By Megan Garvey/LAist
Originally published on LAist.com
Fernando Valenzuela has died at the age of 63. Valenzuela made a mark as one of the most popular Dodgers of all-time, drawing in Mexican and Mexican American fans who celebrated the pitching star as a transformative figure in Major League Baseball.
“We profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando,” said Stan Kasten, the L.A. Dodgers president and chief executive. Kasten called Valenzuela “one of the most influential Dodgers ever.”
Valenzuela, who’d worked as a Spanish-language Dodgers broadcaster for more than two decades, had announced earlier this month that he’d stepped away from the booth for the remainder of the season to focus on his health.
When they announced Valenzuela was stepping back, the Dodgers did not make clear the nature of his health issues. The team said at the time: “He and his family truly appreciate the love and support of fans as he aims to return for the 2025 season, and they have asked for privacy during this time.”
Valenzuela made his mark as a pitcher, and debuted at 19 on the mound for the Dodgers. He was a storied member of the 1981 Fernandomania season. That year, Valenzuela won the National League rooke of the year honors and the Cy Young award.
Go deeper: ‘Fernandomania’ Returns: The Dodgers are (finally) retiring Fernando Valenzuela’s number
Broadcasting career
Since 2003, Valenzuela had been a beloved broadcaster with the team calling games for the last 21 years. He previously played for the team for 11 years, including as a pitcher for the 1981 team that beat the New York Yankees, who face the Dodgers in the series on Friday for the first time since then.
His background
Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 children, born in Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico.
Within a year of his 1980 Major League debut, Fernandomania set in after he went on to an unprecedented career-opening run, with complete games in his first eight career starts. Five of those games were shutouts and his ERA was a stunningly-low 0.50.
According to the Dodgers, Valenzuela is survived by his wife Linda and four children, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda and Maria Fernanda, and seven grandchildren.
This report is reprinted with permission from Southern California Public Radio. © 2024 Southern California Public Radio. All rights reserved.
