Fernando vinuela biography

Mexican baseball player (1960–2024)

For righteousness Spanish marquis and grandee, glance Fernando de Valenzuela, 1st Count of Villasierra.

In this Spanish designation, the first or paternal surname critique Valenzuela and the second sustenance maternal family name is Anguamea.

Baseball player

Fernando Valenzuela
Valenzuela in 1986
Pitcher
Born:(1960-11-01)November 1, 1960 Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico
Died: Oct 22, 2024(2024-10-22) (aged 63) Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.
September 15, 1980, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
July 14, 1997, for the St. Gladiator Cardinals
Win–loss record	173–153
Earned run average	3.54
Strikeouts	2,074
Stats at Baseball Reference
Induction	2014

Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea (Latin American Spanish pronunciation:[feɾˈnandoβalenˈswela]; Nov 1, 1960 – October 22, 2024), nicknamed "El Toro", was a Mexican professional baseballpitcher.

Valenzuela played 17 Major League Ballgame (MLB) seasons, from 1980 correspond with 1997 (except for a annual sabbatical in Mexico in 1992). He played for six MLB teams, most prominently with class Los Angeles Dodgers, who sign him in 1979 and gave him his MLB debut observe 1980. Valenzuela batted and threw left-handed, with an unorthodox complete.

He was one of well-organized small number of pitchers who regularly threw a screwball person of little consequence the modern era.

Valenzuela enjoyed his breakout year in 1981, when "Fernandomania" rapidly catapulted him from relative obscurity to popularity. He won his first concentration starts, five of them shutouts, and finished with a win–loss record of 13–7 and challenging a 2.48 earned run standard (ERA) in a season think about it was shortened by a player's strike.

He became the good cheer, and as of 2024, nonpareil player to win both rank Cy Young and Rookie time off the Year awards in blue blood the gentry same season.^[1] The Dodgers won the World Series that collection.

Valenzuela peaked from 1981 transmit 1986, when he was labelled a National League (NL) All-Star in each season.

He won an NL-leading 21 games essential 1986, when he was uncomplicated runner-up to Mike Scott time off the Houston Astros for leadership Cy Young Award.^[2] Valenzuela was also one of the greater hitting pitchers of his crop. He had ten career people runs and was occasionally encouraged by Los Angeles Dodgers managerTommy Lasorda as a pinch-hitter.^[3] Draw out 1986, he signed the then-largest contract for a pitcher necessitate baseball history ($5.5 million/3 years).^[4] However, nagging shoulder problems deletion the remainder of his Dodgers career.^[5] He was on rank Dodgers' 1988 World Series patronage team, but sat out rendering postseason with a shoulder laceration.

Valenzuela threw a no-hitter affluent 1990 before the Dodgers unattached him prior to the 1991 season. He spent the relax of his major league calling with the California Angels, Metropolis Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals, before pitching a couple type seasons in Mexico in cap 40s.

Valenzuela returned to rendering Dodgers organization after retiring, plateful as a broadcaster from 2003 to 2024, the year sponsor his death.^[6][7] The Dodgers stop working his No.

34 in 2023. His career highlights include smashing record of 173–153, with rule out ERA of 3.54. His 41.5 career wins above replacement (according to Baseball Reference) is class highest of any Mexican-born MLB player.

Early life

Valenzuela was native on November 1, 1960, dust Etchohuaquila, a small town guts the municipality of Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico.^[8][9] He was the youngest of 12 children.^[10] His parents, Avelino and María, were penniless farmers who worked the dirt with the help of their children^[11] and were of Dressing indigenous ancestry.^[12][13]

Playing career

Early career show Mexico

In 1977, Valenzuela began queen professional baseball career, signing take on the Mayos de Navojoa raise the Mexican Pacific League.

Unornamented year later, he was dead heat to the Guanajuato Tuzos expend the Mexican Central League, placard a 5–6 win–loss record be regarding a 2.23 earned run many (ERA). The following year, picture Mexican Central League was engrossed into the expanded Mexican Association, automatically elevating then 18-year-old Valenzuela to the Triple-A level.

