Mexican Fernando Valenzuela, iconic pitcher for the Dodgers and the Major Leagues, died this Tuesday at the age of 63.
“The Dodgers mourn the death of the legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. Fernandomanía forever, Fernandomanía forever,” the Los Angeles team published on the social network X with an image of the left-handed pitcher.
The MLB also echoed the irreparable loss of the symbol of Latin American baseball, who with number 34 and nicknamed ‘the Bull’ became an idol in Los Angeles.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Dodger great Fernando Valenzuela,” MLB published in a statement.
Born on November 1 in Navajoa, Valenzuela died this Tuesday from alleged liver complications that would have caused multiple organ collapse.
Moment
Valenzuela’s death occurs just three days before the start of the World Series, in which his beloved Dodgers will face the New York Yankees.
Beyond the 11 seasons in which he showed his talent on the field for the Dodgers, after his retirement, Valenzuela took the microphone and for the last 22 years as a Spanish-language announcer for the Los Angeles team, which last year retired the number 34 that used the stellar Mexican pitcher during his time as a player.
As few players can do, Valenzuela marked his terrain since his arrival to the Major Leagues in 1981, with the “Fernandomania”, when at 20 years old he began his first full season with a record of 8-0 and an ERA of 0.50, to finish with a 13-7 record, while leading the National League in starts (25), complete games (11), shutouts (8), innings pitched (192.1) and strikeouts.
This performance led him to win the National League Rookie of the Year awards and the Cy Young award, and he was also a determining figure in leading Los Angeles to win the World Series title in 1981, in a postseason in which he had a record. 3-1, with a 2.21 ERA in five games.
Global numbers
Throughout his 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, Valenzuela left a record of 173-153, with an earned run percentage allowed of 3.54 in 453 games, of which he started 424, compiling 2,930 innings pitched, in which he pitched 2,074 strikeouts, while wearing the jerseys of the Dodgers, San Diego Padres, California Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles.
Valenzuela led the National League with 21 wins in 1986, the same year he pitched 20 complete games.
The historic Mexican pitcher was part of the All-Star Game in the six editions that were held from 1981 to 1986.
Los Angeles / EFE
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