Dodgers star Fernando Valenzuela, who sparked 'Fernandomania', dies at 63
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LOS ANGELES — Legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, whose phenomenal start to the 1981 season ignited the "Fernandomania" craze and boosted interest in the team among the Los Angeles region's Mexican-American fan base, died Tuesday at the age of 63, the team announced.
"On behalf of the Dodger organization, we profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando," Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said. "He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes."
No cause of death was given, but the Dodgers announced earlier this month that Valenzuela, part of the Dodgers' Spanish-language broadcast team, would sit out the rest of the season due to an unspecified health problem.
Valenzuela left the broadcast booth Sept. 24 during the Dodgers' series with the San Diego Padres and was hospitalized, although no reason was provided.
Kasten said Valenzuela "galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Linda and his family."
Born in Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico as the youngest of 12 children, Valenzuela made his major league debut at age 19 with the Dodgers on Sept. 15, 1980, throwing 17⅔ innings without allowing an earned run for the remainder of the season.
In 1981, beginning with a 2-0 Opening Day shutout of the Houston Astros in an emergency start, he went on an unprecedented career-opening run, with complete games in his first eight career starts – five of them shutouts – and a 0.50 ERA. Immediately, Fernandomania became a fan sensation.
"He turned the game into a religion," Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrin once said.
Valenzuela is survived by his wife Linda and four children, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda and Maria Fernanda, and seven grandchildren.
More to come on this story.
