Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has passed away at age 63, days before his beloved team returns to the World Series to face the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers announced the news late Tuesday evening with no cause of death given.
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 post announcing Valenzuela’s passing had two phrases on it, 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 in mid-1981 during ‘Fernandomania’
Valenzuela played in the major leagues from 1980 until his retirement in 1997.
During his first eight starts of the 1981 season, Valenzuela allowed only four earned runs and had a complete-game win each time he took the mound.
He was named the Opening Day in 1981 by manager Tommy Lasorda after Jerry Reuss got hurt a day earlier. He responded with a 2-0 victory over Houston, beginning the season with an 8-0 record, including five shutouts, and an 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 stayed close to the franchise after retirement. He was the color commentator on the Spanish-language broadcasts for its SportsNet LA cable channel until earlier this month.
The Dodgers had announced Valenzuela had been hopeful to return to the booth next season, as he stepped aside to focus on his health.
The Etchohuaquila, Mexico native is credited for drawing large numbers of Latino fans to Dodger Stadium and they nicknamed him “El Toro” — the Bull. He proved a huge draw on the road as well.
Valenzuela’s pitching motion — glancing skyward at the apex of each windup — was a hit, too. His signature pitch was the screwball, taught to him by teammate Bobby Castillo in 1979.
During his warmups, ABBA’s hit ‘Fernando’ blared from the speakers.
Valenzuela spent the first 11 of his 17 years in the majors with Los Angeles. He helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series, winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year after he went 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 balloting for the NL Cy Young Award.
Valenzuela appeared in his last big league game with 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
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