Fernando Valenzuela, an iconic figure in Los Angeles and a standout with the Dodgers during the “Fernandomania” phenomenon, has passed away, as confirmed by the Dodgers on Tuesday. He was 63 years old.

The exact cause of death has not been revealed yet.

Valenzuela was known for his role as a Spanish-language radio announcer for the Dodgers but stepped back from that position before the 2024 postseason to prioritize his health, with hopes of returning for the 2025 season.

A left-handed pitcher from Navojoa, Mexico, Valenzuela’s career began unexpectedly. In 1978, esteemed Dodgers scout Mike Brito was in Silao, Guanajuato, to scout a shortstop named Ali Uscanga. During that game, an unknown Valenzuela came in as a relief pitcher, striking out Uscanga after falling behind 3-0 in the count. Brito later stated that in that moment, he “forgot all about the shortstop.”

The Dodgers signed Valenzuela in 1979, and after some time in the minor leagues, he made his MLB debut the following year. However, it was during the beginning of the 1981 season that he skyrocketed to stardom.

Valenzuela became the Opening Day starter for the Dodgers when Jerry Reuss was injured. In that game against the Houston Astros, he pitched a complete shutout, giving up just five hits and striking out five batters for a 2-0 win.

“It feels like just yesterday when this young, chubby kid started on Opening Day and set the world on fire,” catcher Mike Scioscia reminisced. “What you couldn’t see was the ice running through his veins. He demonstrated just how spectacular and magical everything was.”

That game marked the beginning of an extraordinary season for Valenzuela, as he started with an impressive 8-0 record over his first eight games, all of which were complete games and included five shutouts. His dominance turned him into an instant celebrity, particularly among the city’s large Hispanic community, who passionately supported him and packed Dodger Stadium to see him play, sparking the “Fernandomania” phenomenon.

He wrapped up the season with a record of 13-7 and an ERA of 2.48, winning both the NL Cy Young and NL Rookie of the Year awards—an unprecedented feat—as the Dodgers clinched the 1981 World Series, highlighted by his complete game victory in Game 3 against the New York Yankees.

Known as “El Toro,” Valenzuela became a household name in Los Angeles, continuing to pitch for the Dodgers for another decade. Under the affection of Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, he was selected as an All-Star every year from 1981 to 1986. Although he couldn’t replicate his early stardom later in his career, he delivered one more memorable moment in his final season with the Dodgers.

On June 29, 1990, Scioscia and other Dodgers watched as Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Dave Stewart threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. Valenzuela was slated to pitch that night against the St. Louis Cardinals, and after Stewart’s game, Scioscia recalled that Valenzuela made a bold claim.

“You just saw a no-hitter on TV. Now you’re going to see one in person,” Valenzuela predicted.

This turned out to be prophetic. Valenzuela struck out seven batters and achieved his first no-hitter. After he induced Pedro Guerrero into a game-ending double play, legendary Dodgers commentator Vin Scully delivered one of his classic calls: “If you have a sombrero, toss it in the air!”

Valenzuela spent the next seven years playing for several teams before concluding his MLB career in 1997. Over 17 seasons, he compiled a record of 173 wins and 153 losses with a 3.54 ERA, but during his time with the Dodgers, he had a 141-116 record and a 3.31 ERA, placing him ninth on the franchise’s all-time wins list.

Even with his impressive achievements and the fanbase he helped attract to Dodger Stadium, Valenzuela was not immediately honored with the highest recognition typically bestowed by the team.

To have a jersey number retired, the franchise generally requires the player to have dedicated most of their career to the team and to also be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame—except for one instance involving former player and coach Jim Gilliam in 1978. Valenzuela, however, never reached the Hall of Fame after being on the ballot for two years in 2003-04. Despite this, no Dodgers player wore Valenzuela’s number 34 after he departed from the team.

For many years, Dodgers fans advocated for Valenzuela to be included in the team’s ring of honor, recognizing his impact on the city and fan community, as well as his role in opening the door for Mexican players in the majors. In August 2023, over three decades after his last game for the Dodgers, the organization finally retired his number.

Even though Dodger’s current manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that this honor was “long overdue,” Valenzuela was astonished by the news. His first response upon learning the news was simply, “Really?”

“It truly surprised me. I never imagined it would happen,” Valenzuela remarked.
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However, it is difficult to dispute the impact Valenzuela had on baseball and the significance he holds for numerous Dodgers supporters. For a team known for legends like “Jackie” and “Vin,” “Fernando” is equally revered. It’s common to spot a No. 34 jersey among the fans at Dodger Stadium. As Dodgers radio commentator Charley Steiner noted, Valenzuela “transcends what he did for the Dodgers.”