NFL
By George Lopez
On opening day of the 1981 MLB season, Jerry Reuss was scheduled to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Reuss was unable to make the start due to an injury. To replace Reuss, the Dodgers turned to 20-year-old rookie Fernando Valenzuela to take the mound. Valenzuela pitched a gem, throwing a complete game in leading the Dodgers to a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros. With that start, Fernadomania was born as Valenzuela electrified Dodger fans and baseball fans all across the country.
The world of baseball is in mourning as Fernando Valenzuela succumbed to an illness and passed away on October 22, 2024. Valenzuela’s impact was more than just the numbers he put up on the field. Valenzuela’s arrival to the Dodgers brought in new fans across baseball and his impact can still be felt to this day.
Valenzuela began his rookie campaign with an 8-0 record that included 5 shutouts. Valenzuela ended his rookie season with a 13-7 record while winning both the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year. Dodger fans will never forget Valenzuela’s start in Game 3 of the World Series. Trailing the Yankees 2-0, the Dodgers turned to Fernando in a must-win game. Struggling with control, Valenzuela pitched a determined game throwing 147 pitches in a complete game 5-4 victory that turned the series around and helped lead the Dodgers to a championship
While Valenzuela was impressive with his on-field performance, it was what was happening off the field with his arrival that created the mystique of Fernadomania. The Hispanic community, angered by families forced from their homes in Chavez Ravine so Dodgers Stadium could be built, did not support the Dodgers. Valenzuela’s emergence brought Mexican Americans to Dodgers Stadium in droves.
With Valenzuela, the Hispanic community finally had a star player they could relate to. Valenzuela’s impact wasn’t just felt at Dodgers Stadium, fans from all NL teams wanted to know if Fernando would be pitching when the Dodgers visited their teams.
When his playing career ended, Valenzuela remained a part of the Dodgers when he joined their Spanish broadcasting team. Valenzuela marveled both new fans as well as fans who had the privilege of seeing him pitch with his keen insight while broadcasting games.
The impact of Fernando Valenzuela and what he meant not only to the team, but to the community led the Dodgers to retire Valenzuela’s #34. The Dodgers have a tradition of only retiring numbers of players inducted into MLB’s Hall of Fame. Valenzuela’s importance to the team and the cultural impact he had allowed the Dodgers to break from their tradition and rightfully hang his number along with other Dodger greats.
The legacy of Fernando Valenzuela will live on. His impact both on the field as a pitcher and his importance as a cultural icon transcended baseball. As Dodger fans and baseball fans all across the world mourn his passing, they find joy in the memories he has left all of us. May you find peace and rest in paradise.
