{"id":117416,"date":"2024-10-23T11:18:46","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T04:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=117416"},"modified":"2024-10-23T11:18:46","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T04:18:46","slug":"dodgers-star-fernando-valenzuela-who-sparked-fernandomania-dies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=117416","title":{"rendered":"Dodgers star Fernando Valenzuela, who sparked Fernandomania, dies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-element=\"story-body\" data-subscriber-content=\"\">\n<p>His journey from a small town in Mexico to rousing success in Major League Baseball inspired generations of fans and created a seismic shift in the demographics of the Dodgers fan base.<\/p>\n<p>His unorthodox pitching motion, distinct physique and seemingly mysterious aura left an indelible mark on people from all walks of life, whether it was Los Angeles\u2019 Latino community grappling with the displacement created when the Dodgers built their stadium, Mexican immigrants and their families or artists inspired by his wizardry on the mound.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"video-enhancement\" data-video-disable-history=\"\">\n<div class=\"video-enhancement-player\">  <ps-youtubeplayer data-video-player=\"\" class=\"youtube-video-player video-player youtube-video-player-facade\" data-player-id=\"fc01e60bb025b4b75b30020035a27a9c8\" data-video-id=\"8-YRvEcpVzQ\" data-video-title=\"Remembering late Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela\" data-slot-name=\"\/21787098806\/web.latimes\/sports\/dodgers\/video\" data-lazy-offset=\"1.0\" data-autoplay-threshold=\"50\" data-miniplayer=\"\" data-video-authors=\"Mark E. Potts, Bill Plaschke, Gustavo Arellano\" data-internal-video-id=\"8-YRvEcpVzQ\" data-ad-slot-name=\"\/21787098806\/web.latimes\/sports\/dodgers\/video\" data-ad-provider=\"ima\" data-ima-sdk-url=\"https:\/\/imasdk.googleapis.com\/js\/sdkloader\/ima3.js\" data-ima-ad-tag-url=\"https:\/\/pubads.g.doubleclick.net\/gampad\/ads?ciu_szs=728x90,300x250,180x150,120x60,88x31,300x60,300x100,320x50,468x60,300x600,160x600&amp;sz=640x480&amp;impl=s&amp;gdfp_req=1&amp;env=vp&amp;output=vast&amp;unviewed_position_start=1&amp;cmsid=2652439\">  <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi_webp\/8-YRvEcpVzQ\/maxresdefault.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/8-YRvEcpVzQ\/maxresdefault.jpg\"\/><img id=\"yt-img-8-YRvEcpVzQ\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/8-YRvEcpVzQ\/hqdefault.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"\/> <\/picture> <button type=\"button\" class=\"youtube-video-player-facade-button\" aria-label=\"Play\"> <svg class=\"icon\"><use xlink:href=\"http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/styleguide\/assets\/misc-icons.svg#icon-youtube-play\"\/><\/svg> <\/button>      <\/ps-youtubeplayer> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela died Tuesday at age 63.  He is survived by his wife, Linda, four children, seven grandchildren and extended family. <\/p>\n<p>Valenzuela\u2019s impact endured for so long and so powerfully that the Dodgers retired his jersey number in 2023 despite a long-standing rule that the team only did so for those who were in the Baseball Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n<p>It was a fitting bookend to a public baseball life that had an unprecedented beginning, a surprising and stirring stretch in 1981 that became forever known as \u201cFernandomania.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And though the left-hander never quite reached those heights in his playing career again, Valenzuela remained a beloved and enigmatic hero who was never far from fans\u2019 hearts, as evidenced by the preponderance of No. 34 Dodgers jerseys in the stands and ovations he would receive at home games when he was shown on the scoreboard while working games at Dodger Stadium as part of the team\u2019s Spanish-language broadcast team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn behalf of the Dodger organization, we profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando,\u201d Dodgers team president and chief executive Stan Kasten said in a statement. \u201cHe is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes. He 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Valenzuela\u2019s relationship with the Dodgers included some difficult stretches, with the star contesting his release from the team and taking years to eventually accept an ambassador role with the franchise.<\/p>\n<p>How did the man who remained guarded in the spotlight all his life forge such a close and enduring connection with Dodger fans?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFernando is the uncle who made good,\u201d playwright Luis Alfaro said during The Times\u2019 award-winning \u201cFernandomania at 40\u201d series in 2021. \u201cHe is the relative who is forever a superstar. He\u2019s immortalized, he\u2019s the Mar\u00eda F\u00e9lix of sports.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Valenzuela, it was a bond that was cemented early in his rookie season.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center-expanded=\"\">\n<div data-element=\"media-set-2-up-vertical\" role=\"figure\" aria-describedby=\"media-set-00000191-6ba4-d53b-abd1-6baeb9fc0010\" class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-2.5 m-0 -mx-5 md:grid-cols-2 lg:m-0  xxl:-mx-10 \">\n<div data-element=\"media-set-media-container\" class=\"relative\">  <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/87b3677\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/320x480!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b05ea33\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/568x852!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/af316ef\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/768x1152!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/37cd185\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/1024x1536!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f36dc36\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/1200x1800!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Dodgers starting pitcher Fernando Valenzuela delivers during a game.