By Jim Flanagan
Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican pitching legend who ignited “Fernandomania” and transformed the Los Angeles Dodgers’ relationship with their community, was more than just a baseball player – he was a cultural icon who bridged divides and inspired generations.
Rising from humble beginnings in Etchohuaquila, Mexico, Valenzuela burst onto the Major League scene in 1981 with one of baseball’s most remarkable debuts. As a 20-year-old rookie, he opened the season with a 50-inning scoreless streak, electrifying fans with his signature screwball and distinctive skyward glance during his windup. That magical season saw him win Rookie of the Year, the Cy Young Award, and a World Series title, a feat unmatched in baseball history.
But Valenzuela’s impact extended far beyond statistics. His arrival helped heal decades-old wounds in the Mexican American community around Chavez Ravine, where many families had been displaced when Dodger Stadium was built. Every fourth day, the stadium would fill with passionate fans who saw in Fernando not just an athlete, but a symbol of their own dreams and potential. His presence transformed Dodger Stadium into a celebration of Mexican American culture, with mariachi music and Spanish broadcasts becoming permanent fixtures of the Dodger experience.
Known for his unshakeable composure and competitive spirit, Valenzuela showed that greatness wasn’t just about natural talent – it was about heart. His legendary 147-pitch complete game victory in Game 3 of the 1981 World Series, despite allowing 16 baserunners, exemplified his determination to find a way to win even without his best stuff. That game stayed with me throughout my own pitching career. All pitchers find themselves trying to find “it”, when they don’t have their best stuff. The challenge — and lesson from Fernando — is that you can win even when you don’t.
In a career that spanned 17 Major League seasons, Valenzuela won 173 games, earned six All-Star selections, and threw a no-hitter in 1990. That game became immortalized by one of Vin Scully’s most iconic calls: “If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky!” (video below)
Valenzuela is survived by his wife Linda and his children. His impact on baseball, Los Angeles, and the Mexican American community will never be forgotten.