Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom who inspired “Fernandomania” during his dominant rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, has passed away at the age of 63. The Dodgers announced Valenzuela’s death on Tuesday night, stating that he had died at a Los Angeles hospital but did not provide the cause or further details.
Valenzuela’s death comes as the Dodgers prepare to open the World Series at home against the New York Yankees on Friday night. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed in a statement that Valenzuela would be honored during the series at Dodger Stadium.
Valenzuela’s legacy as a pitcher and a cultural icon extends far beyond the baseball diamond. Born in the small town of Etchohuaquila in the Mexican state of Sonora, Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 children and grew up in humble circumstances. His rise from obscurity to stardom was nothing short of remarkable.
Valenzuela’s professional baseball journey began at the age of 16 when he signed his first pro contract and began overpowering older players in the Mexican Central League. In 1978, Dodgers scout Mike Brito discovered Valenzuela while watching a different player in Mexico. Brito was immediately impressed by Valenzuela’s potential, and the Dodgers signed him at the age of 18 in 1979.
Valenzuela’s breakout season came in 1981, when he was thrust into the spotlight as the Dodgers’ opening day starter due to last-minute injuries to the team’s first two scheduled starters. Against all odds, the rookie pitcher shut out the defending NL West champion Houston Astros 2-0, kicking off a dominant stretch that saw him start the season 8-0 with five shutouts and an ERA of 0.50.
His performances created the delirium known as “Fernandomania” among Dodgers fans. The ABBA hit “Fernando” became his theme song, playing as he warmed up on the mound. Valenzuela’s unique windup, which included looking skyward at the apex of each windup, and his unorthodox physique made him an instant fan favorite.
Valenzuela’s rookie season was nothing short of historic. He finished the year with a 13-7 record and a 2.48 ERA, earning him both the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors. He was also the starting pitcher for the National League in the 1981 All-Star Game and helped the Dodgers win the World Series that year.
Throughout his 17-year career in MLB, Valenzuela was a six-time All-Star, recording 173 regular season wins and over 2,000 strikeouts. He played 11 seasons with the Dodgers and also had stints with the California Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, and San Diego Padres.
Valenzuela’s impact on the game extended far beyond his on-field achievements. He was a cultural phenomenon that gave the Latino community in the United States a role model to root for. His rise to stardom helped attract new fans to Major League Baseball and made him a beloved figure in Los Angeles’ Latino community.
After his playing career ended in 1997, Valenzuela continued his connection to the Dodgers as a Spanish-language color commentator. He began calling games on the Dodgers’ Spanish-language radio broadcast in 2003 and later switched to the team’s Spanish-language TV feed in 2015. His job kept him a regular at Dodger Stadium, where he remained popular with fans who sought him out for photos and autographs.
Despite his impressive career, Valenzuela was never elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, his legacy is secure as one of the most influential Dodgers of all time. The team retired his No. 34 jersey in 2023, making him the first player in franchise history to receive that honor without being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
In a statement, Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten called Valenzuela “one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes.” Kasten added, “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.”