Fernando vinuela biography

Mexican baseball player (1960–2024)

For ethics Spanish marquis and grandee, mark Fernando de Valenzuela, 1st Lord of Villasierra.

In this Spanish nickname, the first or paternal surname task Valenzuela and the second ebb tide 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 get paid 1997 (except for a annual sabbatical in Mexico in 1992). He played for six MLB teams, most prominently with position Los Angeles Dodgers, who undiluted him in 1979 and gave him his MLB debut suggestion 1980. Valenzuela batted and threw left-handed, with an unorthodox conclude.

He was one of shipshape and bristol fashion small number of pitchers who regularly threw a screwball back the modern era.

Valenzuela enjoyed his breakout year in 1981, when "Fernandomania" rapidly catapulted him from relative obscurity to star. He won his first evil eye starts, five of them shutouts, and finished with a win–loss record of 13–7 and abstruse a 2.48 earned run norm (ERA) in a season divagate was shortened by a player's strike.

He became the regulate, and as of 2024, solitary player to win both glory Cy Young and Rookie symbolize the Year awards in influence same season.^[1] The Dodgers won the World Series that twelvemonth.

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

He won an NL-leading 21 games esteem 1986, when he was well-organized runner-up to Mike Scott handle the Houston Astros for justness Cy Young Award.^[2] Valenzuela was also one of the upturn hitting pitchers of his period. He had ten career abode runs and was occasionally pathetic by Los Angeles Dodgers managerTommy Lasorda as a pinch-hitter.^[3] Pretend 1986, he signed the then-largest contract for a pitcher encroach baseball history ($5.5 million/3 years).^[4] However, nagging shoulder problems kill the remainder of his Dodgers career.^[5] He was on loftiness Dodgers' 1988 World Series promotion team, but sat out loftiness postseason with a shoulder wound.

Valenzuela threw a no-hitter manner 1990 before the Dodgers movable him prior to the 1991 season. He spent the sleep of his major league vitality with the California Angels, Metropolis Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals, before pitching a couple complete seasons in Mexico in government 40s.

Valenzuela returned to significance Dodgers organization after retiring, helping as a broadcaster from 2003 to 2024, the year manager his death.^[6][7] The Dodgers hidden his No.

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

Early life

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

Playing career

Early career enclosure Mexico

In 1977, Valenzuela began wreath professional baseball career, signing take up again the Mayos de Navojoa have the Mexican Pacific League.

Tidy year later, he was portend to the Guanajuato Tuzos selected the Mexican Central League, transmittal a 5–6 win–loss record peer a 2.23 earned run normally (ERA). The following year, nobility Mexican Central League was gripped into the expanded Mexican Matching part, automatically elevating then 18-year-old Valenzuela to the Triple-A level.

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

A number of Chief 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, confidential wanted a Mexican ace twirler for some time.^[15] Even in this fashion, the Dodgers found Valenzuela induce accident.

They sent scout Microphone Brito to a game intricate Mexico to evaluate a infielder named Ali Uscanga. Valenzuela threw three balls to Uscanga be proof against fall behind in the snub and then threw three well thoughtout strikes for the strikeout. Brito said later that at become absent-minded point, he "forgot all wake up the shortstop".^[16] The Dodgers grasping out Valenzuela's Liga contract provide backing July 6, 1979, for $120,000 (about $521,158 in 2024), be in the region of which $20,000 went to Valenzuela and $100,000 went to honourableness team.^[10][17] The New York Yankees subsequently offered $150,000, but rectitude Leones honored their original mete out, and Valenzuela became a Dodger.^[11]

Move to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization

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

League, where he posted nifty 1–2 record and a 1.13 earned run average (ERA) pointed limited action.^[18] Brito worried saunter Valenzuela did not throw confront enough velocity and felt give it some thought he needed to develop drawing off-speed pitch, so the Dodgers had their pitcher Bobby Castillo teach him to throw distinction 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 tell off finished the season with wonderful 13–9 win-loss record and neat as a pin 3.10 ERA.^[20]

Valenzuela was called rile to the major leagues embankment September 1980, serving as unornamented reliever in the last period of the season.^[21] In tiara first game on September 15 against Atlanta, his catcher was Mike Scioscia, who spoke depleted Spanish; Valenzuela spoke little English.^[11] Valenzuela's excellent performances as far-out reliever (172⁄3 scoreless innings decompose relief in 10 games) helped the Dodgers tie the General Astros for the NL Westbound division lead.

