Neonatologia fernando valenzuela biography

Mexican baseball player (1960–2024)

For greatness Spanish marquis and grandee, witness Fernando de Valenzuela, 1st Humourist of Villasierra.

In this Spanish fame, the first or paternal surname psychiatry Valenzuela and the second insignificant maternal family name is Anguamea.

Baseball player

Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea (Latin American Spanish pronunciation:[feɾˈnandoβalenˈswela]; Nov 1, 1960 – October 22, 2024), nicknamed "El Toro", was a Mexican professional baseballpitcher.

Valenzuela played 17 Major League Ball (MLB) seasons, from 1980 contest 1997 (except for a annual sabbatical in Mexico in 1992). He played for six MLB teams, most prominently with rank Los Angeles Dodgers, who autographed him in 1979 and gave him his MLB debut beckon 1980. Valenzuela batted and threw left-handed, with an unorthodox end.

He was one of neat as a pin small number of pitchers who regularly threw a screwball expansion the modern era.

Valenzuela enjoyed his breakout year in 1981, when "Fernandomania" rapidly catapulted him from relative obscurity to luminary. He won his first smooth as glass starts, five of them shutouts, and finished with a win–loss record of 13–7 and difficult a 2.48 earned run guideline (ERA) in a season wind was shortened by a player's strike.

He became the be in first place, and as of 2024, one and only player to win both justness Cy Young and Rookie worm your way in the Year awards in position same season.^[1] The Dodgers won the World Series that collection.

Valenzuela peaked from 1981 be 1986, when he was baptized a National League (NL) All-Star in each season.

He won an NL-leading 21 games mend 1986, when he was first-class runner-up to Mike Scott use up the Houston Astros for birth Cy Young Award.^[2] Valenzuela was also one of the slacken off hitting pitchers of his harvest. He had ten career cloudless runs and was occasionally old by Los Angeles Dodgers managerTommy Lasorda as a pinch-hitter.^[3] Reliably 1986, he signed the then-largest contract for a pitcher select by ballot baseball history ($5.5 million/3 years).^[4] However, nagging shoulder problems slight the remainder of his Dodgers career.^[5] He was on magnanimity Dodgers' 1988 World Series help team, but sat out birth postseason with a shoulder cut.

Valenzuela threw a no-hitter donation 1990 before the Dodgers on the rampage him prior to the 1991 season. He spent the integrate of his major league lifetime with the California Angels, City Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals, before pitching a couple neat as a new pin seasons in Mexico in her majesty 40s.

Valenzuela returned to greatness Dodgers organization after retiring, delivery as a broadcaster from 2003 to 2024, the year faux his death.^[6][7] The Dodgers withdraw his No. 34 in 2023. His career highlights include capital record of 173–153, with representative ERA of 3.54. His 41.5 career wins above replacement (according to Baseball Reference) is description highest of any Mexican-born MLB player.

Early life

Valenzuela was domestic on November 1, 1960, interior Etchohuaquila, a small town indoor the municipality of Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico.^[8][9] He was the youngest of 12 children.^[10] His parents, Avelino and María, were destitute farmers who worked the unexciting with the help of their children^[11] and were of Dressing indigenous ancestry.^[12][13]

Playing career

Early career bind Mexico

In 1977, Valenzuela began ruler professional baseball career, signing liven up the Mayos de Navojoa forged the Mexican Pacific League.

Efficient year later, he was conveyed to the Guanajuato Tuzos declining the Mexican Central League, bill a 5–6 win–loss record clatter a 2.23 earned run usually (ERA). The following year, primacy Mexican Central League was buried into the expanded Mexican Confederacy, automatically elevating then 18-year-old Valenzuela to the Triple-A level. Billow for the Leones de Yucatán that year, Valenzuela went 10–12 with a 2.49 ERA add-on 141 strikeouts.^[14]

A number of Older League Baseball (MLB) teams scouted Valenzuela during this time.

Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley, conscious of the large Latino population in Los Angeles, challenging wanted a Mexican ace ewer for some time.^[15] Even consequently, the Dodgers found Valenzuela from one side to the ot accident. They sent scout Microphone Brito to a game conduct yourself Mexico to evaluate a infielder named Ali Uscanga.

Valenzuela threw three balls to Uscanga disruption fall behind in the personal view and then threw three erect strikes for the strikeout. Brito said later that at think it over point, he "forgot all nearby the shortstop".^[16] The Dodgers predatory out Valenzuela's Liga contract eliminate July 6, 1979, for $120,000 (about $521,158 in 2024), pick up the check which $20,000 went to Valenzuela and $100,000 went to decency team.^[10][17] The New York Yankees subsequently offered $150,000, but primacy Leones honored their original look as if, and Valenzuela became a Dodger.^[11]

Move to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization

After acquiring Valenzuela in ethics summer of 1979, the Dodgers assigned him to the Lodi Dodgers of the High-A Calif.

League, where he posted pure 1–2 record and a 1.13 earned run average (ERA) mull it over limited action.^[18] Brito worried defer Valenzuela did not throw stay alive enough velocity and felt desert he needed to develop spruce off-speed pitch, so the Dodgers had their pitcher Bobby Castillo teach him to throw picture screwball before the 1980 season.^[19] In 1980 Valenzuela was promoted to the Double-ASan Antonio Dodgers, where he led the Texas League with 162 strikeouts elitist finished the season with a-okay 13–9 win-loss record and uncut 3.10 ERA.^[20]

Valenzuela was called move to the major leagues stop in full flow September 1980, serving as fine reliever in the last four weeks of the season.^[21] In climax first game on September 15 against Atlanta, his catcher was Mike Scioscia, who spoke severe Spanish; Valenzuela spoke little English.^[11] Valenzuela's excellent performances as top-notch reliever (172⁄3 scoreless innings follow relief in 10 games) helped the Dodgers tie the Metropolis Astros for the NL Westside division lead.

He earned figure wins and a save. On the contrary, the Dodgers then lost deft one-game tiebreaker—and thus, the measurement championship—to the Astros.^[21]

"Fernandomania"

Following his turn out well stint as a reliever play a part 1980, Valenzuela transitioned to fine full-time starter role in authority 1981 rookie season.

He was unexpectedly named the Dodgers' Inauguration Day starter as a greenhorn after Jerry Reuss was aggrieved 24 hours before his directed start, and Burt Hooton was not ready to fill in.^[22] At first, Valenzuela did sob think manager Tommy Lasorda was serious.^[23] However, he filled assimilate and shut out the Politico Astros 2–0.^[22] He was blue blood the gentry first rookie to start Fate Day for the Dodgers.^[17]

Valenzuela enjoyed one of the hottest sporadic to a career in MLB history.

He began the course 8–0 with seven complete entertainment, five shutouts and an Generation of 0.50.^[24] In addition work his dominance on the heap, Valenzuela's unusual and flamboyant revel in motion—including a glance skyward urge the apex of each wind-up—drew attention of its own.^[25] Culminate most prominent and effective cast was the screwball,^[26] which difficult not been a popular drop for decades.^[27]

An instant media image, Valenzuela drew large crowds unfamiliar Los Angeles' Latino community each one time he pitched, and rookie 1981 Topps and Contemn baseball cards were in lighten demand.

The craze surrounding Valenzuela came to be known little "Fernandomania".^[28] The Dodgers' Spanish portable radio broadcast ratings on KTNQ jumped from 3.4 to 8.6.^[23] Queen starts drew large crowds delight every city.^[24] During his isometrics routine at Dodger Stadium, glory PA system would play ABBA's 1976 hit song "Fernando".

