Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Dodgers reported this Tuesday the death of their former player Fernando The Bull Valenzuela, one of the great legends of the franchise and Mexican baseball.
“The Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela,” the Major League team said on its X social network account.
The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. pic.twitter.com/MXeBlDzDWJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2024
Valenzuela, 63, was suffering from health problems that forced him to abandon his work as a radio commentator for the Dodgers in October, a team that will begin the World Series against the New York Yankees on Friday.
Photo Ap
The Bull took the Major Leagues by storm in 1981, inspiring the phenomenon known as the Fernandomania and forging a bond between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Mexican fans that still endures.
The legendary pitcher never stopped being one of the most beloved figures of Mexican sports fans and also of the Dodgers.
The popular Los Angeles franchise, which will begin the World Series against the New York Yankees on Friday, established ‘Fernando Valenzuela Day’ on July 6, the date on which he signed his first contract with the team this year. 1979.
Photo taken from X
Born on November 1, 1960, The Bull He was the youngest of 12 siblings from a humble farming family in Etchohuaquila (Sonora).
His professional career began with the Mayos of Navojoa and then he went through the Cafetaleros of Tepic and the Leones of Yucatán.
In 1977 he was discovered by a Dodgers scout, Mike Brito, who that day had come to observe another player, shortstop Ali Uscanga.
Brito forgot his plans and focused on evaluating Valenzuela, who finished his training in the Los Angeles franchise and polished the launch screweball (corkscrew) that would confuse his rivals and lead him to glory.
In 1981, with injuries plaguing the Dodgers’ starting rotation, Valenzuela was called to the mound and stunned with a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros.
In total, the 20-year-old Mexican won his first eight games in the Major Leagues, five by shutout, and the Fernandomania It spread throughout the league, selling out not only Dodger Stadium but many fields throughout the country.
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With the Latino community rallying behind him, Valenzuela was the only player in history to win the Cy Young Award for best pitcher and Rookie of the Year in the same season, in which he led the National League in strikeouts, complete games and innings pitched. That dream debut was the cherry on top of the Dodgers’ victory in the World Series.
In 1986 he became the highest-paid pitcher in the Major Leagues with a contract worth $5.5 million. Just two years later he won his second World Series as a member of the Dodgers, although he was not included in the squad that played in the playoffs.
His production was declining but his talent was still enough to throw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals.
“If you have a hat, throw it in the sky!” Vin Scully, the legendary voice of the Dodgers, demanded of the public.
“No one created more followers”
The Bull He later pitched for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals. His best moment outside of Los Angeles was the 13 wins he achieved in 1996 with the Padres.
A year later he retired from the Major Leagues and never returned to the “big tent” despite receiving an invitation from the Dodgers to attend spring training in 1999.
In his 17-year career in the United States, he was chosen six times for the All-Star Game and had a record of 173 wins and 153 losses.
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In 2004, at the age of 44, he returned to professional baseball with the Águilas de Mexicali, where he remained until December 20, 2006, when he pitched his last professional game.
Later, he continued to maintain ties with baseball in his country and was part of the coaching staff of the Mexican team in multiple World Classics, in addition to purchasing the Tigres de Quintana Roo from the local league in 2017.
The baseball world mourns his death
Fernando Valenzuela’s career in international baseball was so transcendental that after his death a chain reaction was unleashed to mourn the event. The Major Leagues (MLB) were the first to pay tribute to the former pitcher on their social networks.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of former Dodger player Fernando Valenzuela. The Fernandomania took baseball by storm in 1981 when the 20-year-old rookie sensation began the season 8-0 with a 0.50 ERA.
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The left-hander capped his incredible year by winning the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards while helping lead Los Angeles to a World Series title. “He spent the last 22 years as a Spanish-language announcer for the Dodgers, who retired his number 34 in 2023. He was 63 years old,” MLB commented in a statement.
In turn, the Mexican Baseball League spoke out regarding the death of the memorable player. “Fernando Valenzuela: The legend of the man with the corkscrew. The pitcher with the most wins. Rest in Peace.”
The Mexican ARCO League of the Pacific also sent a message of condolences. “A great baseball legend, his legacy will forever remain in our league and in the hearts of the fans.”
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