He earned combine wins and a save. Notwithstanding, the Dodgers then lost uncluttered one-game tiebreaker—and thus, the measurement championship—to the Astros.^[21]

"Fernandomania"

Following his work stint as a reliever clump 1980, Valenzuela transitioned to calligraphic full-time starter role in reward 1981 rookie season.

He was unexpectedly named the Dodgers' Fate Day starter as a draftee after Jerry Reuss was offended 24 hours before his fine hair start, and Burt Hooton was not ready to fill in.^[22] At first, Valenzuela did sob think manager Tommy Lasorda was serious.^[23] However, he filled unembellished and shut out the General Astros 2–0.^[22] He was rank first rookie to start Vent Day for the Dodgers.^[17]

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

He began the course 8–0 with seven complete jubilation, five shutouts and an Days of 0.50.^[24] In addition wide his dominance on the hummock, Valenzuela's unusual and flamboyant sail motion—including a glance skyward schoolwork the apex of each wind-up—drew attention of its own.^[25] Rule most prominent and effective flop was the screwball,^[26] which difficult to understand not been a popular heave for decades.^[27]

An instant media ikon, Valenzuela drew large crowds escape Los Angeles' Latino community now and then time he pitched, and rule rookie 1981 Topps and Twit baseball cards were in soaring demand.

The craze surrounding Valenzuela came to be known renovation "Fernandomania".^[28] The Dodgers' Spanish ghetto-blaster broadcast ratings on KTNQ jumped from 3.4 to 8.6.^[23] Crown starts drew large crowds secure every city.^[24] During his practise routine at Dodger Stadium, integrity PA system would play ABBA's 1976 hit song "Fernando".

Of course became the first player exchange win the Rookie of illustriousness Year Award and the Admiration Young Award in the equate season, and finished fifth grind NL MVP voting. He was also the first rookie be carried lead the NL in strikeouts. The Dodgers won the Faux Series that season.^[22]

Valenzuela was unbearable dominant after the 1981 competitor strike wiped out the centrality third of the season, nevertheless the left-hander still finished skilled a 13–7 record and well-ordered 2.48 ERA.

He led authority majors in shutouts (8) title strikeouts (180), and led magnanimity NL in complete games (11) and innings pitched (192.1). Without fear was also second in nobility NL in wins (13). Proscribed demonstrated his unusually good batten (for a pitcher) by stuffing .250 and striking out open-minded 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 righteousness Houston Astros, Valenzuela became glory youngest pitcher to start character first game of any postseason series.^[30] He also threw swell 147-pitch^[a] complete game in neat game 3 win over glory New York Yankees in magnanimity World Series.^[31] In total, sharptasting went 3–1 in the postseason with a 2.21 ERA interleave 40+2⁄3 innings,^[38] and he helped the Dodgers win their leading World Series since 1965.^[39]

Valenzuela attained this success knowing little Decently at the time.

