What Happened to Fernando Valenzuela? Former Dodgers Pitcher Passes Away

What Happened to Fernando Valenzuela? Former Dodgers Pitcher Passes Away

As a gamer who grew up in Los Angeles during the 80s, Fernando Valenzuela was more than just a baseball player to me. He was a symbol of hope, resilience, and the power of dreams. I remember the Fernandomania era vividly, how his electrifying performances on the mound ignited a passion for baseball in a whole generation of Latino kids like myself. His journey from Mexico to the major leagues was an inspiration that transcended sports.


Legendary MLB figure Fernando Valenzuela has sadly succumbed to long-standing health issues. Known for his remarkable rise and significant impact on the Latino community in Los Angeles, Valenzuela’s passing was confirmed by his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on Tuesday.

Here are all the available details about Valenzuela’s tragic demise.

Fernando Valenzuela dead at 63, claims report

On October 22, the individual who won the Golden Gloe Award in 1986, Fernando Valenzuela, passed away at a hospital in Los Angeles. At this time, the specific reasons behind his death, as well as any health issues he may have been battling, remain undisclosed.

Back in 1981, with Jerry Reuss getting injured at the last minute, I, Freddie Valenzuela, got my chance with the Dodgers. Little did I know that this opportunity would kickstart a 16-year career filled with shine on the field. Although people often remember me for my decade with the Dodgers, they might be surprised to learn that I also wore the uniforms of five other teams during my time in baseball. Post-Dodger days, I pitched for the California Angels before their demise, the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and finally, the St. Louis Cardinals.

1997 marked the year Fernando Valenzuela retired from baseball, having won one World Series, earned six All-Star nominations, and received two Silver Slugger Awards, in addition to numerous other honors. The excitement surrounding Fernando Valenzuela reached fever pitch in 1981 when he was awarded both the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year, a phenomenon fans affectionately referred to as Fernandomania.

After retiring, Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers, first as a commentator for their Spanish-language radio and later for their television show. However, he unexpectedly resigned from this position in September 2024 because of health issues, and it was recently reported that he had been admitted to a hospital.

Following the sad demise of Fernando Valenzuela, Rob Manfred, commissioner of Major League Baseball (MLB), has announced that the Dodgers will pay tribute to this legendary player before their World Series matchup against the New York Yankees begins. Valenzuela is survived by his wife Linda, sons Fernando Jr. and Ricky, daughters Linda and Maria, and seven grandchildren.

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2024-10-23 15:40