Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela dies – dead at 63
Aug 11, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (34) speaks during a news conference prior to his jersey retirement ceremony at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela has died at the age of 63.
The Dodgers announced the news of Valenzuela’s death via their X account on Tuesday. They did not add any details regarding the circumstances of the late pitcher’s death.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela,” the team wrote in their message.
The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. pic.twitter.com/MXeBlDzDWJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2024
Earlier this month, reports emerged saying that Valenzuela had been hospitalized for some health issues. Valenzuela had stepped away from broadcasting duties as an announcer on the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcasts.
Though he served as a broadcaster for over 20 years, Valenzuela is best known for his legendary playing career. The southpaw pitched for the Dodgers for 11 seasons from 1980-1990. He captured Los Angeles through his outstanding pitching in the 1981 season, sweeping the entire city up in a frenzy known as “Fernandomania.” The Mexican pitcher helped connect the Mexican-American community with the Dodgers, while capturing the hearts of the entire city’s fans.
Valenzuela went 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 1981 and led the league with 11 complete games and 8 shutouts. He did all that despite being just 20 years old. Valenzuela’s oustanding performance earned him the NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award that season. He also led the Dodgers to a World Series title that year.
This shows just how much of a star he was in 1981:
For those too young to understand what Fernando Valenzuela meant to Mexico, to Los Angeles, to baseball, here are numbers from the first eight starts of his career in 1981. He was 20. He threw a devastating screwball. And for a month, he was the biggest sports star in the world. pic.twitter.com/gv2todBu2P
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 23, 2024
In addition to his stellar pitching in the ’80s, Valenzuela was one of the best hitting pitchers of his generation. He was sometimes used as a pinch hitter in games, and he won two Silver Slugger awards as the best hitting pitcher in the league.
