Fernando Valenzuela was Dodgers' ace, Mexican phenom

LOS ANGELES -- The kid from Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico, who electrified the city of Los Angeles with ‘Fernandomania’ in the 80s, Dodgers legendary left-hander Fernando Valenzuela, has died. He was 63.

The Dodgers organization released a statement on Tuesday evening regarding Valenzuela's passing.

“On behalf of the Dodger organization, we profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando,” said Stan Kasten, President & CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers. “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.”

The cause of death has not been disclosed. However, Valenzuela recently stepped back from his role as a Spanish-language broadcaster a few weeks ago because of health issues. 

He joined the Dodgers' Spanish broadcast team in 2003.

Three years before he was handed the ball to be the Opening Day starter, Dodger scout Mike Brito traveled to Mexico, where he first saw Fernando Valenzuela pitch. It was there that he recognized the potential of this young Mexican pitcher. At just 17 years old, Valenzuela displayed a fearless presence on the mound that set him apart from others.

The Dodgers signed 18-year-old Valenzuela's contract from his Mexican League team in July 1979 for a reported $120,000, with $20,000 going to the young player, who shared it with his family.

Dodger Nation was introduced to "Fernandomania" when Valenzuela, glancing up at the sky through his windup, started his rookie season 8-0 with five shutouts in 1981. However, not all members of the Mexican community embraced it.

In the 1950s, before the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, the community at Chavez Ravine was forcibly cleared to make way for public housing.

In 1958, the city struck a deal with Walter O’Malley, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, to relocate the team to Los Angeles. As part of this agreement, Dodger Stadium was built on empty land in Chavez Ravine following the physical eviction of the last remaining families who had not sold their homes.

While the Dodgers enjoy building their new stadium at Chavez Ravine, it has created significant tension between the Mexican-American community and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In the early 1980s, 'El Toro' quickly earned the support of the Mexican community.

In his rookie year with the Dodgers, Valenzuela was selected as a starter for the National League in the 1981 All-Star Game. He played a crucial role in the Dodgers' journey to victory in the World Series against the New York Yankees. Valenzuela made history by becoming the first player in MLB to be named both Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award winner in the same season.

In August 2023, the Dodgers honored Fernando Valenzuela by retiring his No. 34, one of only 12 numbers retired by the team. He was also inducted into the Dodgers' Ring of Honor, becoming the 14th member.

Valenzuela played for the Dodgers from 1980 to 1991 before joining the Angels, Padres, Phillies, Orioles and Cardinals.

He threw his only no-hitter on June 29, 1990, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Valenzuela's career record was 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA. He pitched 2,930 innings, recording 2,074 strikeouts and maintaining a 1.32 WHIP. He also threw 113 complete games, including 31 shutouts.