From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea’ (Latin American Spanish pronunciation: [feɾˈnando βalenˈswela]; November 1, 1960 – October 22, 2024), nicknamed “El Toro”, was a Mexican professional baseball player. Valenzuela played 17 Major League Baseball (MLB) games, from 1980 to 1997 (except for a year off in Mexico in 1992). He played for six MLB teams, most famously with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who signed him in 1979 and gave him his MLB debut in 1980. Valenzuela pitched black and threw left-handed, with no wind excellence. He was one of the few pitchers who threw the ball consistently in this era. Valenzuela enjoyed his breakout year in 1981, when “Fernandomania” catapulted him from obscurity to stardom. He won his first eight starts, five of them shutouts, and finished with a 13–7 winning record and a 2.48 earned run average (ERA) in the season with one strikeout remaining. He became the first, and since 2024, only player to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season. The Dodgers won the World Series that year.
Guest 2: Definitely! Fernando’s unconventional style, often referred to as “Fernandomania,” not only kept hitters guessing but also captivated fans nationwide. His signature screwball was particularly effective, often baffling batters and leading to numerous strikeouts. He combined his physical skills with an astute baseball IQ, allowing him to read hitters and adjust his strategies mid-game. This adaptability, along with his strong work ethic and determination, made him one of the most formidable pitchers of his time.
Question 1: Can you tell us about Fernando Valenzuela’s journey to becoming a professional baseball player and his rise to fame in the MLB?
Guest 1: Fernando Valenzuela was a Mexican baseball player who started his career in the late 70s. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers for most of his MLB career and quickly became one of the most popular players due to his exceptional skills on the field. His breakout year was in 1981 when he won his first 8 starts, 5 of them being shutouts, and finished with a 13-7 record and a stellar 2.48 ERA. This performance earned him both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards, making him the only player to achieve this feat to date. Fernando’s success on the field was not just limited to individual accolades, as his team, the Dodgers, went on to win the World Series that year.
Guest 2: Absolutely! Fernando’s journey to becoming a professional baseball player was truly remarkable. He played in Mexico for a while before he was noticed by the Dodgers in 1979. Initially signing with them as an amateur free agent, he worked his way up through their minor league system and finally made his MLB debut in 1980. His incredible performances in the 1981 season were nothing short of extraordinary, as he quickly became one of the best pitchers in the league. His success also helped bridge cultural gaps and bring more attention to Mexican baseball players at the time.
Question 2: Can you discuss Fernando Valenzuela’s pitching style and how it contributed to his success on the mound?
Guest 1: Fernando was known for his unique pitching style, as he was one of the few pitchers who consistently threw the ball without a windup. This unconventional style caught opposing batters off-guard and made him extremely effective. Additionally, he had excellent control over his pitches, which allowed him to keep the ball on the ground and prevent big hits by opponents. His ability to throw a variety of pitches, including a screwball, changeup, and slider, added an extra dimension to his arsenal. Fernando’s pitching style was a key factor in his success and helped
