Photos | Remembering the life of Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela
By Los Angeles Times staff,
2 days ago
Dodgers pitching legend Fernando Valenzuela at Dodger Stadium in March 2011. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Considered one of the greatest pitchers in Dodgers history, Fernando Valenzuela 's impact stretched beyond a World Series title and his accomplishments on the mound.
Valenzuela's meteoric rise with the Dodgers in 1981 ignited " Fernandomania ", creating a bond between the Dodgers and Latino fans that continues to run strong more than four decades after his major-league debut.
After leaving the Dodgers in 1991, he played for the Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals before retiring in 1997. He returned to the Dodgers in 2003, joining Jaime Jarrin in the team's Spanish-language radio broadcast booth.
Take a look back at the life and career of the legendary Dodgers pitcher and radio broadcaster, who died at 63 on Tuesday:
Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, right, races with Mike Scioscia during a workout at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 1, 1981. (Los Angeles Times) Fernando Valenzuela warms up at Dodger Stadium in 1980. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela is surrounded by students during a visit to Sheridan Street Elementary in December 1984. (Los Angeles Times) Fernando Valenzuela lets Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda inspect his pitching grip during spring training in March 1983. (Joe Kennedy / Los Angeles Times) Dodgers scout Mike Brito, left, smiles as Fernando Valenzuela celebrates with teammates after the Dodgers' World Series win over the New York Yankees in October 1981. Brito was responsible for the Dodgers signing Valenzuela in 1979. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Los Angeles Times) Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela raises a magnum of champagne after the Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros to clinch the National League West Division title on Oct. 12, 1981. (Joe Kennedy / Los Angeles Times) Fernando Valenzuela and his soon-to-be wife Linda Margarita Burgos Metri prepare to be married at the Immaculate Mary Church, in Merida, Mexico, on Dec. 29, 1981. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Los Angeles Times) Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela signs autographs at Dodger Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Los Angeles Times) Fernando Valenzuela, left, presents Clayton Kershaw with his first Cy Young Award before a game at Dodger Stadium on April 11, 2012. (Los Angeles Times) Fernando Valenzuela throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) Fernando Valenzuela throws ceremonial the first pitch after his No. 34 jersey was retired by the Dodgers on Aug. 11, 2023. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers' broadcaster and legendary pitcher, receives the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Outstanding Americans by Choice recognition award during a naturalization ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 29, 2022. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela at Dodger Stadium in March 2011. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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