Los Angeles fans are mourning the death of Dodgers star Fernando Valenzuela, a transformative figure in Major League Baseball whose impact resonated deeply with Latinos across the city.
Crowds swarmed Dodger Stadium to bring flowers, candles and even burritos to honor the legendary pitcher. A shrine was also growing in Boyle Heights, where artist Robert Vargas began painting a mural on the day of his death. That mural is set to be unveiled on Nov. 1, coinciding with what would have been Valenzuela’s 64th birthday.
The baseball legend died Tuesday, days before the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Yankees in the World Series.
We asked fans to share what Valenzuela meant to them. Here’s what they said:
“I was so devastated to hear the news. Fernando was an icon to the Mexican American community and our hearts are broken. We were hoping that he would recover to watch the Dodgers win the World Series in his honor,” Laura Blancarte, commented on Facebook.
“I remember watching his [Valenzuela’s] first video of him throwing rocks at cans on a fence…the rest is history,” wrote another Facebook user, Larry L Abellera.
The tribute didn’t stop there as comments on Instagram poured in, giving fans a sense of pride in knowing that Valenzuela’s roots mirrored the community that watched him play.
“Way too young… same age as my mom…? so happy I got to see him play in the 80s with my mom taking the chiquillada n packing the sandweeches…memories he gave us something to look forward in this rat race hustle of LA. We could relate with success, migration, & pride of our roots…he looked like us Mexicanos????Gracias EPD Fernando aka El Toro ??⚾️?” wrote @liliflorart.
“As a youthful Chicano, El Toro was the representation of what could be accomplished in the sports world,” shared @runs_with_coyote.
Armando Felix and Maricela Flemate, a father-daughter duo from Pico Rivera were having lunch Wednesday in Boyle Heights wearing a jersey and shirt emblazoned with Fernando Valenzuela’s image and name. They shared their admiration for a player who left a long-lasting impression on their family.
“Everything happens in this life, but he left a good legacy for the people of Los Angeles. He was the one who united Latinos the most. Unfortunately, he just passed away but he left a legacy and that’s why we are happy,” said Armando.
“The best memory that I have is actually watching the games with my dad. I was 11 years old when Fernando first came into the league and it got me into baseball. He was a great pitcher, and he will be extremely missed,” said Maricela.
He was a great warrior on the mound, giving everything he had often throwing 120 to 140 pitches a game. Great competitor who was a great fielder and a great hitting pitcher. El Toro RIP.