Legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela passes away at age 63

Fernando Valenzuela, the force behind "Fernandomania" and a dual winner of the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981 as the Los Angeles Dodgers captured the World Series, has passed away at the age of 63.

The Dodgers announced his passing, noting that Valenzuela died Tuesday night at a hospital in Los Angeles. The team did not disclose further details or the cause of death.

Valenzuela’s passing comes as the Dodgers prepare to open the World Series on Friday against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium, where MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated he would be honored during the series.

After 17 seasons as a major league pitcher, Valenzuela transitioned to the broadcast booth in 2003, serving as a Spanish-language commentator for the Dodgers. He stepped back from his broadcasting duties before the start of the playoffs to prioritize his health, according to the team.

Born in Navojoa, Mexico, Valenzuela’s rise to stardom began late in the 1980 season when he was called up as a reliever. His breakthrough came in 1981 when, at just 20 years old and having never started a major league game, he was asked to step in after Jerry Reuss was injured on the eve of Opening Day. Valenzuela responded with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros, launching a season that saw him start 8-0 with five shutouts and a staggering 0.50 ERA.

Reflecting on the moment in 2023, Valenzuela recalled Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda asking, "Are you ready to pitch tomorrow?" to which he replied, "I'm ready."

Valenzuela’s unique pitching style, featuring his signature skyward glance at the peak of his windup and his mastery of the screwball—a pitch he learned from teammate Bobby Castillo—captivated fans across the country. His arrival drew large crowds, particularly from the Latino community, and the phenomenon known as "Fernandomania" took hold. Fans were drawn to his flair on the mound, where he was known as "El Toro," and his entrance music, ABBA’s "Fernando," became a familiar sound at Dodger Stadium.

Despite not being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Valenzuela remains a significant figure in Cooperstown, where memorabilia such as a signed ball from his 1990 no-hitter is preserved.

His 1981 season, which saw him win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards, marked the beginning of six consecutive All-Star selections. Over his career, he achieved numerous accolades, including another World Series title in 1988 and two Silver Slugger awards.

Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten, in a statement, called Valenzuela "one of the most influential Dodgers ever," adding that he "galvanized the fan base during Fernandomania and remained close to our hearts ever since." He offered condolences to Valenzuela's family.

Valenzuela’s no-hitter on June 29, 1990, was a crowning achievement in his Dodgers career, a 6-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully famously said during the broadcast, "If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky!" His endurance on the mound was equally remarkable, with an average of 262 innings pitched between 1983 and 1987, and a streak of 255 consecutive starts that ended in 1988.

Upon his retirement in 1997, Valenzuela ranked among the Dodgers’ franchise leaders in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, starts, and shutouts. His journey from a small town in Mexico to stardom in Major League Baseball, where he inspired generations of Latino fans, made him a beloved figure in both the sport and the Los Angeles community.

Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers in 2003 as part of their Spanish-language broadcast team. His jersey, No. 34, was retired by the team in a ceremony in August 2023, a departure from the Dodgers' tradition of only retiring numbers of Hall of Famers.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred recognized Valenzuela as "an outstanding ambassador for baseball" whose influence extended far beyond the field. Valenzuela’s contributions to the growth of the game, especially within the Latino community, continue to be felt.

Valenzuela is survived by his wife, Linda, his children, Linda, Maria, Fernando Jr., and Ricky, and seven grandchildren.

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