Los Angeles Dodgers and fans react to Fernando Valenzuela’s death
LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Fernando Valenzuela, the wildly popular pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1980s, has died at the age of 63.
Valenzuela, who was born in Mexico, burst onto the baseball scene as a rookie with the Dodgers in 1981. That season, he won the Cy Young Award, was named the National League Rookie of the Year, and inspired "Fernandomania."
The news of his death was announced Tuesday night by the Dodgers, but no cause of death was released.
After his playing career, Valenzuela worked for the Dodgers as a broadcaster for more than 20 years, and the team retired his number 34 in 2023.
Venezuela is survived by his wife, two daughters, and seven grandchildren.
Following the news of his death, Dodgers fans alike gathered at Dodger Stadium to pay their respects to the legendary pitcher,. They left flowers, candles, Dodgers hats, as well as baseballs as a nod to his iconic screwball.
It was an emotional tribute for fans who say Valenzuela was an inspiration, especially for those in the Latino community.
"I think he brought baseball to the City of Angels. I think he was here for, he pulled in all of the Latinos as fans...I think he really pulled Los Angeles together," said Marcia Cagigas, a Dodgers fan.
"We have a good memory, we have a picture of my dad with him. So my dad got to know him personally. So my dad watched baseball, we were not into it, but I remember in the 80's he watched it a lot," said Monica Rodriguez, another Dodgers fan.
"He meant a lot to us Mexicans. He came from Mexico. Just a great Dodger player, great screwball player," said Steven Rodriguez, another Dodgers fan.
"I came out here tonight because Fernando Valenzuela meant a lot to our family and the community of L.A.," said Elma Stone, another Dodgers fan.
