Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, affectionately known to fans in the baseball world as “El Toro,” has passed away at the age of 63.
The recently born Etchohauquila, Sonora, Mexico stepped out of his role in the Dodgers’ broadcast booth to focus on his health just before the team’s run to the World Series. He planned to return for the 2025 season.
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The man behind “Fernandomania,” which took Los Angeles by storm in the 1980s, spent eleven of his seventeen seasons in Major League Baseball with the Boys in Blue, leading the team to a World Series title in 1981.
He was known for his signature windup and high leg kick before dazzling hitters with a virtually unhittable screw ball. After his retirement, he ranked among the franchise’s top 10 all-time in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, games started, complete games and shutouts.
The Dodgers honored Valenzuela in 2023 with his number 34 retiredmaking him only the 11th Dodger to earn a spot above the left field stands.
Late Tuesday night, the team went to X to acknowledge Valenzuela’s death.
“Fernandomania por siempre,” said one photo. “Fernandomania forever.”
Valenzuela’s rookie season in 1981 is considered one of the best ever, as he captured both the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards. Over the course of his career, he was named to six All-Star Games, won two Silver Slugger Awards and one Gold Glove Award. He also threw a no-hitter in 1990, prompting one of the late Vin Scully’s most memorable calls: “If you’ve got a sombrero, throw it in the air!”
After his retirement, he was the all-time leader in wins and strikeouts among Mexican-born players.
“He created more baseball fans and Dodger fans than any other player,” said Jaime Jarrín, the beloved former Dodgers broadcaster who called games from 1959 to 2022, prior to Valenzuela’s retirement ceremony. “Because of this boy, people have fallen in love with baseball. Especially within the Mexican community.”
After his time with the Boys in Blue, Valenzuela pitched for several other big league teams, including the then-California Angels, the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals. He continued to play in the Mexican Baseball League until 2006.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred shared a statement following the news.
“Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most impactful players of his generation. With his signature pitching style, the left-handed Dodger’s rookie season generated such excitement in the U.S. and his native Mexico that it was commonly referred to as ‘Fernandomania’.” the statement has been read in part. “Following his memorable career, Fernando was an outstanding ambassador for baseball. He consistently supported the growth of baseball during the World Baseball Classic and at MLB events in his home country. A member of the Dodger broadcast team for more than 20 years, Fernando helped 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.”
Major League Baseball plans to honor Valenzuela during the 2024 World Series, which kicks off Friday evening 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,” Manfred’s statement said.