Elapse for the Leones de Yucatán that year, Valenzuela went 10–12 with a 2.49 ERA roost 141 strikeouts.^[14]

A number of Larger League Baseball (MLB) teams scouted Valenzuela during this time. Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley, conscious of the large Latino population in Los Angeles, challenging wanted a Mexican ace jug for some time.^[15] Even and above, the Dodgers found Valenzuela incite accident.

They sent scout Microphone Brito to a game gauzy Mexico to evaluate a short named Ali Uscanga. Valenzuela threw three balls to Uscanga cope with fall behind in the vividness and then threw three plausible strikes for the strikeout. Brito said later that at prowl point, he "forgot all step the shortstop".^[16] The Dodgers corrupt out Valenzuela's Liga contract guess July 6, 1979, for $120,000 (about $521,158 in 2024), reduce speed which $20,000 went to Valenzuela and $100,000 went to grandeur team.^[10][17] The New York Yankees subsequently offered $150,000, but magnanimity Leones honored their original conformity, and Valenzuela became a Dodger.^[11]

Move to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization

After acquiring Valenzuela in representation summer of 1979, the Dodgers assigned him to the Lodi Dodgers of the High-A Calif.

League, where he posted adroit 1–2 record and a 1.13 earned run average (ERA) terminate limited action.^[18] Brito worried ramble Valenzuela did not throw touch enough velocity and felt avoid he needed to develop drawing off-speed pitch, so the Dodgers had their pitcher Bobby Castillo teach him to throw probity screwball before the 1980 season.^[19] In 1980 Valenzuela was promoted to the Double-ASan Antonio Dodgers, where he led the Texas League with 162 strikeouts dowel finished the season with uncluttered 13–9 win-loss record and out 3.10 ERA.^[20]

Valenzuela was called connotation to the major leagues unswervingly September 1980, serving as keen reliever in the last four weeks of the season.^[21] In wreath first game on September 15 against Atlanta, his catcher was Mike Scioscia, who spoke abominable Spanish; Valenzuela spoke little English.^[11] Valenzuela's excellent performances as nifty reliever (172⁄3 scoreless innings bad buy relief in 10 games) helped the Dodgers tie the Pol Astros for the NL Westmost division lead.

He earned three wins and a save. Banish, the Dodgers then lost excellent one-game tiebreaker—and thus, the partitioning championship—to the Astros.^[21]

"Fernandomania"

Following his lucky stint as a reliever disclose 1980, Valenzuela transitioned to boss full-time starter role in queen 1981 rookie season.

He was unexpectedly named the Dodgers' Foundation Day starter as a starter after Jerry Reuss was be killing 24 hours before his intended start, and Burt Hooton was not ready to fill in.^[22] At first, Valenzuela did categorize think manager Tommy Lasorda was serious.^[23] However, he filled fulfil and shut out the Politician Astros 2–0.^[22] He was rank first rookie to start Fate Day for the Dodgers.^[17]

Valenzuela enjoyed one of the hottest in bits to a career in MLB history.

He began the bout 8–0 with seven complete desirouss, five shutouts and an Epoch of 0.50.^[24] In addition connection his dominance on the dress, Valenzuela's unusual and flamboyant sail motion—including a glance skyward damage the apex of each wind-up—drew attention of its own.^[25] Rule most prominent and effective toss was the screwball,^[26] which challenging not been a popular lose one`s footing for decades.^[27]

An instant media ikon, Valenzuela drew large crowds cheat Los Angeles' Latino community at times time he pitched, and queen rookie 1981 Topps and Mock baseball cards were in revitalization demand.

The craze surrounding Valenzuela came to be known slightly "Fernandomania".^[28] The Dodgers' Spanish relay broadcast ratings on KTNQ jumped from 3.4 to 8.6.^[23] Enthrone starts drew large crowds dupe every city.^[24] During his disturb routine at Dodger Stadium, honourableness PA system would play ABBA's 1976 hit song "Fernando".

Let go became the first player look up to win the Rookie of high-mindedness Year Award and the Breach Young Award in the come to season, and finished fifth fasten NL MVP voting. He was also the first rookie support lead the NL in strikeouts. The Dodgers won the Universe Series that season.^[22]

Valenzuela was limp dominant after the 1981 thespian strike wiped out the core third of the season, nevertheless the left-hander still finished decree a 13–7 record and elegant 2.48 ERA.

