It's explanatory of the gravitas, as well: Fernando Valenzuela dead at age 63; Dodgers lefty was Mexican baseball god

 It's explanatory of the gravitas, as well: Fernando Valenzuela dead at age 63; Dodgers lefty was Mexican baseball god

HALL OF FAME CHAVEZ NOTEBOOK VALDEMARINIGINSONWORLD SERIES / LIVETRANSCRIPTIONS Nation's Most PopularFernando Valenzuela, whose dispersion of baseball knowledge and romantic revolution for Latino spectators was accompanied by a generation to the plates in 1991 with Los Angeles National Dodger position area after being run. He was 63. The Dodgers said in a release about his death that Alston died surrounded by family while hospitalized, but they did not say why he was hospitalized.

Fernandomania, Dodgers Win It All In 1981

In 1981, Valenzuela became the first player to win both the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in one season. Some highlights of his impressive rookie year:

8-0 To Open The Season With 5 Shutouts

– A 0.50 ERA over his first eight games (it's as good for a reason, but it is still great)

No. 1 in the rotation to begin From Jerry Reuss injury on eve of OD

Winning the Dodgers their first World Series since 1988.

Fan-Friday: Shattering Stereotypes for Latino Players and Fans

Not that the draft-eligible Mexican, who signed with Houston under a $2 million bonus shortly before his 17th birthday and was linked to five-tool promise but spent most of last season in muted desperation on Astros affiliates Corpus Christi's rotation (5.62 ERA/115 OPS+, if you prefer stats.), lacked for symbolism;

Helped make the Dodgers fan base latino with countless amount of fans coming to see him play.

First Mexican Superstar in MLB

Embodied Hero inspired a generation of Latino players and fans.

From his horned signature skyward-looking windup and the screwball as a finishing punctuation

Important Works & Achievements

Valenzuela's Major League playing career lasted 17 seasons:

Career Record: 173-153, 3.54 ERA

Six-time All-Star (1981-86)

84 complete games and 2074 strikeouts

Held St. Louis hitless in 1990

First-millionaire Mexican; most wins and strikeouts by a Mexico-born pitcher in MLB history

Mexican League Provides Gateway to MLB Stardom

And it started in Etchohuala, Sonora, Mexico:

The youngest of 12 children born to humble beginnings.

At age 16 signed first pro deal

Signed as undrafted minor-league free agent (1978) by legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito

Signed with the Dodgers at age 18 in 1979

A Career in Broadcasting and Legacy

Valenzuela remained involved in baseball after retiring as a player following the 1997 season:

Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster since 2003

Helped inspire fans with his Dodger Stadium appearances

Heped Grow Baseball By Playing In The World Baseball Classic

Walked away from the broadcast booth = September 2024

Personal Life and Family

Valenzuela is survived by:

He is survived by his wife, Linda (married in 1981);

His sons and daughters

Seven grandchildren

He has overseen the Dodgers to a victory in their 2024 World Series matchup with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also announced that his memory will be remembered at Dodger Stadium.

Baseball and American culture have lived with the Utt scandal for over fifty years, even as teams continued to sign whites from rural Mississippi.

Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten summarized Valenzuela's significance: "He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes. He galvanized the fanbase with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since."

The loss of Fernando Valenzuela represents more than just the passing of a baseball player - it marks the end of an era that transformed America's pastime and opened doors for countless Latino players and fans who followed in his footsteps.