Back to Story

Audio file not found.

Fernando Valenzuela, Mexican-born pitcher whose feats for Dodgers fueled 'Fernandomania,' dies at 63

A votive candle donning an image of the Virgen de Guadalupe sits near a mural depicting former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

A votive candle donning an image of the Virgen de Guadalupe sits near a mural depicting former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

A person stands outside Dodger Stadium after the death of former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A person stands outside Dodger Stadium after the death of former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodger pitching sensation Fernando Valenzuela tips his hat to the crowd celebrating his equaling the major league record of eight shutouts by a rookie during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sept. 18, 1981, in Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/Molenhouse, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodger pitching sensation Fernando Valenzuela tips his hat to the crowd celebrating his equaling the major league record of eight shutouts by a rookie during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Sept. 18, 1981, in Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/Molenhouse, File)

Sergio Juarez, 16, left, and his sister Bianca Juarez, 23, stand near the entrance to Dodger Stadium to pay respects to former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 in Los Angeles. Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired "Fernandomania" while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Sergio Juarez, 16, left, and his sister Bianca Juarez, 23, stand near the entrance to Dodger Stadium to pay respects to former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 in Los Angeles. Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired "Fernandomania" while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

FILE - Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela speaks during a news conference ahead of his jersey retirement ceremony at a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies, Aug. 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

FILE - Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela speaks during a news conference ahead of his jersey retirement ceremony at a baseball game between the Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies, Aug. 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela pitches against a San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning at Candlestick Park, Oct. 3, 1982, in San Francisco. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela pitches against a San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning at Candlestick Park, Oct. 3, 1982, in San Francisco. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela blows bubbles as he passes the time in the dugout during the rain delay before Game 3 of the National League playoffs with the Expos at Montreal, Oct. 18, 1981. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela blows bubbles as he passes the time in the dugout during the rain delay before Game 3 of the National League playoffs with the Expos at Montreal, Oct. 18, 1981. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File)

FILE - Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws the ceremonial first pitch during the MLB All-Star baseball game, July 19, 2022, in Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

FILE - Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws the ceremonial first pitch during the MLB All-Star baseball game, July 19, 2022, in Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela pitches in the All-Star game, Aug. 8, 1981, in Cleveland. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela pitches in the All-Star game, Aug. 8, 1981, in Cleveland. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela is doused with champagne by teammate Tom Niedenfuer after the Dodgers won the National League title over the Expos, Oct. 20, 1981, in Montreal. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/MacAlpine, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela is doused with champagne by teammate Tom Niedenfuer after the Dodgers won the National League title over the Expos, Oct. 20, 1981, in Montreal. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/MacAlpine, File)

Candles and baseballs are placed outside Dodger Stadium after the death of former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Candles and baseballs are placed outside Dodger Stadium after the death of former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela tips his sombrero at a news conference after he was named National League Rookie of the Year, Dec. 2, 1981, in Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/Wally Fong, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela tips his sombrero at a news conference after he was named National League Rookie of the Year, Dec. 2, 1981, in Los Angeles. Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who inspired “Fernandomania” while winning the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981, has died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.(AP Photo/Wally Fong, File)

A drawing is placed outside Dodger Stadium after the death of former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A drawing is placed outside Dodger Stadium after the death of former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)