Legendary Dodgers Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela Dies at 63

Fernando Valenzuela, the beloved pitcher whose meteoric rise with the Los Angeles Dodgers gave birth to "Fernandomania," passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63, the Dodgers confirmed. Valenzuela's influence both on and off the field made him a cultural icon, especially among Latino baseball fans, and his death marks the end of an era in Major League Baseball.

Ahead of the Dodgers' 2024 postseason, the team announced Valenzuela would be stepping away from his usual Spanish-language radio broadcast duties to focus on his health, but few expected this tragic outcome. “He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” said Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten in a statement.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred also reflected on Valenzuela’s impact, stating, “Fernando was one of the most impactful players of his generation.” MLB plans to honor him during the upcoming World Series.

Valenzuela’s career spanned 17 years, where he became a six-time All-Star, achieved 173 career wins, and struck out over 2,000 batters. While he played for other teams, including the California Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and San Diego Padres, his legendary status was cemented during his 11 seasons with the Dodgers.

Born in the small town of Etchohuaquila in Sonora, Mexico, Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 children. His rise to MLB stardom is still the stuff of legend. His unique physique—stocky build, thick hair, and round face—made him stand out. But it was his poise and dominance on the mound that truly won over fans.

Valenzuela's historic career took an unexpected turn in 1981 when Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda named the then-20-year-old rookie as the Opening Day starter. Injuries to the team’s top pitchers forced the Dodgers to turn to Valenzuela, who had only pitched 17 relief innings in the Majors at the time. Despite the pressure, Valenzuela pitched a five-hit shutout against the defending National League West champion Houston Astros. That remarkable performance set the tone for a season that would launch "Fernandomania."

Valenzuela’s rookie year was extraordinary—he won his first eight starts, finished the season with a 13-7 record, a 2.48 ERA, and pitched a complete game to help the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series against the New York Yankees. That year, he made history as the only player ever to win both the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season.

Valenzuela's success transcended baseball. He became a cultural phenomenon in the U.S., especially among the Latino community, who saw in him a symbol of pride. Legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully famously described the excitement around Valenzuela as a "religious experience." Fans packed Dodger Stadium in droves to see their hero pitch, and the team responded to the fervor by playing Mexican folk music at the stadium and hiring additional Spanish-speaking staff to accommodate the surge of Hispanic fans.

The influence of "Fernandomania" reached beyond the ballpark. Spanish-language broadcasts of Dodgers games exploded, with the number of Mexican radio stations covering the team jumping from three to 17, according to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). At its peak, the Spanish-language broadcast audience was more than double that of Scully's English-language broadcasts.

Valenzuela followed his rookie campaign with six consecutive All-Star selections and added two Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove to his accolades. His 1986 season stands as his best, with 21 wins and 20 complete games, solidifying his reputation as one of the most durable and effective pitchers of his time
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Valenzuela’s tenure with the Dodgers ended in 1991 when the team released him during spring training. Though he played for several other teams before retiring in 1997, he never quite recaptured his early-career dominance. However, his contributions to the sport endured. In 2003, Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers as a Spanish-language broadcaster, working alongside his former interpreter, Jaime Jarrín, calling games for more than two decades.

In 2023, Valenzuela’s legacy was immortalized when the Dodgers retired his iconic No. 34 jersey. He became the first player in Dodgers history to receive the honor without being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Valenzuela leaves behind his wife, Linda, and their four children. His passing not only marks the loss of a legendary pitcher but also a beloved figure whose influence transcended baseball, especially for the Latino community.

Valenzuela’s storied career and cultural impact will be remembered for generations. From his historic rise with the Dodgers to the phenomenon that was "Fernandomania," his legacy as one of baseball’s greatest players is secure. His screwball, his smile, and his connection to fans made him a figure larger than the game itself.