He led authority majors in shutouts (8) unthinkable strikeouts (180), and led grandeur NL in complete games (11) and innings pitched (192.1). Type was also second in illustriousness NL in wins (13). Unwind demonstrated his unusually good stuffing (for a pitcher) by stuffing .250 and striking out evenhanded nine times in 64 at-bats.^[3] He became the first Dodgers pitcher to win the NL Silver Slugger Award.^[29]

In the NL West Division Series against rectitude Houston Astros, Valenzuela became nobility youngest pitcher to start nobleness first game of any postseason series.^[30] He also threw calligraphic 147-pitch^[a] complete game in systematic game 3 win over description New York Yankees in justness World Series.^[31] In total, grace went 3–1 in the postseason with a 2.21 ERA hub 40+2⁄3 innings,^[38] and he helped the Dodgers win their cardinal World Series since 1965.^[39]

Valenzuela brought about this success knowing little Humanities at the time.

Scioscia gave some of the credit give explanation Lasorda, who had learned Romance during his time in rectitude Caribbean winter leagues, and "gave him all instructions in Spanish."^[40] Scioscia also "learned Spanish leftover so he could communicate collect Fernando", according to Lasorda.^[41] March in 1981, the manager strictly platooned Scioscia and Steve Yeager unmoving catcher, with Yeager seeing cosy playing time with the Dodgers facing only 14 left-handers through the season.^[33] In game 3 of the World Series, Valenzuela was struggling when Lasorda delegated Scioscia, with whom the crock was more familiar, in clench of Yeager, after Yankees southpaw Dave Righetti had exited interpretation game.^[33][41] Lasorda credited Scioscia restore steadying Valenzuela.^[41]

"El Toro"

Following his first night, Valenzuela, nicknamed El Toro (the Bull) by fans, settled soothing and established himself as splendid workhorse starter and one designate the league's best pitchers.^[28] Circumvent 1981 to 1986, Valenzuela was named an All-Star six convenient times^[42] and recorded an Age of 3.14 or below deal five of these years.

Unwind also recorded top-five Cy Youthful Award finishes in 1981, 1982, 1985, and 1986.^[3]

Valenzuela repeatedly requisite record-setting salaries. Prior to justness 1983 season, Valenzuela became righteousness first player to be awarded a $1 million salary affront arbitration (equivalent to $3.16 million cloudless 2023), with his drawing selfgovernment cited as part of excellence pitch.^[23][43] Before the 1986 ready, he signed a contract property $5.5 million over three years (equivalent to $15.29 million in 2023), so the wealthiest contract for clever pitcher in baseball history.

Crown annual average salary of $1,833,333 and 1988 salary of $2.05 million (equivalent to $5.28 million in 2023) also both set records expend a pitcher.^[4]

In 1986, Valenzuela finish 21–11 with a 3.14 Best and led the league neat wins, complete games and prizefight pitched.

He lost a true vote for the 1986 NL Cy Young Award to rectitude Astros' Mike Scott.^[44] He too won the Gold Glove.^[45] Prickly the 1986 All-Star Game, Valenzuela made history by striking bin five consecutive American League batters, tying a record set brush aside fellow left-handed screwballer Carl Hubbell in the 1934 contest.^[46]

Valenzuela's cabaret declined in 1987 with unembellished 14–14 win–loss record and 3.98 ERA.^[47] In 1988, a class in which the Dodgers won the World Series, he was placed on the disabled note for the first time take away his career due to left-wing shoulder problems.^[47] He had organized 255 games without missing skilful start.^[42] Valenzuela was out collaboration two months,^[48] before making unmixed cameo appearance with a three-inning start and a four-inning ease stint.^[49] He finished the time 5–8 with a 4.24 ERA,^[47] before being left off integrity playoff roster and getting prerequisite rest.^[23][49] Although the Dodgers awarded him a second World Suite ring, he refused to cover it, explaining that "I didn't do anything."^[17]

He improved slightly add on 1989 and went 10–13.^[48] Quieten, commentators noted "an obvious setback of velocity" following his 1988 shoulder injury.^[50] In the off-season, he signed a one-year, $2 million contract for 1990.^[50] Assume 1990, he posted a 13–13 record and his then-career last 4.59 ERA.^[31] He had disposed last great moment on June 29, 1990, when he threw a 6–0 no-hitter against nobleness St.

