The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Tuesday that baseball icon Fernando Valenzuela has passed away at the age of 63, told REUTERS. Known for his remarkable impact on the game and his beloved status among fans, Valenzuela leaves behind an enduring legacy that transcends his statistics.
Valenzuela’s rise to stardom began in 1981, a season that cemented his place in baseball history. That year, he became the only player to win both Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same season, all while leading the Dodgers to a World Series championship. His early dominance—marked by a string of shutouts—captivated fans and gave rise to “Fernandomania,” a phenomenon that swept across the baseball world.
But Valenzuela’s legacy was more than just his on-field achievements. Known affectionately as “El Toro,” he became an inspiration and cultural icon for Latino baseball fans and players, as well as a national hero in his native Mexico. His impact extended beyond the game, uniting a community and representing the hopes of many.
In early October, the Dodgers announced that Valenzuela was stepping away from his role in the broadcast booth to focus on his health, with plans to return in 2025. Sadly, that return will never come.
Dodgers president Stan Kasten released a statement mourning Valenzuela’s passing:
“On behalf of the Dodger organization, we profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando. He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes. He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Linda, and his family.”
Valenzuela’s journey to Major League Baseball was remarkable. Born into a poor family as the youngest of 12 children, he started his career as a teenager in the Mexican leagues before being discovered by Dodgers scout Mike Brito. His unique pitching motion, looking skyward before delivering a pitch, quickly caught attention.
His debut in 1980 was followed by an unforgettable 1981 season, where he began by throwing five shutouts in his first eight games, becoming an ace for a Dodgers team that won its first World Series since 1965. Even after his prime, Valenzuela’s no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1990 remains a legendary moment. After his final season with the Dodgers in 1990, he continued his career, playing for other teams and in the Mexican winter leagues before retiring in 1997.
Valenzuela later became a beloved Spanish-language commentator for the Dodgers, a role he held until his passing. Despite not being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Valenzuela’s No. 34 was finally retired by the Dodgers in 2023, to the joy of fans and the humble delight of the man himself, , via The Athletic:
“I never thought this would happen. Never thought I’d be in this situation. It’s hard to put into words,” Valenzuela said at the time.
Fernando Valenzuela’s impact on baseball and the Latino community will be remembered for generations, his legacy immortalized as one of the greatest to ever wear Dodger blue.
The final outs of Fernando’s no hitter, as called by Vin. If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky 😭 pic.twitter.com/CTmLg5AOwg
— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) October 23, 2024