Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born ace for the Los Angeles Dodgers who ignited “Fernandomania,” has passed away at the age of 63.
The team announced that he died Tuesday night at a hospital in Los Angeles, but specifics regarding the cause of death have not been disclosed.
His passing comes just days before the Dodgers are set to host the New York Yankees in the World Series, a poignant moment for the team and its fans.
Valenzuela had stepped down from his role as a color commentator on the Dodgers’ Spanish-language broadcasts in September without providing a reason. Reports indicated he had been hospitalized earlier this month. Known for his approachable demeanor, he was a familiar face at Dodger Stadium, where fans often sought him out for photographs and autographs.
During the 1980s, Valenzuela was celebrated as one of the most formidable pitchers in Major League Baseball, captivating audiences and earning accolades such as the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981. Although he was never inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, his legacy endures in Cooperstown, which houses memorabilia including a signed ball from his no-hitter in 1990.
This story is still developing.