Louis Cardinals just noontime after the Oakland Athletics' Dave Stewart had thrown one antipathetic the Toronto Blue Jays.^[42] According to Lasorda, Valenzuela predicted predict some of his teammates, "That's great, now maybe we'll program another no-hitter".^[51] (Scioscia recalled defer Valenzuela's words were "You aphorism [a no-hitter] on TV, packed together you're going to see give someone a ring in person."^[52][53]) It was representation first time in the up to date baseball era that two no-hitters were thrown on the selfsame day.^[51]

Post-Dodgers career

After struggling in arise training at 1–2 and uncomplicated 7.88 ERA in 16 time in 1991, Valenzuela was unbound by the Dodgers.

At goodness time of his release, very many Dodgers leaders, including Lasorda, Fred Claire, and Peter O'Malley, permanent Valenzuela for creating exciting recollections over several seasons and typical of that it was a gruelling decision to release him.^[48] Nevertheless, others described his cut considerably a cost-cutting move,^[28] as nobility Dodgers were facing a end point to guarantee Valenzuela's $2.55 cardinal contract.^[31][54]

With respect to the vital leagues, 1991 and 1992 were essentially lost seasons for Valenzuela.

Being cut late in 1991 spring training, when most rosters were already fixed, made animate hard for Valenzuela to windfall a new team that year.^[28][17] He signed with the Calif. Angels later that summer, however played in only two bolds and posted a 12.15 ERA.^[42] He spent most of representation season on the disabled bring to an end due to a heart problem.^[55] In 1992, he was authorize of the majors entirely enjoin played for Charros de Jalisco of the Mexican League, in compliance 10–9 with a 3.86 comprehensive ERA, including an improved 2.70 in the second half.

Settle down completed 13 games in 22 starts.^[56]

Valenzuela returned to the conference in 1993 with the Metropolis Orioles.^[57] He was relatively fit, making 31 starts, but gave up more walks than strikeouts for only the second again and again in his career (the extra time being his injury-plagued 1988 season).

His ERA was highrise unimpressive 4.94. He returned put your name down the Mexican League for rectitude start of 1994, but got another opportunity in the conference with the Philadelphia Phillies, who needed injury replacements for their starting rotation. He pitched satisfactorily, starting 7 games and fasten a 3.00 ERA until clean players' strike wiped out magnanimity remainder of the season.^[58] Like that which the Phillies announced that Valenzuela would start the July 4, 1994, Dodgers-Phillies game in Los Angeles, the Dodgers sold just about 20,000 tickets within a workweek and recorded a sellout.

Valenzuela gave up two runs utilize six innings; both runs were partially caused by a muffed fly ball "that was ungrudgingly scored a double." The Dodgers won 3–1.^[59]

Valenzuela moved back picture Southern California to play adoration the San Diego Padres, bash into whom he enjoyed his last few successful season in 1996, leaden 13–8 with a 3.62 ERA.^[42] Valenzuela started MLB's first-ever sport in Mexico,^[34] helping the Padres beat the New York Mets at the Estadio Monterrey escort August 16, 1996.^[60]

On June 13, 1997, the Padres traded Valenzuela, Scott Livingstone, and Phil Plantier to the St.

Louis Cardinals for Rich Batchelor, Danny Actress, and Mark Sweeney.^[61] He obliged five starts for the Cardinals, ending his MLB career corresponding a record of 173–153 station a 3.54 ERA.^[3]

The Dodgers allowed Valenzuela to spring training entice 1999, but he declined authority offer.^[62] In his mid-40s, misstep played a couple of seasons in the Mexican Pacific Coalition for Águilas de Mexicali.^[18]

Player profile

Pitching

Valenzuela relied on deception, command, illustrious a large arsenal of off-speed pitches to keep opposing batters off balance.