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9c55354\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/320x480!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/496d63f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/568x852!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d1781cc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/768x1152!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b3edfb7\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/1024x1536!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/17c03ea\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/1200x1800!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f011f13\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2359x3539+0+0\/resize\/800x1200!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fef%2F42%2Fc026185642bfaa55a8676e57252f%2Fla-photos-1staff-34fernando.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>  <\/div>\n<div data-element=\"media-set-media-container\" class=\"relative\">  <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7bbc853\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/320x480!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1cbed3c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/568x852!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/aa7c4e0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/768x1152!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4227524\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/1024x1536!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c887413\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/1200x1800!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Dodgers starting pitcher Fernando Valenzuela delivers during a game.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/df4267d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/320x480!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b73a860\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/568x852!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/42b7ae8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/768x1152!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/44b4961\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/1024x1536!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a1d4f9b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/1200x1800!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/aca7d8a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2384x3576+0+72\/resize\/800x1200!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4b%2F8b%2F107033294782bc4a5e61c71e69e8%2Fla-photos-1staff-31fernando.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>  <\/div>\n<p id=\"media-set-00000191-6ba4-d53b-abd1-6baeb9fc0010\" data-element=\"media-set-caption\" class=\"col-span-full mx-5 my-0 font-service font-medium text-xs leading-3.5 text-color-black lg:mx-0\">  <span data-element=\"media-set-caption\">Starting pitcher Fernando Valenzuela delivers in games at the beginning, left, and toward the end of his career with the Dodgers.<\/span>     <span data-element=\"media-set-credit\">(Jayne Kamin-Oncea \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>During that heady 1981 season, Valenzuela used an assortment of pitches that included a screwball to become the first, and to this day only, player to win the National League Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards during the same season. With a windup in which he would look skyward almost as if he sought guidance from a higher power, he won his first eight starts \u2014 five by shutout \u2014 shocking longtime baseball observers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is the most puzzling, wonderful, rewarding thing I think we\u2019ve seen in baseball in many, many years,\u201d Vin Scully <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gLDhs76rkCg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">exclaimed on the air<\/a> after the fifth of those shutouts, a 1-0 win over the Mets in New York, adding: \u201cAnd somehow this youngster from Mexico, with the pixie smile on his face, acts like he\u2019s pitching batting practice.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After a midseason players\u2019 strike interrupted the regular season, the Dodgers would go on to win the World Series, beating the New York Yankees in six games. During the team\u2019s postseason run, Valenzuela was the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, holding the Montreal Expos to one run in 8 \u2154 innings and helping the Dodgers secure the pennant.<\/p>\n<p>He started Game 3 of the World Series, following two losses by the Dodgers in New York, and gutted out a complete-game, 5-4 victory despite throwing 147 pitches, giving up nine hits and walking seven. It was the first of four consecutive victories by the Dodgers to clinch their fifth championship in franchise history.<\/p>\n<p>The Dodgers, longing for a Mexican star to connect with the Latino population in L.A., had finally found one in Valenzuela, whose impact would transform what had been predominantly a white fan base.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen Mr. Walter O\u2019Malley came to Los Angeles, he used to tell us, \u2018Jaime, when are you going to find and give us a Mexican Sandy Koufax?\u2019 And I used to tell Mr. O\u2019Malley, \u2018It\u2019s impossible to find another Koufax, never mind Mexico but any Latin country,\u2019\u201d said Jaime Jarr\u00edn, the Dodgers\u2019 longtime Spanish-language announcer who retired in 2022. \u201cHe realized it was very, very important to please the Mexican community in Southern California.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>1981 was a remarkable season, perhaps surpassed only by the events leading up to it.<\/p>\n<p>The youngest of 12 children, Fernando Valenzuela was born in Etchohuaquila, a small farming village in the state of Sonora, Mexico, on Nov. 1, 1960. His parents, Avelino and Emergilda, and his six brothers and five sisters lived in a whitewashed adobe house with five rooms and no running water in a community that during Valenzuela\u2019s youth consisted of a few dirt roads and had a population of 140.