Fans mourns death of Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela
Aug 11, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (34) speaks during a ceremony to retire his jersey number prior to a game against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The MLB world was rocked Tuesday after news broke of Fernando Valenzuela’s death.
The Dodgers announced on X that Valenzuela had died at the age of 63. The news had several fans on social media commemorating the man who inspired “Fernandomania” in the early 1980s.
Rest in Peace Fernando Valenzuelapic.twitter.com/tXb2Gez4AX
— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) October 23, 2024
I was six years old in 1981. The name, Fernando Valenzuela, and the word “Fernandomania” were among the musical, magical, mythical names that made me fall in love with the sport as a kid. I would say it over & over in the thickest 6 year old Spanish accent I could muster. RIP. pic.twitter.com/dIdVorMpiT
— Damon Bruce (@DamonBruce) October 23, 2024
Fernando was a legit superhero to Angelenos, the embodiment of the immigrant success story with an unorthodox delivery and screwball that every kid tried and failed to imitate. A charisma & incandescent smile that broke through any language barrier. A myth
Fernandomania forever https://t.co/1pbhRpwwNf
— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) October 23, 2024
Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most beloved athletes in the history of Los Angeles.
An all-time Dodger great who was not only a legend on the field, but a huge personality off it.
So sad to hear of his passing, but so grateful for #Fernandomania.
Descanse en paz.
— Josh Hamilton (@joshahamilton) October 23, 2024
Valenzuela quickly won the hearts of Dodgers fans with one of the greatest starts to a career in MLB history. He was a late replacement as the team’s opening day starter during his rookie season on April 9, 1981.
“Fernandomania” began after Valenzuela threw a complete game shutout in a 2-0 win over the Houston Astros in front of a packed crowd at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. Valenzuela went on to win his first eight starts, pitching nine innings in each one of them. His legendary eight-game run included more shutouts (5) than earned runs allowed (4).
The Mexican left-hander famously became the first player to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in the same season. His legendary 1981 campaign was capped off by his one and only World Series win.
In 17 MLB seasons, Valenzuela had a career ERA of 3.54 with 113 complete games and over 2,000 strikeouts. Valenzuela tallied six All-Star nods, four top-five Cy Young award finishes, two Silver Slugger awards, and a Gold Glove.