Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, who was one of the most impactful players in franchise and MLB history, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63.
Valenzuela, who captivated the Mexican and Latino communities during his Dodgers career, stepped away from their Spanish-language broadcast booth in late September.
As the Dodgers were entering the final days of the regular season, the team announced Valenzuela would not return to calling games in 2024 due to health reasons.
With the 2024 World Series just days away, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the league will honor the life and legacy of one of the most beloved figures in Dodgers history.
“Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most impactful players of his generation,” Manfred began in his statement. “With his distinctive pitching style, the Dodger left-hander’s rookie season generated so much excitement in the U.S. and his native Mexico that it became commonly referred to as ‘Fernandomania.’
“His 1981 season ranks among the most decorated pitching years of all-time as Fernando was the National League Rookie of the Year, the NL Cy Young Award winner, a Silver Slugger, and a World Series Champion.
“Following his memorable career, Fernando was an outstanding ambassador for baseball. 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.
“We will honor Fernando’s memory during the 2024 World Series at Dodger Stadium. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Fernando’s family, the Dodgers, his friends across the game, and all the loyal baseball fans of Mexico.”
Game 1 of the World Series is on Friday, Oct. 25, at Dodger Stadium. Game 6 of the World Series on Nov. 1, which also takes place at Dodger Stadium, would have marked Valenzuela’s 64th birthday.
During his fist full season pitching for the Dodgers in 1981, Valenzuela became the first player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same year.
Valenzuela pitched in his first World Series during the 1981 season, which fittingly came against the New York Yankees. In that postseason, he went 3-1 with a 2.21 ERA, averaging eight innings per start, capped by a 146-pitch complete game to win Game 3 of the World Series.
Dodgers statement on Fernando Valenzuela
The Dodgers released a statement from team president and CEO Stan Kasten after the passing of Valenzuela.
“On behalf of the Dodger organization, we profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando,” Kasten said. “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. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Linda and his family.”
The Dodgers inducted Valenzuela as part of the inaugural class of the Legends of Dodger Baseball in 2018 and officially retired his number 34 jersey on Aug. 11, 2023.
Valenzuela has been named to numerous Halls of Fame, including the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.
He was very active in supporting various team and Latino initiatives in the community. Valenzuela was honored for his work in Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities Program (RBI) with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Valenzuela is survived by his wife Linda and four children, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda and Maria Fernanda, and seven grandchildren.
Make sure to follow Dodger Blue on Instagram! It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