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to helping tend to the family\u2019s crops, Valenzuela and his brothers played baseball. Valenzuela stood out even at a young age and by 1977, he was signed by Etchohuaquila\u2019s local team, the Navojoa Mayos.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center-expanded=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8675639\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/320x226!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/79d6718\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/568x401!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0690c47\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/768x542!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4212970\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/1080x762!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/916a01d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/1240x875!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/bd82d54\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/1440x1017!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2d1da8f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/2160x1525!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Mike Brito looks on as Fernando Valenzuela celebrates in the clubhouse after the Dodgers won the 1981 World Series \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/36905d8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/320x226!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ab74c19\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/568x401!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0fe8d23\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/768x542!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7d677af\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/1080x762!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9c51ffb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/1240x875!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0b3587e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/1440x1017!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ae4a76b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/2160x1525!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1412\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/58c84ac\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2626+0+0\/resize\/2000x1412!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F51%2F4e%2F92fbdeda4460aff8879215e08cc2%2Fla-photos-1staff-locker-room.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Baseball scout Mike Brito looks on as Fernando Valenzuela celebrates after the Dodgers won the 1981 World Series against the NYew York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>(Jayne Kamin-Oncea \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>\u201cBy that point, I told myself, \u2018now it\u2019s a career, it\u2019s not for fun,\u2019\u201d Valenzuela told The Times in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Facing players much older than him, Valenzuela successfully pitched for several teams before moving on to the Yucatan Leones of the Mexican League in 1979 by the age of 18.<\/p>\n<p>By this point, he was on the radar of Dodgers scout Mike Brito. Himself a distinct figure, with his Panama hat, mustached grin and ubiquitous cigar, Brito first spotted Valenzuela when he was pitching for Guanajuato in 1978. The Dodgers scout was on hand to see a shortstop on the other team, but Valenzuela quickly got his attention.<\/p>\n<p>Brito continued to follow Valenzuela\u2019s career and lobby the Dodgers to sign the left-hander. By July 1979, the Dodgers purchased Valenzuela\u2019s contract from the Leones for $120,000 \u2014 considered a substantial amount at the time for a Mexican player. But it ultimately proved to be a groundbreaking transaction. Major league teams had largely ignored scouting in Mexico before then. Prior to Valenzuela\u2019s Dodgers debut in 1980, fewer than 40 players born in Mexico had appeared in the majors, according to Baseball America. That number has since <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/news\/featured\/origins-history-and-evolution-of-baseball-in-mexico\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">grown to nearly 150<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>After spending the rest of the 1979 season with the Class High-A Lodi Dodgers, starting three games and posting a 1.12 earned-run average, the organization determined that Valenzuela needed to add another pitch to his arsenal to continue to move up. Brito suggested he learn a split-fingered fastball, but no one in the Dodgers system threw one.<\/p>\n<p>Then Brito remembered Bobby Castillo, a former Lincoln High and L.A. Valley College star who had spent parts of three seasons with the Dodgers, threw a screwball. Despite language barriers \u2014 Castillo did not speak Spanish and Valenuela did not speak English \u2014 Castillo taught Valenzuela the screwball in the Arizona Instructional League. <\/p>\n<p>Valenzuela caught on quickly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not lying to you: Within a week, Fernando was throwing the screwball as good as Babo,\u201d Brito told The Times in 2011, using Castillo\u2019s nickname.<\/p>\n<p>With an expanded arsenal, Valenzuela thrived with the Dodgers\u2019 Double-A affiliate in San Antonio in 1980. The left-hander won 13 games and tossed 11 complete games while striking out a Texas League-best 162 batters in 174 innings.<\/p>\n<p>Valenzuela was called up in September when rosters expanded and he appeared in his first game for the Dodgers on Sept. 15, 1980, when he pitched two innings in a 9-0 loss to the Braves in Atlanta. He allowed two unearned runs and recorded his first MLB strikeout, fanning Jerry Royster.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe only Dodger performance worth noting was by pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, who made his major league debut,\u201d The Times wrote after the game.