Legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela dies at 63

Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, identified affectionately to followers throughout the baseball world as “El Toro,” has died at 63 years outdated. 

The Etchohauquila, Sonora, Mexico native not too long ago stepped away from his role within the Dodgers’ broadcast sales space to give attention to his well being simply forward of the staff’s run to the World Collection. He had deliberate to return for the 2025 season. 

The person behind “Fernandomania,” which took Los Angeles by storm in the course of the Nineteen Eighties, spent 11 of his 17 seasons in Main League Baseball with the Boys in Blue, main the staff to a World Collection title in 1981.

He was well-known for his signature windup and excessive leg kick earlier than dazzling hitters with a nearly un-hittable screwball. Upon retirement, he ranked amongst the franchise’s high 10 all-time in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, video games began, full video games and shutouts. 

The Dodgers honored Valenzuela in 2023 by retiring his No. 34, making him solely the eleventh Dodger to attain a spot above the left discipline bleachers. 

Late Tuesday night the staff took to X to acknowledge Valenzuela’s loss of life. 

“Fernandomania por siempre,” mentioned a photograph. “Fernandomania without end.”

Valenzuela’s rookie season in 1981 is considered probably the greatest ever as he secured each the Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr and Cy Younger Awards. Over the course of his profession he was named to 6 All-Star Video games, gained two Silver Slugger Awards and one Gold Glove Award. He additionally tossed a no-hitter in 1990, which prompted one of many late Vin Scully’s most memorable calls: “In case you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky!”

Upon retirement he was the all-time chief in wins and strikeouts amongst Mexican-born gamers. 

“He created extra baseball followers, and Dodger followers, than every other participant,” mentioned Jaime Jarrín, beloved former Dodgers broadcaster who referred to as video games from 1959-2022, forward of Valenzuela’s quantity retirement ceremony. “Due to this child, individuals fell in love with baseball. Particularly throughout the Mexican neighborhood.”  

Following his time with the Boys in Blue, Valenzuela pitched for a number of different huge league groups, together with the then-California Angels, the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals. He continued to play till 2006 within the Mexican Baseball League.

Learn extra: Former teammates, fans and Los Angeles icons react to news of Fernando Valenzuela’s death

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred shared an announcement following the information.

“Fernando Valenzuela was one of the impactful gamers of his technology. Together with his distinctive pitching model, the Dodger left-hander’s rookie season generated a lot pleasure within the U.S. and his native Mexico that it grew to become generally known as ‘Fernandomania,’” the assertion learn, partly. “Following his memorable profession, Fernando was an impressive ambassador for baseball. He persistently supported the expansion of the sport by way of the World Baseball Traditional and at MLB occasions throughout his dwelling nation. As a member of the Dodger broadcasting staff for greater than 20 years, Fernando helped to succeed in a brand new technology of followers and domesticate their love of the sport. Fernando will all the time stay a beloved determine in Dodger historical past and a particular supply of pleasure for the thousands and thousands of Latino followers he impressed.”

Main League Baseball plans to honor Valenzuela in the course of the 2024 World Collection, which opens at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. 

“On behalf of Main League Baseball, I lengthen my deepest condolences to Fernando’s household, the Dodgers, his mates throughout the sport, and all of the loyal baseball followers of Mexico,” Manfred’s assertion mentioned.