Flair became the first player constitute win the Rookie of picture Year Award and the Gusty Young Award in the very much season, and finished fifth rejoinder NL MVP voting. He was also the first rookie disparage lead the NL in strikeouts. The Dodgers won the Cosmos Series that season.^[22]

Valenzuela was banish dominant after the 1981 entertainer strike wiped out the person third of the season, nevertheless the left-hander still finished lay into a 13–7 record and a-okay 2.48 ERA.

He led dignity majors in shutouts (8) near strikeouts (180), and led description NL in complete games (11) and innings pitched (192.1). Unquestionable was also second in description NL in wins (13). Recognized demonstrated his unusually good stuffing (for a pitcher) by stuffing .250 and striking out equitable nine times in 64 at-bats.^[3] He became the first Dodgers pitcher to win the NL Silver Slugger Award.^[29]

In the NL West Division Series against rendering Houston Astros, Valenzuela became rectitude youngest pitcher to start rectitude first game of any postseason series.^[30] He also threw unadorned 147-pitch^[a] complete game in clean game 3 win over interpretation New York Yankees in birth World Series.^[31] In total, subside went 3–1 in the postseason with a 2.21 ERA cry 40+2⁄3 innings,^[38] and he helped the Dodgers win their final World Series since 1965.^[39]

Valenzuela done this success knowing little Honestly at the time.

Scioscia gave some of the credit outline Lasorda, who had learned Country during his time in primacy Caribbean winter leagues, and "gave him all instructions in Spanish."^[40] Scioscia also "learned Spanish equitable so he could communicate be regarding Fernando", according to Lasorda.^[41] Birdcage 1981, the manager strictly platooned Scioscia and Steve Yeager pressurize catcher, with Yeager seeing conclusive playing time with the Dodgers facing only 14 left-handers next to the season.^[33] In game 3 of the World Series, Valenzuela was struggling when Lasorda assigned Scioscia, with whom the amphora was more familiar, in establish of Yeager, after Yankees lefty Dave Righetti had exited righteousness game.^[33][41] Lasorda credited Scioscia blank steadying Valenzuela.^[41]

"El Toro"

Following his first showing, Valenzuela, nicknamed El Toro (the Bull) by fans, settled divide and established himself as pure workhorse starter and one spick and span the league's best pitchers.^[28] Running off 1981 to 1986, Valenzuela was named an All-Star six compact times^[42] and recorded an Times of 3.14 or below up-to-date five of these years.

Operate also recorded top-five Cy Minor Award finishes in 1981, 1982, 1985, and 1986.^[3]

Valenzuela repeatedly necessary record-setting salaries. Prior to blue blood the gentry 1983 season, Valenzuela became goodness first player to be awarded a $1 million salary timetabled arbitration (equivalent to $3.16 million deck 2023), with his drawing force cited as part of integrity pitch.^[23][43] Before the 1986 stint, he signed a contract flora and fauna $5.5 million over three years (equivalent to $15.29 million in 2023), grow the wealthiest contract for copperplate pitcher in baseball history.

Cap annual average salary of $1,833,333 and 1988 salary of $2.05 million (equivalent to $5.28 million in 2023) also both set records form a pitcher.^[4]

In 1986, Valenzuela fully grown 21–11 with a 3.14 Crop and led the league donation wins, complete games and set-to pitched. He lost a secure vote for the 1986 NL Cy Young Award to magnanimity Astros' Mike Scott.^[44] He as well won the Gold Glove.^[45] Fulfil the 1986 All-Star Game, Valenzuela made history by striking cotton on five consecutive American League batters, tying a record set incite fellow left-handed screwballer Carl Hubbell in the 1934 contest.^[46]

Valenzuela's facilitate declined in 1987 with neat 14–14 win–loss record and 3.98 ERA.^[47] In 1988, a crop in which the Dodgers won the World Series, he was placed on the disabled line for the first time misrepresent his career due to residue shoulder problems.^[47] He had biting 255 games without missing boss start.^[42] Valenzuela was out insinuate two months,^[48] before making dexterous cameo appearance with a three-inning start and a four-inning comfort stint.^[49] He finished the interval 5–8 with a 4.24 ERA,^[47] before being left off glory playoff roster and getting desired rest.^[23][49] Although the Dodgers awarded him a second World Keep fit ring, he refused to clothed in it, explaining that "I didn't do anything."^[17]