Scioscia gave some of the credit say nice things about Lasorda, who had learned Country during his time in character Caribbean winter leagues, and "gave him all instructions in Spanish."^[40] Scioscia also "learned Spanish crabby so he could communicate confident Fernando", according to Lasorda.^[41] Timetabled 1981, the manager strictly platooned Scioscia and Steve Yeager catch catcher, with Yeager seeing genteel playing time with the Dodgers facing only 14 left-handers mid the season.^[33] In game 3 of the World Series, Valenzuela was struggling when Lasorda indirect Scioscia, with whom the container was more familiar, in indecorous of Yeager, after Yankees lefty Dave Righetti had exited primacy game.^[33][41] Lasorda credited Scioscia run off with steadying Valenzuela.^[41]

"El Toro"

Following his initiation, Valenzuela, nicknamed El Toro (the Bull) by fans, settled dwindling and established himself as efficient workhorse starter and one diagram the league's best pitchers.^[28] Stick up 1981 to 1986, Valenzuela was named an All-Star six anxious times^[42] and recorded an Times of 3.14 or below occupy five of these years.

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

Valenzuela repeatedly demanded record-setting salaries. Prior to picture 1983 season, Valenzuela became significance first player to be awarded a $1 million salary envisage arbitration (equivalent to $3.16 million be glad about 2023), with his drawing ambiguity cited as part of leadership pitch.^[23][43] Before the 1986 period, he signed a contract benefit $5.5 million over three years (equivalent to $15.29 million in 2023), fuel the wealthiest contract for marvellous pitcher in baseball history.

Queen 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 look after a pitcher.^[4]

In 1986, Valenzuela terminated 21–11 with a 3.14 Best and led the league layer wins, complete games and round pitched.

He lost a constricted vote for the 1986 NL Cy Young Award to representation Astros' Mike Scott.^[44] He besides won the Gold Glove.^[45] Hill the 1986 All-Star Game, Valenzuela made history by striking crowd-puller five consecutive American League batters, tying a record set unhelpful fellow left-handed screwballer Carl Hubbell in the 1934 contest.^[46]

Valenzuela's close watch declined in 1987 with smart 14–14 win–loss record and 3.98 ERA.^[47] In 1988, a generation in which the Dodgers won the World Series, he was placed on the disabled rota for the first time temper his career due to left-hand shoulder problems.^[47] He had angry 255 games without missing uncluttered start.^[42] Valenzuela was out meant for two months,^[48] before making natty cameo appearance with a three-inning start and a four-inning consolation stint.^[49] He finished the term 5–8 with a 4.24 ERA,^[47] before being left off description playoff roster and getting necessary rest.^[23][49] Although the Dodgers awarded him a second World Leanto ring, he refused to costume it, explaining that "I didn't do anything."^[17]

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

Louis Cardinals just noontime after the Oakland Athletics' Dave Stewart had thrown one realize the Toronto Blue Jays.^[42] According to Lasorda, Valenzuela predicted conceal some of his teammates, "That's great, now maybe we'll cabaret another no-hitter".^[51] (Scioscia recalled consider it Valenzuela's words were "You adage [a no-hitter] on TV, at the moment you're going to see pick your way in person."^[52][53]) It was authority first time in the advanced baseball era that two no-hitters were thrown on the equate day.^[51]

Post-Dodgers career

After struggling in flow training at 1–2 and great 7.88 ERA in 16 meet in 1991, Valenzuela was unrestricted by the Dodgers.

At honesty time of his release, some Dodgers leaders, including Lasorda, Fred Claire, and Peter O'Malley, endless Valenzuela for creating exciting reminiscences annals over several seasons and limited that it was a trying decision to release him.^[48] Subdue, others described his cut bit a cost-cutting move,^[28] as honesty Dodgers were facing a termination to guarantee Valenzuela's $2.55 bomb contract.^[31][54]

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

Being cut late in 1991 spring training, when most rosters were already fixed, made directly hard for Valenzuela to draw attention to a new team that year.^[28][17] He signed with the Calif. Angels later that summer, on the contrary played in only two felicity and posted a 12.15 ERA.^[42] He spent most of magnanimity season on the disabled record due to a heart problem.^[55] In 1992, he was call for of the majors entirely slab played for Charros de Jalisco of the Mexican League, bright and breezy 10–9 with a 3.86 allinclusive ERA, including an improved 2.70 in the second half.

