Los Angeles Dodgers pitching legend Fernando Valenzuela died at the age of 63 on Tuesday, October 22nd.
The lefty sparked Fernandomania as a rookie and become of the most beloved players in the history of Dodger blue. Valenzuela finished with a 173-153 record, starting in 424 of 453 games, and with a 3.54 ERA. He played six teams in a career than spanned 1980-97. The team released a statement: “Fernandomanía por siempre,” the team’s post read. “Fernandomanía forever.”
The team said he died Tuesday night at a Los Angeles hospital, but did not provide the cause or other details.
His death comes as the Dodgers prepare to open the World Series on Friday night at home against the New York Yankees. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Valenzuela would be honored during the series at Dodger Stadium.
Valenzuela had left his color commentator job on the Dodgers’ Spanish-language television broadcast in September without explanation. He was reported to have been hospitalized earlier this month. His job kept him as a regular at Dodger Stadium, where he held court in the press box dining room before games and remained popular with fans who sought him out for photos and autographs.
I had the privlege of meeting Fernando in the Dodgers Press Box in 2019. He was gracious, genuine and loved meeting People. He asked my name, leaned down to make eye contact and patted me on the back.
Even though it was the Press Box, where cheering is forbidden. Anyone who met him was in awe of the icon, and everyone loved the man.
Valenzuela was one of the most dominant players of his era and a wildly popular figure in the 1980s, although he was never elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, he is part of Cooperstown, which features several artifacts including a signed ball from his no-hitter in 1990.
He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” Stan Kasten, team president and CEO, said in a statement. “He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon.”
Valenzuela’s rise from humble beginnings as the youngest of 12 children in Mexico and his feats on the mound made him hugely popular and influential in Los Angeles’ Latino community while helping attract new fans to Major League Baseball.
Their fondness for him continued for years after his retirement.
In 1981, Valenzuela became the Dodgers’ opening day starter as a rookie after Jerry Reuss was injured 24 hours before his scheduled start. He shut out the Houston Astros 2-0 and began the season 8-0 with five shutouts and an ERA of 0.50. He became the first player to win a Cy Young and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
His performances created the delirium known as “Fernandomania” among Dodgers fans. The ABBA hit “Fernando” would play as he warmed up on the mound.
He is the all-time major league leader in wins (173) and strikeouts (2,074) by a Mexican-born player.
In addition to his sons, he is survived by his wife, Linda, who was a schoolteacher from Mexico whom he married in 1981, and daughters Linda and Maria as well as seven grandchildren.
The entire city of LA, as well as Dodgers Nation is feeling blue with the loss of this great pitcher and man. Let’s win this World Series for the great Fernando!