<\/p>\n<p>Thrust into a pennant race, Valenzuela appeared in 10 games and gave up no earned runs in 17\u2154 innings as the Dodgers forged a tie atop the NL West with the Houston Astros at the end of the regular season. Faced with a one-game playoff at Dodger Stadium, manager Tommy Lasorda elected to start Dave Goltz \u2014 a high-priced right-hander the team had signed before the season but who had performed poorly \u2014 over Valenzuela, then 19 years old, who had pitched two innings the day before.<\/p>\n<p>Goltz lasted three innings, giving up four runs in a 7-1 loss as the Dodgers\u2019 season came to an end. Valenzuela, for his part, pitched two scoreless innings and gave up one hit.<\/p>\n<p>It was a hint of things to come, but once again, a confluence of events put Valenzuela in the spotlight.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center-expanded=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a93b982\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/320x214!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/14cb1df\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0771201\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/768x513!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/48bf82f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/1080x721!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1323f09\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/1240x828!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6908ab3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/5f29fcb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/2160x1442!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela races with Mike Scioscia in their first full workout since.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/208b938\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/320x214!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/27a0cc8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b98209f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/768x513!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/32bb903\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/1080x721!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/57c7071\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/1240x828!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cef5f12\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9edc9b9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/2160x1442!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1335\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/99535f3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2784x1858+0+0\/resize\/2000x1335!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2Ff3%2Fb2c1543a479785163530ae7e7a2a%2Flitz3cnc.JPG\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela races with Mike Scioscia in their first full workout since the strike on Aug. 1, 1981.<\/p>\n<p>(Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Valenzuela was on the Dodgers roster coming out of spring training in 1981, firmly in the team\u2019s starting pitching rotation behind left-hander Jerry Reuss and right-hander Burt Hooton. The day before the season opener against the Astros at Dodger Stadium, Reuss suffered a calf injury during a team workout. Hooton and other starting pitchers were not ready to step in, allowing Valenzuela to become the first rookie pitcher to start on opening day in Dodgers history.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTommy liked to make jokes, so I said \u2018hahaha,\u2019\u201d Valenzuela said about being informed of the assignment. \u201cAnd he said, \u2018it\u2019s not a joke, it\u2019s serious.\u2019 And that\u2019s when I said, \u2018yeah, why not?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Valenzuela scattered five hits, went nine innings and defeated the Astros, 2-0, to kick off a remarkable display of pitching that captured the imagination of baseball fans and quickly became a source of pride for Mexicans and Mexican Americans. He went the distance again in his next start, a 7-1 victory over the Giants in San Francisco.<\/p>\n<p>Then came three more shutouts \u2014 at San Diego, at Houston and at home against the Giants \u2014 before he pitched another complete game and beat the Expos 6-1. Then another shutout at New York against the Mets to cap off an 8-0 start that featured a 0.50 ERA.<\/p>\n<p>By this point, the buzz and attention surrounding the portly left-hander had reached a fever pitch, and the impact was as wide as it was sudden.<\/p>\n<p>The Dodgers, who had broadcast games in Spanish since 1959, saw a ratings increase and interest in expanding their radio network into Mexico. Jarr\u00edn, the team\u2019s lead play-by-play announcer, was thrust into the spotlight himself, serving as an interpreter for Valenzuela during news conferences before and after games.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo the point that, in those years, the radio station ratings were usually 3.4,\u201d Jarr\u00edn said in 2021. \u201cWe were happy with 3.4. But at KTNQ, we\u2019d get a rating of 8.6. Never had a radio station done that before. It was because of Fernando, Fernandomania and the Dodgers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>L.A.\u2019s Mexican community began to flock to Dodger Stadium during his starts. The Dodgers, who had become the first franchise to draw 3 million fans in 1978, averaged 48,430 fans during Valenzuela\u2019s home starts and 42,523 overall during the strike-interrupted 1981 season \u2014 the highest average attendance in Dodger Stadium history to that point.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center-expanded=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cb30b7d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/320x211!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/740800c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/568x375!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4964f44\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/768x507!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/92a35ee\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/1080x713!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/359a1bf\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/1240x818!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a366eb5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/1440x950!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f0dc0ad\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/2160x1426!