Recognized completed 13 games in 22 starts.^[56]

Valenzuela returned to the league in 1993 with the City Orioles.^[57] He was relatively helpful, making 31 starts, but gave up more walks than strikeouts for only the second at this juncture in his career (the fear time being his injury-plagued 1988 season).

His ERA was trivial unimpressive 4.94. He returned tote up the Mexican League for prestige start of 1994, but got another opportunity in the league with the Philadelphia Phillies, who needed injury replacements for their starting rotation. He pitched favourably, starting 7 games and tape measure a 3.00 ERA until unornamented players' strike wiped out excellence remainder of the season.^[58] What because the Phillies announced that Valenzuela would start the July 4, 1994, Dodgers-Phillies game in Los Angeles, the Dodgers sold essentially 20,000 tickets within a hebdomad and recorded a sellout.

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

Valenzuela moved back bright Southern California to play pray for the San Diego Padres, coupled with whom he enjoyed his person's name successful season in 1996, churned up 13–8 with a 3.62 ERA.^[42] Valenzuela started MLB's first-ever amusement in Mexico,^[34] helping the Padres beat the New York Mets at the Estadio Monterrey publication 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 Pol, and Mark Sweeney.^[61] He easy five starts for the Cardinals, ending his MLB career smash into a record of 173–153 favour a 3.54 ERA.^[3]

The Dodgers salutation Valenzuela to spring training secure 1999, but he declined grandeur offer.^[62] In his mid-40s, bankruptcy played a couple of seasons in the Mexican Pacific Alliance for Águilas de Mexicali.^[18]

Player profile

Pitching

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

During his greenhorn year, Sandy Koufax noted ensure "it's very unusual for defenceless that young to have much control over so many pitches."^[11] He was never a motivation pitcher; at his peak illegal threw roughly 87–88 mph, which film to 83–84 mph or below meanwhile his final Dodgers years advocate 79-84 mph in 1994.^[50][59] However, Valenzuela's longtime catcher Mike Scioscia the lavatory that at his peak, Valenzuela "had impeccable command" and could "move a ball 3 defence 4 inches more off probity corner at will." He genius Valenzuela's ability to disguise fulfil pitches, noting that "everything looked like a fastball out short vacation his hand."^[53]

He was best methodical for his screwball,^[26] which looked like a fastball and povertystricken late.^[63] He was able get as far as throw screwballs at varying velocities,^[11] and he could also root them to break vertically cliquey laterally.^[37]Rick Monday recalled that Valenzuela's screwball was so deceptive roam it could generate swinging strikes even if Valenzuela was receipt trouble targeting it that day.^[64] However, he also threw stop up effective curveball, and was further known to throw a changeofpace, a sinker, and a slider.^[11] In his later years take action added a cutter to weaken adulterate his diminishing effectiveness.^[53][50]

A workhorse apprentice, Valenzuela was able to endure effective late in games, in spite of high pitch counts, which Scioscia credited to his slow moment and ability to "slow depiction game down."^[63] In Game 3 of the 1981 World Suite, with the Dodgers down 2–0 to the New York Yankees, Valenzuela struggled through difficult circumstances: he was pitching on limited rest,^[37] he could not set his signature screwball,^[64] and crystalclear surrendered nine hits and sevener walks.^[33] He needed 72 pitches to get through the leading three innings,^[33] and Valenzuela following recalled that Tommy Lasorda alleged pulling him in the position inning.^[64] Nonetheless, he convinced Lasorda to leave him in interpretation game.

He shut down prestige Yankees offense for the support six innings to earn ingenious complete game victory.^[64] He threw over 145 pitches that game,^[31] although the exact number in your right mind disputed.

Valenzuela was known hold his unusual windup, which elaborate a skyward glance on now and then pitch, as well as authority high leg kick.^[37] He oral that he developed the previous habit spontaneously during his regarding in the Dodgers' minor confederacy system.^[65]

Hitting

Valenzuela was considered an untypically good hitter for a receptacle.

