Fernando Valenzuela, probably best known for his stint in Los Angeles Dodgers in the 80’s died yesterday in LA at the age of 63.
Fernando was born November 1, 1960 in a small town in Sonora Mexico as the youngest of 12 children. He began his baseball career with the Mayos de Navojoa of the Mexican Pacific League in 1977. He played Mexican ball until he was discovered by Dodgers scout Mike Brito in 1979.
Valenzuela made his MLB debut in September of 1980 and pitched 172⁄3 scoreless innings in 10 appearances. He would start the Dodgers first game of the 1981 season. He began the strike shortened season 8–0 with five shutouts and an ERA of 0.50. His performance during the ’81 season won him the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young awards. To date Fernando is the only player to win both in a single season.
The 81 season was the start of ‘Fernandomania’. Valenzuela was a media and fan sensation. Following his debut, Valenzuela, nicknamed El Toro (the Bull) by fans, settled down into a number of years as a workhorse starter and one of the league’s best pitchers.
Fernando Valenzuela went on to have the highest WAR (wins above replacement, ask in the comments if you’d like a more complete explanation), 41.45, of any Mexican born player in MLB history. His league honors include:
- 6× All-Star (1981–1986)
- World Series champion (1981, 1988)
- NL Cy Young Award (1981)
- NL Rookie of the Year (1981)
- Gold Glove Award (1986)
- 2× Silver Slugger Award (1981, 1983)
- NL wins leader (1986)
- MLB strikeout leader (1981)
- Pitched a no-hitter on June 29, 1990
Resquicat in pace.