Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born sensation of the Los Angeles Dodgers who ignited "Fernandomania" and won the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors in 1981, has passed away at 63.
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The Dodgers confirmed the news, revealing that Valenzuela died Tuesday night in a Los Angeles hospital, though they did not disclose the cause or any additional details. His passing occurs just days before the Dodgers are set to start the World Series at home against the New York Yankees on Friday. Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that Valenzuela will be honored during the Series at Dodger Stadium.
After an impressive 17-year Major League career, Valenzuela transitioned to serving as a Spanish-language broadcaster for the Dodgers, beginning in 2003. He had recently stepped back from broadcasting duties to focus on his health before the playoffs started, according to the team.
Valenzuela made his MLB debut as a reliever late in the 1980 season. Born in Navojoa, Mexico, he took the league by storm during the strike-shortened 1981 season after Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda opted to start him when pitcher Jerry Reuss got injured just before Opening Day.
The 20-year-old Valenzuela had never started a game in the majors prior but secured a 2-0 win against the Houston Astros and went on to achieve an 8-0 record to start the season, which included five shutouts and an astonishing 0.50 ERA.
"Tommy Lasorda came up and said to me, 'Are you ready to pitch tomorrow?
I am ready,'" Valenzuela recalled in 2023. "That was my chance to show what I could do." His unique pitching style, characterized by a glance up at the sky at the peak of his windup, along with his signature screwball—a pitch taught to him by teammate Bobby Castillo—made him a fan favorite.
The song "Fernando" by ABBA often played during his warmups, drawing large crowds of Latino fans to see "El Toro," his nickname reflecting his powerful presence on the mound.
Although he has yet to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, several of Valenzuela's artifacts, including a signed ball from his no-hitter in 1990, remain on display in Cooperstown. Hall of Fame Dodgers Spanish-language announcer Jaime Jarrin remarked in 2023, "His charisma was unbelievable."
Valenzuela concluded the 1981 season with a 13-7 record, a 2.48 ERA, and led the National League with 192⅓ innings pitched and 180 strikeouts, making him the first player to simultaneously win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award. His successful 1981 season marked the beginning of six consecutive All-Star appearances.
He finished third in Cy Young voting in 1982 and continued to excel despite a shoulder injury that later impacted his performance. He won another World Series title with the Dodgers in 1988, though he did not pitch during the postseason, and received Silver Slugger awards in 1981 and 1983.
"Fernando is one of the most influential figures in Dodgers history and rightfully belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes," said Stan Kasten, president and CEO of the Dodgers, in a statement.
“He captivated fans during the Fernandomania season of 1981 and remained dear to our hearts not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. His passing leaves a void. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Linda and his family.”
From 1980 to 1990, Valenzuela pitched for the Dodgers, including an unforgettable no-hitter on June 29, 1990, against the St. Louis Cardinals, a highlight distinguishable by his seven strikeouts and three walks. Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully's enthusiastic commentary, “If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky!” captured the moment's excitement.
Between 1983 and 1987, he consistently averaged 262 innings pitched per year and had 13 complete games during that period. He eventually had a streak of 255 consecutive starts that ended in August 1988 and registered a league-high 21 wins in 1986 with a 3.14 ERA, accumulating 96 complete games in his first seven seasons.
After retiring in 1997, Valenzuela remained a prominent figure in the Dodgers' franchise, holding various records for wins, strikeouts, and innings pitched. Actor and "Access Hollywood" co-host Mario Lopez expressed sorrow over Valenzuela’s passing with a heartfelt tribute, saying, "63 is way too young... A piece of my childhood is gone.
Growing up as a Mexican kid, one of the main reasons I’m a Dodgers fan is Fernando. He was not only a superb player but also a great man to the community. A true legend."
Valenzuela's incredible journey from his small hometown of Etchohuaquila in the Mexican state of Sonora to baseball stardom is notable. As the youngest child in a large family, he often accompanied his older siblings to their baseball games. He signed his first professional contract at 16 and quickly made a name for himself in the Mexican Central League.
In 1978, famed Dodgers scout Mike Brito was originally scouting another player when he witnessed Valenzuela pitch as a reliever. Captivated, Brito signed him with the Dodgers the following year. Valenzuela made his MLB debut in September 1980.
His remarkable ascent from modest beginnings in Mexico and his achievements on the mound made him a beloved figure in Los Angeles’ Latino community, while also attracting new fans to Major League Baseball. His popularity endures even after retirement. MLB Commissioner Manfred praised Valenzuela as "an outstanding ambassador for baseball," acknowledging his support of the sport's growth in Mexico and beyond.
Valenzuela was released by the Dodgers in March 1991, just before the start of the season, then played for five other teams over the next seven years, maintaining a record of 173-153, a 3.54 ERA, and 2,074 strikeouts across his career.
Six years following his retirement, Valenzuela rejoined the Dodgers' broadcast team in 2003. In a break from tradition, the Dodgers retired his number 34 during a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium in August 2023, a number that had been unofficially retired since his departure from the team.
Valenzuela became a U.S. citizen in 2015 and served as a coach for Mexico during the World Baseball Classic from 2006 to 2017. He co-owned the Mexican League team Tigres de Quintana Roo, with his son Fernando serving as president and his son Ricky as general manager. Valenzuela Jr. also played in the Padres and Chicago White Sox organizations.
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