Tuesday, October 22, 2024

RIP Fernando Valenzuela

Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has passed away at 63. From ESPN:

"His charisma was unbelievable," Hall of Fame Dodgers Spanish language announcer Jaime Jarrin, who served as Valenzuela's interpreter early in his career, said in 2023. "The fact that he came here to the major leagues [in September 1980] after spending just a few weeks in San Antonio at Double-A -- and from the beginning, he was just amazing. And the people fell in love with him. ... He was only 19 years old. Little bit chubby, long hair, Yaqui Indian features. Those things really cultivated the people and they fell in love with Fernando in a matter of a few weeks."

Valenzuela finished the 1981 season with a 13-7 record, 2.48 ERA, 11 complete games and 8 shutouts. He led the National League with 192⅓ innings pitched and topped the majors with 180 strikeouts, becoming the first player to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award.

RIP, El Toro.

photo from the Dodgers' Instagram account

3 comments:

spank said...

RIP Fernando 😢

karen said...

RIP Fernando. So sad.

Fred's Brim said...

:( :( :(