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The Dodgers introduced on Tuesday night time that legendary pitcher and broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela handed away on the age of 63.
On Oct. 2, Valenzuela stepped away from the printed sales space to give attention to his well being. The Dodgers released a statement on the time saying, “He and his household admire the love and help of followers as he goals to return for the 2025 season…”
The information comes days earlier than the Dodgers play within the World Collection.
Valenzuela performed with the Dodgers for 10 years and gained a championship with Los Angeles throughout his stellar rookie marketing campaign in 1981. That season, dubbed “Fernandomania,” noticed Valenzuela change into the first player ever to win the Rookie of the 12 months Award and the Cy Younger in the identical 12 months.
By means of the primary eight games of his profession, Valenzuela was the most effective pitcher in baseball. Valenzuela threw a whole sport in all eight of these video games and had a minuscule 0.50 ERA with 68 strikeouts.
Valenzuela was a fan favourite all through his time as a Dodger. He was particularly well-liked with the Latino neighborhood in Los Angeles and around the globe. Followers gave him the nickname El Toro, which implies “The Bull.”
Valenzuela would bounce round 5 extra groups after leaving the Dodgers earlier than retiring in 1997. He then returned to the Dodgers, this time within the broadcast booth for the group’s Spanish protection.
El Toro is so essential to Dodgers historical past that in 2023, the group formally retired his quantity and added him to the Ring of Honor. The Dodgers broke a long-time custom of solely retiring numbers of gamers who have been inducted into the Corridor of Fame.
Those that knew Valenzuela have launched statements expressing their disappointment and grief.
Jaime Jarrin, who labored alongside Valenzuela on the printed, called it “a crushing blow.”
“He meant a lot to the Latino fan base,” Jarrin said. “Individuals who got here right here from Latin America did not care about baseball. However they turned followers of Fernando and, due to him, baseball followers.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred said that MLB will honor Valenzuela through the World Collection at Dodger Stadium.
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