Fernando Valenzuela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fernando Valenzuela |
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Valenzuela in 1993
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: November 1, 1960 Etchohuaquila, Mexico |
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| Died: October 22, 2024 (aged 63) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 15, 1980, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 14, 1997, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 173–153 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.54 | ||
| Strikeouts | 2,074 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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 Baseball Hall of Fame |
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| Induction | 2014 | ||
Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea (November 1, 1960 – October 22, 2024) was a famous Mexican baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 17 seasons. Fernando was best known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a left-handed pitcher and batter.
Fernando had an amazing career. He won 173 games and had a 3.54 earned run average (ERA). He was known for his unique pitching style. He threw a special pitch called a screwball, which was taught to him by a teammate. This pitch made him stand out from other pitchers.
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Fernando Valenzuela: Baseball Legend
Early Life and Baseball Start
Fernando Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 children. He was born in Etchohuaquila, a small town in Sonora, Mexico. His parents were farmers and were from the Mayo indigenous group.
Fernando started playing professional baseball in Mexico in 1977. He quickly moved up through the leagues. A scout from the Los Angeles Dodgers saw him play. The scout was actually there to watch another player. But Fernando's pitching impressed him so much that the Dodgers signed him in 1979.
Joining the Dodgers
After joining the Dodgers, Fernando learned to throw the screwball. This was an important pitch for him. In 1980, he played for the San Antonio Dodgers. He led the league in strikeouts that year.
Later in 1980, Fernando joined the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched very well in his first few games. He helped the Dodgers almost win their division.
The Rise of "Fernandomania"
In 1981, Fernando became the Dodgers' starting pitcher on Opening Day. He was just a rookie! He started the season incredibly well, winning his first eight games. Five of these wins were shutouts, meaning the other team scored no runs.
Fernando's unique pitching style and his success made him a huge star. Fans, especially from the Latino community in Los Angeles, loved him. This excitement was called "Fernandomania." He even had a song, "Fernando" by ABBA, played when he warmed up.
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That year, Fernando made history. He became the first, and only, player to win both the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same season. The Dodgers also won the 1981 World Series that year, with Fernando playing a big part.
Fernando was also a good hitter for a pitcher. He even won the Silver Slugger Award twice, which is given to the best offensive players at each position.
"El Toro" and Later Career
After his amazing rookie year, fans nicknamed Fernando "El Toro" (The Bull). He continued to be one of the best pitchers in baseball. He was an All-Star for six years in a row. In 1986, he led the league with 21 wins.
Fernando also made history in the 1986 All-Star Game. He struck out five batters in a row, tying a record. He was part of the Dodgers team that won the 1988 World Series.
On June 29, 1990, Fernando pitched a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals. This means no player on the other team got a hit. It was a very special moment.
After the 1990 season, Fernando left the Dodgers. He played for several other teams, including the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres. He retired from baseball in 1997.
Life After Playing
After retiring, Fernando returned to the Dodgers in 2003. He became a Spanish-language radio announcer for their games. He also helped coach the Mexico national baseball team in international tournaments.
In 2017, Fernando bought a Mexican League baseball team, the Tigres de Quintana Roo. He became a U.S. citizen in 2015.
His Legacy
Fernando Valenzuela is a true baseball legend. He was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2013, he joined the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.
As a sign of respect, the Los Angeles Dodgers unofficially stopped using his jersey number, 34. In 2023, they officially retired his number. This means no other Dodgers player will ever wear number 34 again. It's a huge honor!
Fernando was also named one of the first "Legends of Dodger Baseball" in 2019. His story was even featured in a documentary called Fernando Nation.
Personal Life
Fernando Valenzuela married Linda Burgos, a schoolteacher, in 1981. They had four children together. One of his sons, Fernando Jr., also played baseball in the minor leagues.
Fernando passed away on October 22, 2024, at the age of 63. His death came shortly after he had been hospitalized for an illness. He is remembered as a beloved figure in baseball history.
See also
In Spanish: Fernando Valenzuela para niños
- List of Los Angeles Dodgers no-hitters
- List of Major League Baseball players from Mexico
- List of members of the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame
Images for kids
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Fernando Valenzuela's retired number 34 at Dodger Stadium.
