Baseball Legend Fernando Valenzuela, Immigrant from Mexico, Passes Away

Baseball legend Fernando Valenzuela has died.  Born in Mexico, Valenzuela sparked “Fernandomania” in Los Angeles and brought the large LA Latino community to Dodger Stadium. He was “a hero for Latinos following baseball,” in the words of his fellow broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, as reported by Megan Garvey of LAist.  Valenzuela led the Dodgers to a World Series win in 1981 and expanded Major League Baseball’s Latino fan base.

Valenzuela became a U.S. citizen in 2015, as Beth Harris of the Associated Press reports.   He was a color commentator for the Spanish language broadcast of Dodger baseball through the regular season this year.

Valenzuela’s death has many columnists talking about his legacy.

Valenzuela’s “magic” should ensure him a spot in the Hall of Fame, columnist Gustavo Arellano writes.

Valenzuela was the man who connected L.A. to the Dodgers, columnist Bill Plaschke observes.

The Dodgers legend exuded quiet pride, understated dignity and a high baseball IQ, columnist Dylan Hernández writes.

The Los Angeles Dodgers get a chance to play this year’s World Series for Fernando Valenzuela.

The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. pic.twitter.com/MXeBlDzDWJ

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2024

KJ