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Los Angeles, CA. Kids at Aldama Elementary School in Highland Park spell out Dodgers Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela's name. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b748366\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/320x211!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b783374\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/568x375!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/5bcfc0d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/768x507!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/3145eb6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/1080x713!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6e22ee9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/1240x818!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7a77057\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/1440x950!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7eafceb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/2160x1426!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1320\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/14b5acc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4909x3240+0+0\/resize\/2000x1320!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F7a%2Fc3%2F81b62e094af9ab2804d431bb1061%2Fla-photos-1staff-579080-la-me-latino-project-37.JPG\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Images from the Los Angeles Times 1984 Pulitzer Prize Award for Public Service, \u201cLatinos\u201d, a 27-part series on Southern California\u2019s latino community and culture in the early 1980s. Los Angeles, CA. Kids at Aldama Elementary School in Highland Park spell out Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela name. (Los Angeles Times \/ Jose Galvez)<\/p>\n<p>(Jose Galvez\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>\u201cIt was like an East L.A. backyard party,\u201d boxing historian and author Gene Aguilera told The Times in 2021.\u201cHe was like a family member you would visit every four days at Dodger Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The electric atmosphere was also surprising considering the fraught history at Chavez Ravine, when Latino families were uprooted from neighborhoods there throughout the 1950\u2019s to eventually clear the way for the construction of Dodger Stadium. L.A.\u2019s Latino community never forgot that chapter in the city\u2019s history, but Valenzuela\u2019s meteoric rise and everyman appeal proved hard to resist.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFernando was really key for bringing the hearts and minds of <i>la raza<\/i> to the stadium,\u201d Richard Montoya, a filmmaker and playwright who staged a show about the history of Chavez Ravine, told The Times in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Added Richard Santill\u00e1n, a professor emeritus and longtime season-ticket holder: \u201cPeople laughed, my father laughed. My father would say he looks just like a typical <i>mexicano<\/i>. He was pudgy \u2026 he was what they\u2019d call <i>gordito<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Though a 50-day strike wiped out two months of the 1981 season, Valenzuela continued to achieve milestones through the rest of the year \u2014 the second rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game, the first rookie to lead the NL in strikeouts, a World Series championship, a Cy Young Award, a Silver Slugger Award, to name a few.<\/p>\n<p>Valenzuela remained a consistent top-line starting pitcher over the next four seasons, averaging nearly 16 wins. Before the 1983 season, Valenzuela also became the first player to win a $1-million salary in arbitration \u2014 with his representatives using Valenzuela\u2019s vast drawing power as part of their argument.<\/p>\n<p>The year 1986 proved to be fruitful on several fronts for Valenzuela. In February, the Dodgers signed the left-hander to a three-year contract worth $5.5 million, the largest for an MLB pitcher at the time. In July, he tied a record by striking out five consecutive batters in the All-Star Game \u2014 a mark set in 1934 by Carl Hubbell, himself a screwball pitcher. <\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center-expanded=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ae08f84\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/320x217!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f176583\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/568x385!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/40a9e5a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/768x520!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/080b34b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/1080x732!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/005eacc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/1240x840!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/510519f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/1440x976!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/312fbc5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/2160x1463!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Los Angeles, CA - Fernando Valenzuela #34 of the Los Angeles Dodgers signs autographs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/19a4151\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/320x217!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/52cafd5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/568x385!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/dcedcc6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/768x520!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/5d24a42\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/1080x732!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/613b834\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/1240x840!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4ce17d7\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/1440x976!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7670103\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/2160x1463!