Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has died at age 63, days before his beloved team returns to the World Series to face the New York Yankees.
The Dodgers announced the news Tuesday night without giving a cause of death.
Valenzuela rose from obscurity to stardom in 1981 during a period known as ‘Fernandomania’ when he became the only player to win a Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
The Dodgers’ post announcing Valenzuela’s death had two sentences, one in Spanish and one in English.
‘Fernandomania forever’ and ‘Fernandomania forever’.
Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63.
Valenzuela played in the major leagues from 1980 until his retirement in 1997.
During his first eight starts of the 1981 season, Valenzuela allowed only four earned runs and earned a complete victory each time he took the mound.
Valenzuela remained close to the franchise after his retirement. He was a color commentator on the Spanish-language broadcasts of his SportsNet LA cable channel until earlier this month.
The Dodgers had announced that Valenzuela had hopes of returning to the cockpit next season as he stepped aside to focus on his health.
The native of Etchohuaquila, Mexico, is credited with attracting a large number of Latino fans to Dodger Stadium and was nicknamed “El Toro.” He also proved to be a big draw away from home.