Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela useless at age 63 – NBC New York
Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has died after being admitted to a hospital earlier this month for an unspecified well being downside, the Dodgers confirmed Tuesday.
Valenzuela was 63 years outdated.
The Mexican native was thought-about one of many iconic gamers in Main League Baseball historical past because the dominant southpaw pitcher grew to become the primary and solely participant to win the Cy Younger Award and the Rookie of the 12 months Award in the identical season in 1981.
As he additionally grew to become the primary rookie to steer the Nationwide League in strikeouts in 1981, the Dodgers received the World Sequence that season. He made his MLB debut at age 19 with the Dodgers on Sept. 15, 1980.
Valenzuela, who was nicknamed “El Toro,” the Bull, by his followers, drew numerous Mexican American followers to Dodger video games, sparking a craze often known as Fernandomania.
Valenzuela retired from baseball after the 1997 season, ending his profession with a 173-153 document and a 3.54 ERA. He pitched in 453 video games and made 424 begins.
Fernando Valenzuela, the 1981 NL Cy Younger Winner, died on Tuesday at age 63.
In 2003, he returned to the Dodgers as a Spanish-language broadcaster.
His No. 34 was certainly one of 12 retired by the Dodgers.
Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten issued an announcement expressing the crew’s grief over the lack of Valenzuela.
“He is among the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” Kasten’s assertion learn. “He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained near our hearts ever since, not solely as a participant but in addition as a broadcaster. He has left us all too quickly. Our deepest condolences exit to his spouse Linda and his household.”
Valenzuela is survived by his spouse, 4 kids and 7 grandchildren.
