One of the Los Angeles Dodgers' legendary pitchers passed away days before the Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series.

Fernando Valenzuela, who took over the hearts of Los Angeles in the early 80s, passed away yesterday.  He was 63 years old.

From Navojoa, Mexico, Valenzuela was a late call-up in 1980.  Due to an injury to Jerry Reuss on the eve of the 1981 Opening Day, he got the call and began the season by winning his first eight decisions.  He finished the season as 13-7 with a league-leading 190 Strikeouts and would win the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award.  The Dodgers won the World Series that year, and Fernandomania was the toast of the baseball world.

Valenzuela did not speak English when he was called up, and his portly body did not look athletic at all.  Still, he had an infectious smile and undeniable charisma, and he became a fan favorite among all Dodgers fans, Hispanic or not. 

He went on to have three more top-five Cy Young finishes, was a six-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger, and a one-time Gold Glove winner.  Valenzuela also played for California, Baltimore, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis and had a record of 173-152 with 2,074 Strikeouts.   Following his playing career, Valenzuela worked for the Dodgers on their Spanish Language broadcasts, and stepped aside a week ago to focus on his health.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Fernando Valenzuela.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives.  As such, it is important to us that the Seattle Mariners have announced that the Los Angeles Dodgers will retire Fernando Valenzuela’s #34 this August.

The Dodgers accidentally discovered Valenzuela as they were scouting a Shortstop in Mexico.  They were dazzled by the rotund hurler and signed him, buying out his Mexican League contract in 1979.  A year later, he was a September callup, and in 17.2 Innings, he never allowed a run.  It didn't take a clairvoyant to see what might happen in 1981.

"El Toro" helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series.  That season, he won the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young, making him the first player to accomplish that in the same year.  Valenzuela was the opening day starter, and everyone in Los Angeles took the Mexican star to heart.

The mania surrounding Valenzuela cooled, but he was still an elite pitcher for many years.  He was an All-Star each year from 1981 to 1986, and he had three more top-five finishes in Cy Young voting.  Valenzuela would have three 200 Strikeout years, and he was also a decent batter, winning two Silver Sluggers, as well as aiding L.A to a World Series win in 1988.

Valenzuela will join Pee Wee Reese, Tommy Lasorda, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges. Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Don Drysdale who have their number retired by the Dodgers.

Pitchers had better careers, but many of those never captured the imagination of baseball fans like Fernando Valenzuela.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Fernando Valenzuela for this impending honor.

In 1981, a "mania" took over Los Angeles.  Some would say it took over the entire baseball world.  That was "Fernandomania" in honor of Mexican hurler Fernando Valenzuela.

The Dodgers accidentally discovered Valenzuela as they were scouting a Shortstop in Mexico.  They were dazzled by the rotund hurler and signed him, buying out his Mexican League contract in 1979.  A year later, he was a September callup, and in 17.2 Innings, he never allowed a run.  It didn't take a clairvoyant to see what might happen in 1981.

"El Toro" helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series.  That season, he won the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young, making him the first player to accomplish that in the same year.  Valenzuela was the opening day starter, and everyone in Los Angeles took the Mexican star.

The mania surrounding Valenzuela cooled, but he was still an elite pitcher for many years.  He was an All-Star each year from 1981 to 1986, and he had three more top-five finishes in Cy Young voting.  Valenzuela would have three 200 Strikeout years, and he was also a decent batter, winning two Silver Sluggers.

The All-Star years were over by 1987, and he played until 1997, with stops in California, the Mexican League, Baltimore, Philadelphia, San Diego, and St. Louis.  He retired with 173 Wins and 2,074 Strikeouts.

Pitchers had better careers, but many of those never captured the imagination of baseball fans like Fernando Valenzuela.

In 2019, he was one of four players to have a plaque in recognition as a Legend of Dodger Baseball, but that might be rescinded, as that was reserved for great players who were not in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  In 2023, the Dodgers reversed course, and announced that his #34 would be retired by the team.

In 1981, a "mania" took over Los Angeles.  Some would say it took over the entire baseball world.  That was "Fernandomania" in honor of Mexican hurler, Fernando Valenzuela.