Fernando Valenzuela, who won the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors in 1981 while leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series championship, has died at the age of 63.
The Dodgers announced the news Tuesday evening just days before they play in the 2024 World Series. The team says Valenzuela died Tuesday night at a Los Angeles hospital but did not provide details.
A Major League pitcher for 17 seasons, the man behind “Fernandomania” started working as a Spanish radio broadcaster for select games in 2003. He’s been a staple of the team’s Spanish radio and television broadcasts ever since, most recently serving as a radio analyst on KTNQ 1020 AM’s Spanish broadcasts of Dodgers games, alongside Pepe Yñiguez and José Mota.
Valenzuela had stepped away from radio broadcasts earlier this month to focus on his health. According to reports, he had recently been hospitalized with an unspecified health issue.
The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. pic.twitter.com/MXeBlDzDWJ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2024
Born in Navojoa, Mexico, Valenzuela was called up by LA late in the 1980 season. The day before the 1981 regular season, Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda named the 20-year-old his Opening Day starter despite never having started an MLB game before. He posted a 2-0 shutout victory that kicked off a season that finished with a 13-7 record, 2.48 ERA, 11 complete games, 8 shutouts, and an MLB-leading 180 strikeouts.
Valenzuela made six consecutive All-Star appearances, won a second World Series in 1988, and took home the Silver Slugger Award in 1981 and 1983. A shoulder injury hampered the back half of his pitching career. Still, he threw a no-hitter in 1990 and finished his MLB career with a 173-153 record, 3.54 ERA, and 2,074 strikeouts in 17 seasons.
While his number had been unofficially retired since the Dodgers let him go in 1991, Valenuela’s No. 34 was officially retired during a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium in 2023.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred called Valenzuela “one of the most impactful players of his generation” in a statement Tuesday
“Fernando was an outstanding ambassador for baseball,” Manfred said. “He consistently supported the growth of the game through the World Baseball Classic and at MLB events across his home country. As a member of the Dodger broadcasting team for more than 20 years, Fernando helped to reach a new generation of fans and cultivate their love of the game.
“Fernando will always remain a beloved figure in Dodger history and a special source of pride for the millions of Latino fans he inspired.”
Manfred added that MLB will “honor Fernando’s memory” during the World Series, which begins on Friday.
