the Dodgers gained the World Collection. The group launched Valenzuela simply earlier than the 1991 season. He additionally pitched for the previous California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St Louis Cardinals.
He retired in 1997, going 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA in 17 seasons, the all-time main league chief in wins and strikeouts (2,074) by a Mexican-born participant. In 11 seasons with the Dodgers, he was 141-116 with a 3.31 ERA. He additionally pitched a no-hitter in June 1990, a 6-0 victory over the St Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. He struck out seven and walked three.
Valenzuela’s rise from his tiny hometown of Etchohuaquila within the Mexican state of Sonora to stardom within the US was unbelievable. He was the youngest little one in a big household who tagged alongside when his older brothers performed baseball. He signed his first professional contract at age 16, and shortly started overpowering older gamers within the Mexican Central League.
In 1978, legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito was in Mexico to look at a shortstop when Valenzuela entered the sport as a reliever. He instantly commanded Brito’s consideration and at 18, Valenzuela signed with the Dodgers in 1979. He was despatched to the California League that very same 12 months. In 1980, Valenzuela was referred to as as much as the Dodgers in September and shortly made his large league debut as a reliever.
In 2003, Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers because the Spanish-language radio coloration commentator for NL video games. Twelve years later, he switched to the colour commentator job on the group’s Spanish-language TV feed.
“He persistently supported the expansion of the sport by the World Baseball Basic and at MLB occasions throughout his residence nation,” Manfred stated in a press release. “As a member of the Dodger broadcasting group for greater than 20 years, Fernando helped to achieve a brand new technology of followers and domesticate their love of the sport. Fernando will at all times stay a beloved determine in Dodger historical past and a particular supply of pleasure for the tens of millions of Latino followers he impressed.”
Along with his sons, he’s survived by his spouse, Linda, whom he married in 1981, and daughters Linda and Maria in addition to seven grandchildren.
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