As the teams are preparing for the 2024 World Series, the news came down that one of the greatest pitchers to come out of Major League Baseball, Fernando Valenzuela has died.

A Mexican born phenom, a young Fernando, barely out of his teens, took Dodger town by storm and went on to win the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young for the National League’s best pitcher in 1981 – the only pitcher to do so.  He signed with the Dodgers in 1979 at the age of 18 and made his Dodgers debut in 1980 as a relief pitcher.

Valenzuela died in a Los Angeles hospital on October 22, 2024 at the age of 63.  An official cause of death was not revealed.

MLB Commissioner  Rob Manfred said that Valenzuela would be honoured during the games at Dodger Stadium when the Los Angeles team plays the New York Yankees in the World Series set to begin on October 25.

After ending his career as a pitcher, Valenzuela went on to work as a broadcaster for the Spanish language broadcasts of the Dodger games.

While he won the Cy Young Award and has several artifacts at the Baseball Hall of Fame, Valenzuela has never been elected into The Hall but is a member of the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame and is a part of the Dodgers Ring of Honor.

Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten spoke on Valenzuela saying, “he is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes.  He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon.”

During a press conference, new Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum spoke on Fernando Valenzuela saying, “I think we, all Mexicans, are sad for the Valenzuela loss, and we express our solidarity with his family,”

Batters for the home team have a “walk up song” when they come to bat; Valenzuela had a “warm-up song”, the ABBA hit “Fernando”.

After being released by the Dodgers in 1991, Valenzuela also pitched for the then California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals before retiring from Major League Baseball in 1997.  He went on to play for the Águilas de Mexicali until 2006 where he retired at the age of 44.

Valenzuela was a part of the coaching staff for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea was born on November 11,1960 in Sonora, Mexico in the small town of Etchohuaquila, the youngest of 12 children.  He would follow his older brothers when they played baseball; which led to his signing a professional contract when he was just 16 years old.

After an impressive rookie year that included eleven complete games, had 25 starts, three 190 1/3 innings, threw 180 strikeouts, and had eight shutouts.

In an era when starting pitchers barely make it out of the fifth inning, Valenzuela’s 113 career complete games are an impressive mark.  Along with his Cy Young Award; Valenzuela earned two silver slugger and one gold glove awards.

On June 29, 1990, Valenzuela threw his first no-hitter in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  In the 6-0 win, he has seven strikeouts and three walks.

Valenzuela is survived by his wife of over 40 years Linda and their four children – Fernando Jr, Rickly, Linda, and Maria; and seven grandchildren.