One of the most unlikely success stories in MLB history, Fernando Valenzuela rose from humble beginnings on a farm in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico to superstardom.
Valenzuela was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Opening Day starter for the 1981 campaign & began one of the most impressive rookie seasons for a Pitcher.
“Fernandomania” took over Los Angeles that year & the crafty, screwball-throwing lefty made the All-Star team, won the NL Rookie of the Year award and the NL Cy Young award. He helped the Dodgers beat the Astros & the Expos in the postseason, then won Game 3 of the World Series to help the Dodgers capture a World Series title!
One of the league’s most dominant pitchers during the 1980s, Valenzuela made the All-Star team the next five seasons (1982-1986) and was consistently pitching the Dodgers into the postseason. And in 1990, he threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Sadly, the hefty amount of innings pitched during his early years led to injury problems and an exit with the Dodgers in 1991. Fernando, however, had a solid second act in 1995 and 1996 with the San Diego Padres. Not only did he help the Friars capture the NL West title in 1996, he started for San Diego in the first MLB regular season game played in Mexico that season.
Fernando was even a threat in the field (1986 Gold Glove) and at the plate (1981 & 1983 Silver Slugger. Most of all he was a hero to the Hispanic community of Los Angeles who came out in droves to watch him pitch during his career.
Overall, Valenzuela finished his MLB career with a 173-153 record, a 3.54 ERA, 2,074 Strikeouts and was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014.
Eventually, Valenzuela began doing Spanish-speaking broadcasts for the Dodgers in 2003. He remained in that role until 2024 when he passed away October 22, 2024.
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