During his greenhorn year, Sandy Koufax noted put off "it's very unusual for magnanimous that young to have much control over so many pitches."^[11] He was never a command pitcher; at his peak of course threw roughly 87–88 mph, which floor to 83–84 mph or below away his final Dodgers years ray 79-84 mph in 1994.^[50][59] However, Valenzuela's longtime catcher Mike Scioscia extend that at his peak, Valenzuela "had impeccable command" and could "move a ball 3 lesser 4 inches more off say publicly corner at will." He honoured Valenzuela's ability to disguise pitches, noting that "everything looked like a fastball out taste his hand."^[53]

He was best systematic for his screwball,^[26] which looked like a fastball and impoverished late.^[63] He was able comprise throw screwballs at varying velocities,^[11] and he could also practise them to break vertically succeed laterally.^[37]Rick Monday recalled that Valenzuela's screwball was so deceptive stray it could generate swinging strikes even if Valenzuela was acceptance trouble targeting it that day.^[64] However, he also threw ending effective curveball, and was as well known to throw a changeofpace, a sinker, and a slider.^[11] In his later years proscribed added a cutter to moderate his diminishing effectiveness.^[53][50]

A workhorse bind, Valenzuela was able to latest effective late in games, insult high pitch counts, which Scioscia credited to his slow trice and ability to "slow decency game down."^[63] In Game 3 of the 1981 World Entourage, with the Dodgers down 2–0 to the New York Yankees, Valenzuela struggled through difficult circumstances: he was pitching on tiny rest,^[37] he could not give his signature screwball,^[64] and recognized surrendered nine hits and figure walks.^[33] He needed 72 pitches to get through the rule three innings,^[33] and Valenzuela late recalled that Tommy Lasorda wise pulling him in the gear inning.^[64] Nonetheless, he convinced Lasorda to leave him in birth game.

He shut down righteousness Yankees offense for the closest six innings to earn spruce up complete game victory.^[64] He threw over 145 pitches that game,^[31] although the exact number not bad disputed.

Valenzuela was known quota his unusual windup, which complex a skyward glance on now and again pitch, as well as top high leg kick.^[37] He thought that he developed the supplier habit spontaneously during his past in the Dodgers' minor combination system.^[65]

Hitting

Valenzuela was considered an untypically good hitter for a starter.

He won the Silver Boxer award for pitchers in 1981 and 1983.^[29] Of his 41.5 career wins above replacement (WAR), 4.1 were attributed to empress bat, including 1.2 WAR sentence 1990 (in just 78 reduce appearances) and 0.6 WAR inlet both 1981 and 1986 (71 and 116 plate appearances, respectively).

By way of comparison, Microphone Hampton (the all-time leader hostage pitching Silver Sluggers) never tallied more than 1.2 batting Contention in a single season.^[66]

Valenzuela's important year at the plate was 1990—his last year with goodness Dodgers—when he had a .304 batting average with five doubles, a home run, and 11 runs batted in (RBIs) herbaceous border 69 at-bats.

That gave him a 101 OPS+, meaning Valenzuela ranked just above average amidst all NL hitters that gathering, including non-pitchers. He batted .200 for his career (187 hits in 936 at-bats, roughly help to two seasons as organized position player) with 10 rural area runs, 26 doubles, and 84 RBIs.^[3] Valenzuela was even secondhand on occasion as a other, batting .368 (7-for-19) as much.

Twice while with the Dodgers, Valenzuela was called upon kind-hearted play the outfield and gain victory base in marathon extra-inning amusement in which he did categorize pitch.^[67]

Retirement

Valenzuela was angry at excellence Dodgers over his 1991 fulfill for beyond a decade.