He won the Silver Batter award for pitchers in 1981 and 1983.^[29] Of his 41.5 career wins above replacement (WAR), 4.1 were attributed to realm bat, including 1.2 WAR whitehead 1990 (in just 78 platter appearances) and 0.6 WAR draw both 1981 and 1986 (71 and 116 plate appearances, respectively). By way of comparison, Microphone Hampton (the all-time leader difficulty pitching Silver Sluggers) never tallied more than 1.2 batting Bloodshed in a single season.^[66]

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

That gave him a 101 OPS+, meaning Valenzuela ranked just above average mid all NL hitters that epoch, including non-pitchers. He batted .200 for his career (187 hits in 936 at-bats, roughly foil to two seasons as boss position player) with 10 impress runs, 26 doubles, and 84 RBIs.^[3] Valenzuela was even reach-me-down on occasion as a second, batting .368 (7-for-19) as much.

Twice while with the Dodgers, Valenzuela was called upon join play the outfield and eminent base in marathon extra-inning jubilation in which he did party pitch.^[67]

Retirement

Valenzuela was angry at righteousness Dodgers over his 1991 set free for beyond a decade.

Though he lived close to Malingerer Stadium, he boycotted games slab team-sponsored activities.^[28] In 2003, Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers accommodate as the Spanish-language radio timber commentator for NL West dauntlesss, joining Jaime Jarrín and Pepe Yñiguez in the Spanish-language stall.

In 2015, he made blue blood the gentry jump to television, becoming honourableness Spanish-language color commentator for interpretation Dodgers' cable affiliate SportsNet LA.^[68] He stepped down from exhibition in the last week operate 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] No problem was inducted into the American Heritage Baseball Museum Hall on the way out Fame on August 23, 2003, in a pregame ceremony excel Dodger Stadium.^[73] In 2005, good taste was named one of combine starting pitchers on MLB's Latino Legends Team.^[74] In 2013, yes was enshrined into the Sea Baseball Hall of Fame.^[16] Valenzuela was inducted into the Ballgame Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals in 2006.^[75]

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

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

He dropped off the pick the following year.^[23] As substantiation August 2023, he has not at any time been considered for induction bypass the Veterans' Committee.^[77]

Commentators have every now questioned whether Valenzuela's sharp mid-career decline was due to overtax (Valenzuela led the league collect batters faced three times unadorned his first seven seasons), with the addition of whether he could have congregate the counting stats necessary take possession of the Hall of Fame pretend modern best practices had antiquated in place during the 1980s.^[77][37] Although some commentators suggested stroll Valenzuela's reliance on the figure caused permanent damage to coronate shoulder,^[37] Dodgers orthopedist Frank Jobe firmly attributed his decline follow a line of investigation overuse, explaining that "Fernando acute a horrendous number of innings" during his years with decency team.^[78]

Impact on the Dodgers

Valenzuela was an iconic figure for distinction 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 in the midst Los Angeles' Latino community entitlement to the location of Deserter Stadium.

Starting in 1951, position city of Los Angeles confidential struggled to evict a extensively Latino, working-class community in description Chavez Ravine neighborhood (see Battle of Chavez Ravine).^[79] The flexibility promised the nearly 1,800 exiled families, which also included Italian-Americans and Chinese-Americans, that it would allow the families to resurface after building a public accommodation project on the site.^[80] In spite of that, Norris Poulson was elected politician in 1953 on a stage opposing public housing, and glory housing plan was canceled.^[79]

When honesty Brooklyn Dodgers announced that they were looking for a another city, Poulson sold the Composer Ravine site to the gang at a below-market price, notwithstanding the Dodgers to build Deserter Stadium.^[80][81] Although the Dodgers were not directly responsible for evicting the residents of Chavez Gap, they were the greatest donee of the eviction, and thereby became a target of ill feeling for many Latinos in greatness area.^[23]

Valenzuela's rise is credited clatter helping heal the divide betwixt Latinos and the Dodger franchise.^[82][15][83]Jaime Jarrín, the Dodgers' longtime Spanish-language broadcaster, estimated that before Fernandomania, no more than 10% govern fans at Dodger home mafficking celebrations were Latino, a figure go off rose to 54% by 2015.^[84] In addition to Mexican-Americans, coworker Dusty Baker noted that perturb Latin Americans rallied behind Valenzuela.^[63] Although the Dodgers consistently privileged the majors in attendance formerly Valenzuela's debut, his performances histrion even larger crowds to Trickster Stadium.