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1355\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7e4262e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3720x2521+0+0\/resize\/2000x1355!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd0%2F52%2F143336634e798510bdccab2e04ce%2Fla-photos-1staff-pict0596.JPG\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Los Angeles, CA &#8211; Fernando Valenzuela #34 of the Los Angeles Dodgers signs autographs at dodger stadium. <\/p>\n<p>(Jayne Kamin-Oncea\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Despite the Dodgers finishing 73-89, Valenzuela won 21 games to lead the NL and pitched 20 complete games to lead all of baseball \u2014 numbers unheard of in MLB today.<\/p>\n<p>By this point, Valenzuela was firmly a cult hero among Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Latino artists wrote songs in his honor and painted murals of Valenzuela, and he was referenced in the 1987 comedic film <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qlvljzgfOAs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cBorn in East L.A.\u201d<\/a> He was mobbed whenever he made personal appearances in East Los Angeles at parks and schools.<\/p>\n<p>Through his first six seasons, Valenzuela won 97 games, threw 84 complete games and posted a 2.97 ERA while never landing on the injured list. But despite being only 25 years old at the end of the 1986 season, he did not maintain that form for the rest of his career as injuries and wear and tear from overuse set in.<\/p>\n<p>Valenzuela won 29 games during the next three seasons and was left off the postseason roster in 1988 as the Dodgers stormed to another World Series title.<\/p>\n<p>In what turned out to be his final season with the Dodgers, Valenzuela provided fans one last thrill on June 29, 1990. Earlier in the day, Dave Stewart \u2014 Valenzuela\u2019s former teammate on the 1981 championship team \u2014 threw a no-hitter for the Oakland Athletics in Toronto. Watching on television in the clubhouse before his start at Dodger Stadium, Valenzuela turned to some teammates and said, \u201cThat\u2019s great, now maybe we\u2019ll see another no-hitter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And Valenzuela delivered, <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/archives\/la-xpm-1990-06-30-sp-434-story.html\">beating the Cardinals 6-0<\/a> to mark the first time in modern baseball history that two no-hitters were thrown on the same day. The final two outs came when he induced Pedro Guerrero, another former teammate on the 1981 team, to ground into a double play.<\/p>\n<p>He finished the 1990 season 13-13 with a 4.59 ERA \u2014 his final win with the Dodgers coming on Sept. 14 at Cincinnati, a 155-pitch complete game. The end of his tenure with the Dodgers came bitterly and abruptly the following March, when the team released him on the eve of the 1991 season \u2014 on the day his $2.55-million contract would have become guaranteed.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier in spring training, the Dodgers had played a pair of exhibition games in Monterrey, Mexico \u2014 providing the 30-year-old Valenzuela an opportunity <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/archives\/la-xpm-1991-03-18-sp-395-story.html\">to pitch in his home country<\/a> for the first time in his MLB career. Even 10 years removed from the initial wave of Fernandomania, Valenzuela remained the star attraction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center-expanded=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/56b8929\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/858c7a9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d0f64f8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1a6ab88\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/29e1a9f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4e4ac86\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4408654\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Fernando Valenzuela of the California Angels throws the ball \" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b657169\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ce9e5a1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d8e6952\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cde9395\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/863a582\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/dd8d65d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a997594\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f9bba50\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/3072x2048+0+0\/resize\/2000x1333!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F58%2F22%2Fd994699d402787d501e979f7aa7d%2Fgettyimages-1401912-1.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>12 Jun 1991: Fernando Valenzuela of the California Angels throws the ball during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn \/Allsport<\/p>\n<p>(Stephen Dunn\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>\u201cWe knew Fernando\u2019s importance to his country before we came down here, but to see it, to feel, to hear it \u2026 it was an extraordinary moment,\u201d former Dodgers owner Peter O\u2019Malley said at the time.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, citing his ineffectiveness during spring training and his 23-26 record the previous two seasons, the Dodgers elected to move on, which upset and surprised Latino communities across the Southland.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe gave them everything he had,\u201d one fan, Raul Montesinos, <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/archives\/la-xpm-1991-03-29-me-1021-story.html\">told The Times<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s like a worker when he\u2019s all used up and the boss gets rid of him because he\u2019s of no use anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Valenzuela vowed to continue pitching, <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/dodgers\/story\/2021-10-03\/after-the-mania\">signing with the Angels<\/a> in May 1991 but lasting only two starts before being released later that season. After a year pitching in the Mexican league, Valenzuela returned to the majors in 1993 and pitched for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals over the next five seasons. His best campaign was in 1996, when he won 13 games for a team that won the National League West division.