Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has died at the age of 63, days before his beloved team returns to the World Series to face the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers announced the news late Tuesday night without providing a cause of death.
Valenzuela went from obscurity to superstardom in 1981 during a period known as “Fernandomania,” when he became the only player to win a Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
The Dodgers’ message announcing Valenzuela’s death contained two sentences, one in Spanish and one in English.
‘Fernandomania por siempre’ and ‘Fernandomania forever.’
Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63
Valenzuela went from obscurity to superstardom during ‘Fernandomania’ in mid-1981
Valenzuela played in the major leagues from 1980 until his retirement in 1997.
Through his first eight starts of the 1981 season, Valenzuela allowed just four earned runs and achieved a complete game victory every time he took the mound.
He was named Opening Day by manager Tommy Lasorda in 1981 after Jerry Reuss was injured the day before. He responded with a 2–0 win over Houston to start the season with an 8–0 record, including five shutouts, and a 0.50 earned run average.
“Tommy Lasorda came up to me and said, ‘Are you ready to pitch tomorrow?’ I said, ‘I’m ready,'” Valenzuela recalled. ‘That’s what I was looking for, the opportunity to show what I can do.’
Valenzuela remained close to the franchise after his retirement. Until earlier this month, he was a color commentator on the Spanish-language broadcasts of cable channel SportsNet LA.
The Dodgers had announced that Valenzuela was hopeful of returning to the fold next season as he stepped aside to focus on his health.
The native of Etchohuaquila, Mexico, is credited with attracting large numbers of Latino fans to Dodger Stadium and they nicknamed him “El Toro” – the bull. He also proved to have great appeal on the road.
No cause of death was given for his death coming days before the start of the World Series
Valenzuela remained close to the team as a Spanish-language color commentator during his retirement
Valenzuela was one of the most popular players in the MLB in the 1980s and 1990s
Valenzuela is credited with popularizing the MLB among Latino fans in the United States
Valenzuela’s pitching motion – looking skyward at the top of each windup – was also a hit. His signature throw was the screwball, which was taught to him in 1979 by teammate Bobby Castillo.
During his warm-up, ABBA’s hit ‘Fernando’ blared from the speakers.
Valenzuela spent the first eleven of his seventeen years in the majors with Los Angeles. He helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series and won the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year after going 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 25 starts.
The six-time All-Star won at least 10 games and made at least 25 starts in nine seasons with the Dodgers. He went 21-11 with a 3.14 ERA in 1986, throwing 20 complete games and finishing second to Mike Scott in voting for the NL Cy Young Award.
Valenzuela played in his last big league game against St. Louis in July 1997. He finished his playing career with a 173-153 record and a 3.54 ERA in 453 games, including 424 starts.