Thought-about one of many best pitchers in Dodgers historical past, Fernando Valenzuela‘s impact stretched beyond a World Series title and his accomplishments on the mound.
Valenzuela’s meteoric rise with the Dodgers in 1981 ignited “Fernandomania”, making a bond between the Dodgers and Latino followers that continues to run robust greater than 4 many years after his major-league debut.
Valenzuela performed 11 seasons with the Dodgers, successful a World Sequence title with the group in 1981. He additionally threw a no-hitter with the Dodgers in June 1990.
After leaving the Dodgers in 1991, he performed for the Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals earlier than retiring in 1997. He returned to the Dodgers in 2003, becoming a member of Jaime Jarrin within the group’s Spanish-language radio broadcast sales space.
Have a look again on the life and profession of the legendary Dodgers pitcher and radio broadcaster, who died at 63 on Tuesday:
Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela delivers throughout the 1981 MLB All-Star Sport at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.
(Walter Iooss Jr. / Sports activities Illustrated through Getty Photographs)
Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, left, speaks subsequent to interpreter Jaime Jarrin throughout a information convention on Nov. 11, 1981.
(Saxon Reed / Related Press)
Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, proper, races with Mike Scioscia throughout a exercise at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 1, 1981.
(Los Angeles Occasions)
Fernando Valenzuela warms up at Dodger Stadium in 1980.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Occasions)
Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela is surrounded by college students throughout a go to to Sheridan Road Elementary in December 1984.
(Los Angeles Occasions)
Fernando Valenzuela lets Dodgers supervisor Tommy Lasorda examine his pitching grip throughout spring coaching in March 1983.
(Joe Kennedy / Los Angeles Occasions)
Dodgers scout Mike Brito, left, smiles as Fernando Valenzuela celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers’ World Sequence win over the New York Yankees in October 1981. Brito was answerable for the Dodgers signing Valenzuela in 1979.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Los Angeles Occasions)
Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela raises a magnum of champagne after the Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros to clinch the Nationwide League West Division title on Oct. 12, 1981.
(Related Press)
Fernando Valenzuela and his soon-to-be spouse Linda Margarita Burgos Metri put together to be married on the Immaculate Mary Church, in Merida, Mexico, on Dec. 29, 1981.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Los Angeles Occasions)
Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela indicators autographs at Dodger Stadium.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Los Angeles Occasions)
Dodgers supervisor Tommy Lasorda, left, and pitcher Fernando Valenzuela put on sombreros throughout an occasion in Los Angeles in December 1981.
(Wally Fong / Related Press)
Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela delivers throughout Sport 1 of the Nationwide League Championship Sequence in opposition to the St. Louis Cardinals on Oct. 9, 1985.
(Lennox McLendon / Related Press)
Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela winds as much as ship a pitch in opposition to the Houston Astros in 1988.
(Allsport)
Fernando Valenzuela twirls a rope as he hops by way of it throughout a go to from the Riata Ranch Cowboy Ladies at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 2, 1985. Valenzuela was an novice rope twirler and he placed on a brief present earlier than a sport in opposition to the Atlanta Braves.
(Reed Saxon / Related Press)
Fernando Valenzuela, left, and Tommy Lasorda throughout an exhibition sport in Monterrey, Mexico, in March 1991.
(Jon SooHoo / Los Angeles Dodgers)
Fernando Valenzuela with the Angels’ double-A affiliate, the Midland Angels, in 1991.
(Courtesy of the Midland Rockhounds)
San Diego Padres pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, heart, celebrates with teammate Rickey Henderson, proper, after the Padres defeated the Dodgers to win the NL West Division title on Sept. 29, 1996.
(Related Press)
Fernando Valenzuela, left, presents Clayton Kershaw together with his first Cy Younger Award earlier than a sport at Dodger Stadium on April 11, 2012.
(Los Angeles Occasions)
Fernando Valenzuela throws out the ceremonial first pitch earlier than the 2022 MLB All-Star Sport at Dodger Stadium.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Occasions)
Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, left, shares fun with Fernando Valenzuela earlier than a ceremony honoring Spanish language radio announcer Jaime Jarrin at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 2, 2018.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Photographs)
Fernando Valenzuela throws ceremonial the primary pitch after his No. 34 jersey was retired by the Dodgers on Aug. 11, 2023.
(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Occasions)
Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers’ broadcaster and legendary pitcher, receives the USA Citizenship and Immigration Companies Excellent Individuals by Selection recognition award throughout a naturalization ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 29, 2022.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Occasions)
Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela at Dodger Stadium in March 2011.
(Al Seib/Los Angeles Occasions)