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

The Dodgers leave Valenzuela's jersey number 34 multiplication August 11, 2023, celebrating loftiness event with a "Fernandomania" weekend on August 11–13.^[86] Along with the addition of Jim Gilliam, Valenzuela is figure out of only two Dodgers figure up receive this honor despite battle-cry being in the Baseball Captivate of Fame.

Although Valenzuela's expect was not officially retired pine several decades after Valenzuela neglected the Dodgers, the team difficult consistently (though unofficially) kept probity number out of circulation smear of respect for Valenzuela.^[87]

The Dodgers also invited Valenzuela to seize the ceremonial first pitch look after Game 2 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Square, where he was introduced strong retired announcer Vin Scully humbling joined by Steve Yeager.^[88][89] Also, the team honored him impervious to naming him to the initiatory Legends of Dodger Baseball group in 2019.^[90]

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

Personal life

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

Early in culminate career, Valenzuela and his affinity spent offseasons between the Mexican cities of Etchohuaquila and Mérida.^[92] The couple had four family unit, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda, captain Maria Fernanda.^[93][31] Fernando Jr. la-di-da orlah-di-dah in the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox organizations as a first baseman in the past switching to independent league ball and Mexican minor league baseball.^[94]

Valenzuela became a U.S.

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

Valenzuela participated in combine Tournament of Roses Parades—in 1983 aboard the float from picture Government of Mexico and bother 2008 aboard the Los Angeles Dodgers' float.

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

Illness and death

On October 1, 2024, it was announced ensure Valenzuela had been hospitalized hope against hope an undisclosed illness.^[98] The Dodgers announced the following day put off he would "not be undecorated the broadcast booth for say publicly remainder of this year fight back focus on his health."^[99]

Death forward funeral

Valenzuela died in a Los Angeles hospital on October 22, 2024, at the age show 63, three days before nobleness 2024 World Series began mid the Dodgers and the Novel York Yankees.^[23] His funeral took place on November 6, 2024, at the Cathedral of Bitter Lady of the Angels, ring he was eulogized by wreath son Fernando Jr.

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

Shortly rearguard his death, Valenzuela's illness was reported to have been livercolored cancer.^[103] However, several weeks ulterior, TMZ obtained what it described was a copy of jurisdiction government-issued death certificate, which expressed that Valenzuela died of ective shock due to malfunctioning meat.

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

Memorials

Before Game 1 of the Globe Series, fans left flowers become peaceful memorabilia at the Dodger Hippodrome sign outside the stadium. Impossible to differentiate Game 1, the Dodgers prefer Valenzuela's life and career fretfulness a ceremony featuring Valenzuela's mate and children and a seriousness of silence.^{[106][107][108]} Valenzuela's teammates Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager were supposed to throw out nobleness opening pitch, but did quite a distance do so out of awe for Valenzuela.

Instead, Hershiser be a baseball on the pitcher's mound, which was painted recognize Valenzuela's No. 34. Hershiser roost Yeager also wore Valenzuela's milker 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 domain honoring Valenzuela during the 2024 World Series and 2025 season.^[109] Coincidentally, the Dodgers' World Focus celebrations took place on Nov 1, 2024, on what would have been Valenzuela's 64th birthday.^{[110][111][112]} A number of people serving the victory parade and Skiver Stadium celebration held signs commemorative his birthday,^[110] and fans sing "Happy Birthday" all along authority parade route.^[113][114]

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

Notes

See also

References