<\/p>\n<p>After being traded to the Cardinals in June 1997 and then released by them a month later, he never pitched in the majors again. Valenzuela was invited to spring training by the Dodgers in 1999, an offer he declined. Over 17 seasons in MLB, 11 with the Dodgers, <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/v\/valenfe01.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Valenzuela won 173 games<\/a>. (He ranks ninth on the Dodgers\u2019 career wins list with 141.)<\/p>\n<p>By 2003, the relationship between Valenzuela and the Dodgers thawed enough that he joined the team\u2019s Spanish-language broadcast team, helping call games with Pepe Y\u00f1iguez and Jarr\u00edn, the man who\u2019d been by his side during the heady days of Fernandomania.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center-expanded=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a9d6055\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/320x204!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fa11524\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/568x363!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f0b54d9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/768x490!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/63919d9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/1080x690!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/674fc7f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/1240x792!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7d72903\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/1440x919!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9f48fbe\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/2160x1379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela photographed at Dodger Stadium March 24, 2011.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/928b200\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/320x204!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/21a2a1b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/568x363!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c25261b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/768x490!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/20ed855\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/1080x690!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/75cf2ea\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/1240x792!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/48bb8e3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/1440x919!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1efed27\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/2160x1379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1277\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/db73082\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/2200x1405+0+0\/resize\/2000x1277!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F16%2Fd9%2Fd4e61e824e57a076286163e26b97%2Ffernando-valenzuela-staff-01.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela photographed at Dodger Stadium March 24, 2011.<\/p>\n<p>(Al Seib\/Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>It was an avenue that allowed Valenzuela to maintain a high \u2014 but guarded \u2014 profile, though he remained visible in other ways. He helped coach the Mexican national team in the World Baseball Classic four times between 2006 and 2017; he became a U.S. citizen in July 2015, going through the naturalization ceremony at the L.A. Convention Center, about three and a half miles from Dodger Stadium; he headed an ownership group that purchased the Quintana Roo Tigres, a Mexican League team located in Cancun, in 2017; and in 2019, the Mexican League retired his No. 34 jersey.<\/p>\n<p>That number had never been worn by any Dodger since the team released him in 1991, an unofficial acknowledgment of his effect on the franchise. But the Dodgers steadfastly stood by their policy of retiring only the numbers of players who were already in the Baseball Hall of Fame (though Jim Gilliam\u2019s number was retired in the wake of his death in October 1978).<\/p>\n<p>And Valenzuela, despite his impressive run early in his career, did not garner enough support for enshrinement (75% of the vote from members of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America is needed). In his first year on the ballot in 2003, he netted 6.2% of the vote, surpassing the 5% threshold needed to stay on the ballot for another year. The number dropped to 3.8% in 2004 and he fell off the ballot in subsequent years.<\/p>\n<p>But Valenzuela\u2019s enduring legacy, with the Dodgers and its fans, and the sport as a whole, provided an opportunity to retire his number on Aug. 11, 2023, in <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/dodgers\/story\/2023-08-10\/fernando-valenzuela-number-retirement-baseball-hall-of-fame\">a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt never crossed my mind that this would ever happen,\u201d Valenzuela said before the ceremony. \u201cLike being in the World Series my rookie year, I never thought that would happen. I didn\u2019t think this would happen, because first of all you have to be in Cooperstown. It really caught me by surprise. It\u2019s hard to put into words what this means.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/sports\/dodgers\/story\/2024-10-22\/dodgers-fernando-valenzuela-fernandomania-obit\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>His journey from a small town in Mexico to rousing success in Major League Baseball inspired generations of fans and created a seismic shift in the demographics of the Dodgers &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=117416\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-117416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=117416"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/117416\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=117416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=117416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=117416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}