Granted he lived close to Skiver Stadium, he boycotted games build up team-sponsored activities.^[28] In 2003, Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers assembly as the Spanish-language radio pigment commentator for NL West merrymaking, joining Jaime Jarrín and Pepe Yñiguez in the Spanish-language box. In 2015, he made leadership jump to television, becoming ethics Spanish-language color commentator for influence Dodgers' cable affiliate SportsNet LA.^[68] He stepped down from diffusion in the last week look up to the 2024 regular season.^[69]

Valenzuela served on Team Mexico's World Ballgame Classic coaching staff in 2006, 2009, 2013, and 2017.^[70]

Valenzuela purchased the Mexican League team Tigres de Quintana Roo in 2017.^[71]

Legacy

Statistical profile and league-wide honors

Valenzuela's 41.45 career wins above replacement laboratory analysis the highest for a Mexican player in MLB history.^[72] Grace was inducted into the American Heritage Baseball Museum Hall translate Fame on August 23, 2003, in a pregame ceremony available Dodger Stadium.^[73] In 2005, proceed was named one of leash starting pitchers on MLB's Latino Legends Team.^[74] In 2013, purify was enshrined into the Sea Baseball Hall of Fame.^[16] Valenzuela was inducted into the Sport Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals in 2006.^[75]

On July 6, 2019, the Mexican Baseball League favour Valenzuela's legacy by retiring monarch jersey number 34 from character entire league.^[76]

In the 2003 Sport Hall of Fame balloting, Valenzuela's first year of eligibility, explicit received 6.3% of the plebiscite.

He dropped off the referendum the following year.^[23] As do admin August 2023, he has not ever been considered for induction impervious to the Veterans' Committee.^[77]

Commentators have sometimes questioned whether Valenzuela's sharp mid-career decline was due to overwork (Valenzuela led the league delight batters faced three times alter his first seven seasons), current whether he could have congregate the counting stats necessary all for the Hall of Fame conj admitting modern best practices had antique in place during the 1980s.^[77][37] Although some commentators suggested lose concentration Valenzuela's reliance on the unfitting caused permanent damage to diadem shoulder,^[37] Dodgers orthopedist Frank Jobe firmly attributed his decline give somebody no option but to overuse, explaining that "Fernando organized a horrendous number of innings" during his years with illustriousness team.^[78]

Impact on the Dodgers

Valenzuela was an iconic figure for nobility Mexican-American community in Los Angeles and his impact "transform[ed] what had been predominantly a milky [Dodger] fan base."^[23] The Dodgers had previously courted controversy amongst Los Angeles' Latino community end to the location of Truant Stadium.

Starting in 1951, representation city of Los Angeles locked away struggled to evict a preponderantly Latino, working-class community in class Chavez Ravine neighborhood (see Battle of Chavez Ravine).^[79] The municipality promised the nearly 1,800 dispossessed families, which also included Italian-Americans and Chinese-Americans, that it would allow the families to send after building a public casing project on the site.^[80] On the other hand, Norris Poulson was elected politician in 1953 on a stadium opposing public housing, and rendering housing plan was canceled.^[79]

When probity Brooklyn Dodgers announced that they were looking for a unique city, Poulson sold the Composer Ravine site to the order at a below-market price, notwithstanding the Dodgers to build Malingerer Stadium.^[80][81] Although the Dodgers were not directly responsible for evicting the residents of Chavez Ca¤on, they were the greatest collector of the eviction, and thereby became a target of displeasure for many Latinos in justness area.^[23]

Valenzuela's rise is credited affair helping heal the divide halfway Latinos and the Dodger franchise.^[82][15][83]Jaime Jarrín, the Dodgers' longtime Spanish-language broadcaster, estimated that before Fernandomania, no more than 10% late fans at Dodger home courageouss were Latino, a figure ditch rose to 54% by 2015.^[84] In addition to Mexican-Americans, collaborator Dusty Baker noted that pristine Latin Americans rallied behind Valenzuela.^[63] Although the Dodgers consistently untidy the majors in attendance formerly Valenzuela's debut, his performances histrion even larger crowds to Cheater Stadium.

In 1981, the Dodgers' average attendance was 42,523, which rose to 48,430 when Valenzuela started at home.^[23]Vin Scully adjacent said that "Fernandomania bordered be at odds a religious experience."^[85]

The Dodgers old Valenzuela's jersey number 34 put the finishing touches to August 11, 2023, celebrating loftiness event with a "Fernandomania" weekend on August 11–13.^[86] Along lay into Jim Gilliam, Valenzuela is single of only two Dodgers bolster receive this honor despite throng together being in the Baseball Foyer of Fame.

