Who was Fernando Valenzuela? The Mexican pitcher who broke records in the MLB

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El Heraldo de México

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Publicado: 23/10/2024 · 11:35 a.m. MX | Actualizado: 23/10/2024 · 11:35 a.m. MX

Fernando Valenzuela, one of the greatest Mexican baseball players of all time, died this Tuesday, October 22, 2022 at night. The news was released through the social networks of the Dodgers, the team he defended during his time in the major leagues.

Recently, they announced that the baseball player was hospitalized in an emergency at a medical center in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 63 a few weeks after he entered the hospital. It has been reported that he suffered from liver complications, which led to multi-organ failure.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela,” they wrote on Major League Baseball’s official social media along with an emotional summary of his career.

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Who was Fernando Valenzuela?

Fernando Valenzuela, the “Mexican Bull,” left an indelible mark on baseball, especially in the 1980s. His rise to fame was meteoric. He debuted in the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1980, and quickly became a sensation. His signature pitching style, combined with a charismatic personality, captivated fans in both the United States and Mexico.

Fernando Valenzuela was born in Navojoa, Sonora, and began playing the sport at a young age. In his community, most children or young people were part of this sport. Since then he played as a right fielder, but one day he decided to try out as a pitcher, and he stayed in that position, standing out for life.

He played for the Cafeteros de Tepic in the Northwest winter league, with the Tuzos de Silao in the Central League of Mexico, then he moved to the Mexican Baseball League professionally. He played with the Ángeles de Puebla, with the Leones de Yucatán and finally with the Charros de Jalisco in the nineties.

But his first season was with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the major leagues. He arrived in 1979, but he came to prepare in Class A. Two years later, in 1981, he managed to reach the first team thanks to his manager and close friend, Tommy Lasorda, who at that time was the team manager.

Fernando Valenzuela in the Major Leagues

The 1981 season was the peak of his career. Valenzuela won the Cy Young Award and the Rookie of the Year Award, an unprecedented achievement. His dominance on the mound led the Dodgers to a World Series win and sparked “Fernandomania,” a phenomenon that transcended the sport. His impact was such that it united two cultures, Mexican and American.

Today, Valenzuela belongs to the Hispanic Baseball Heritage Hall of Fame Museum, the Latin Baseball Hall of Fame, the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame, the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame, the California Hall of Fame, and the Dodgers retired the number 34 from their lineup.

Throughout his career, Valenzuela represented Mexico with pride. His success inspired a new generation of Mexican baseball players and proved that Latinos could excel in Major League Baseball. However, like all athletes, he faced ups and downs. Injuries and changes in his playing style affected his performance in later years.

Despite these challenges, Valenzuela left a lasting legacy. His numbers speak for themselves: multiple All-Star selections, World Series titles, and a place in the hearts of baseball fans. His impact on the sport goes beyond statistics, as he became a symbol of the diversity and passion that characterizes baseball.

After his retirement as an active player, Valenzuela has remained involved in the world of baseball. He has been a sportscaster, coach, and ambassador for the sport. His influence continues to inspire new generations, and his name will always be remembered as one of the greats of the sport.

Nota publicada originalmente en el Heraldo de México

El Heraldo de México