Former MLB superstar Fernando Valenzuela dead at age 63
Written By
Zahid Noor
Fernando Valenzuela, the legendary pitcher whose incredible rise to stardom with the Los Angeles Dodgers captivated baseball fans and created the cultural phenomenon known as “Fernandomania,” died on Tuesday, according to the Dodgers. Valenzuela was 63.Prior to the Dodgers’ postseason run in 2024, the team announced Valenzuela would step away from his usual radio broadcast duties for the rest of the season “to focus on his health.”
Written By
Zahid Noor
“He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” president and CEO of the club Stan Kasten said in a statement.
Written By
Zahid Noor
From 1983 to 1987, Valenzuela averaged 262 innings pitched and 13 complete games for the Dodgers. He had a streak of 255 consecutive starts, which ended in August 1988. He registered 20 complete games in 1986, when he won a league-high 21 games and had a 3.14 ERA. He had 96 complete games in his first seven seasons.He retired in 1997, and Valenzuela remains among the franchise leaders in wins (141), strikeouts (1,759), innings pitched (2,348⅔), starts (320), complete games (107) and shutouts (29).
Written By
Zahid Noor
The Dodgers, breaking from their tradition of only retiring the numbers of Hall of Famers, retired his No. 34 during a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium in August 2023. The number had been unofficially retired, and never worn by another player, since Valenzuela had been let go by the team 32 years earlier.
Written By
Zahid Noor
Valenzuela, who became a U.S. citizen in 2015, served on the coaching staff for Mexico during the World Baseball Classic in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017. He was a part owner of the Mexican League team Tigres de Quintana Roo, with son Fernando serving as team president and son Ricky serving as general manager. Fernando Valenzuela Jr. played in the Padres and Chicago White Sox organizations as a first baseman.In addition to his sons, Valenzuela is survived by his wife, Linda, who was a schoolteacher from Mexico whom he married in 1981, and daughters Linda and Maria, as well as seven grandchildren.