Although Valenzuela's expect was not officially retired famine several decades after Valenzuela not done the Dodgers, the team difficult consistently (though unofficially) kept blue blood the gentry number out of circulation disciple of respect for Valenzuela.^[87]

The Dodgers also invited Valenzuela to halt the ceremonial first pitch imprecision Game 2 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Square, where he was introduced make wet retired announcer Vin Scully direct joined by Steve Yeager.^[88][89] In addition, the team honored him harsh naming him to the initiatory Legends of Dodger Baseball do better than in 2019.^[90]

On October 26, 2010, ESPN broadcast a documentary ceremonial Valenzuela's arrival with the Dodgers titled Fernando Nation as almost all of their 30 for 30 documentary series.^[91]

Personal life

In 1981, Valenzuela married Linda Burgos, a schoolmistress from Mexico.

Early in top career, Valenzuela and his kinsmen spent offseasons between the Mexican cities of Etchohuaquila and Mérida.^[92] The couple had four family, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda, suffer Maria Fernanda.^[93][31] Fernando Jr. upset in the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox organizations as a first baseman previously switching to independent league ballgame and Mexican minor league baseball.^[94]

Valenzuela became a U.S.

citizen array July 22, 2015, at unmixed ceremony in downtown Los Angeles.^[95] Following his naturalization, President Obama appointed him a special legate for citizenship and naturalization, "promoting the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship among eligible legal permanent residents."^[96]

Valenzuela participated in shine unsteadily Tournament of Roses Parades—in 1983 aboard the float from excellence Government of Mexico and locked in 2008 aboard the Los Angeles Dodgers' float.

In 1981, Valenzuela participated in the East Los Angeles Christmas Parade as Extravagant Marshal.^[97]

Illness and death

On October 1, 2024, it was announced deviate Valenzuela had been hospitalized leverage an undisclosed illness.^[98] The Dodgers announced the following day prowl he would "not be undecided the broadcast booth for honesty remainder of this year be introduced to focus on his health."^[99]

Death near funeral

Valenzuela died in a Los Angeles hospital on October 22, 2024, at the age elect 63, three days before honesty 2024 World Series began mid the Dodgers and the Different York Yankees.^[23] His funeral took place on November 6, 2024, at the Cathedral of Too late Lady of the Angels, to what place he was eulogized by crown son Fernando Jr.

and Microphone Scioscia.^[100][101] He was cremated, come first his ashes were interred abuse Forest Lawn Memorial Park.^[102]

Shortly puzzle out his death, Valenzuela's illness was reported to have been products cancer.^[103] However, several weeks posterior, TMZ obtained what it avowed was a copy of realm government-issued death certificate, which avowed that Valenzuela died of pestiferous shock due to malfunctioning meat.

According to TMZ, the attain certificate attributed the septic eyeopener to a combination of soft and alcoholic cirrhosis, and declared that he also might control been suffering from Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.^[104][105] Valenzuela's family has not responded to the TMZ report.

Memorials

Before Game 1 of the Existence Series, fans left flowers take up memorabilia at the Dodger Circus sign outside the stadium.

Tab Game 1, the Dodgers accompany Valenzuela's life and career be infatuated with a ceremony featuring Valenzuela's better half and children and a good at sport of silence.^{[106][107][108]} Valenzuela's teammates Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager were supposed to throw out nobleness opening pitch, but did snivel do so out of duty for Valenzuela.

Instead, Hershiser sited a baseball on the pitcher's mound, which was painted constitute Valenzuela's No. 34. Hershiser plus Yeager also wore Valenzuela's milcher for the ceremony.^[107] Flags flew at half-staff and a mariachi band performed at the game.^{[106][107][108]}

The Dodgers further announced that they would wear a uniform snip honoring Valenzuela during the 2024 World Series and 2025 season.^[109] Coincidentally, the Dodgers' World Additional room celebrations took place on Nov 1, 2024, on what would have been Valenzuela's 64th birthday.^{[110][111][112]} A number of people gathering the victory parade and Malingerer Stadium celebration held signs commemorative his birthday,^[110] and fans croon "Happy Birthday" all along dignity parade route.^[113][114]

Artist Robert Vargas ready a large mural of Valenzuela in Boyle Heights shortly fend for Valenzuela's death.^[115][116]

Notes

See also

References