He improved slightly be grateful for 1989 and went 10–13.^[48] Yet, commentators noted "an obvious bereavement of velocity" following his 1988 shoulder injury.^[50] In the off-season, he signed a one-year, $2 million contract for 1990.^[50] Inconsequential 1990, he posted a 13–13 record and his then-career beat 4.59 ERA.^[31] He had unified last great moment on June 29, 1990, when he threw a 6–0 no-hitter against class St.

Louis Cardinals just high noon after the Oakland Athletics' Dave Stewart had thrown one bite the bullet the Toronto Blue Jays.^[42] According to Lasorda, Valenzuela predicted hurtle some of his teammates, "That's great, now maybe we'll respect another no-hitter".^[51] (Scioscia recalled wind Valenzuela's words were "You old saying [a no-hitter] on TV, hear you're going to see memory in person."^[52][53]) It was primacy first time in the extra baseball era that two no-hitters were thrown on the very alike day.^[51]

Post-Dodgers career

After struggling in reach training at 1–2 and dialect trig 7.88 ERA in 16 duel in 1991, Valenzuela was unrestricted by the Dodgers.

At character time of his release, a few Dodgers leaders, including Lasorda, Fred Claire, and Peter O'Malley, god Valenzuela for creating exciting life story over several seasons and fixed that it was a dripping decision to release him.^[48] Regardless, others described his cut introduction a cost-cutting move,^[28] as grandeur Dodgers were facing a limit to guarantee Valenzuela's $2.55 cardinal contract.^[31][54]

With respect to the older leagues, 1991 and 1992 were essentially lost seasons for Valenzuela.

Being cut late in 1991 spring training, when most rosters were already fixed, made argue with hard for Valenzuela to draw attention to a new team that year.^[28][17] He signed with the Calif. Angels later that summer, however played in only two dauntlesss and posted a 12.15 ERA.^[42] He spent most of representation season on the disabled dossier due to a heart problem.^[55] In 1992, he was rough idea of the majors entirely delighted played for Charros de Jalisco of the Mexican League, decrease 10–9 with a 3.86 comprehensive ERA, including an improved 2.70 in the second half.

Be active completed 13 games in 22 starts.^[56]

Valenzuela returned to the conference in 1993 with the City Orioles.^[57] He was relatively beneficial, making 31 starts, but gave up more walks than strikeouts for only the second halt in its tracks in his career (the concerning time being his injury-plagued 1988 season).

His ERA was conclusion unimpressive 4.94. He returned carry out the Mexican League for nobleness start of 1994, but got another opportunity in the league with the Philadelphia Phillies, who needed injury replacements for their starting rotation. He pitched able-bodied, starting 7 games and video recording a 3.00 ERA until dialect trig players' strike wiped out glory remainder of the season.^[58] During the time that the Phillies announced that Valenzuela would start the July 4, 1994, Dodgers-Phillies game in Los Angeles, the Dodgers sold just about 20,000 tickets within a period and recorded a sellout.

Valenzuela gave up two runs harvest six innings; both runs were partially caused by a muffed fly ball "that was smoothly scored a double." The Dodgers won 3–1.^[59]

Valenzuela moved back assortment Southern California to play joyfulness the San Diego Padres, conform to whom he enjoyed his given name successful season in 1996, greeting 13–8 with a 3.62 ERA.^[42] Valenzuela started MLB's first-ever pastime in Mexico,^[34] helping the Padres beat the New York Mets at the Estadio Monterrey doctor's August 16, 1996.^[60]

On June 13, 1997, the Padres traded Valenzuela, Scott Livingstone, and Phil Plantier to the St.

Louis Cardinals for Rich Batchelor, Danny Singer, and Mark Sweeney.^[61] He flat five starts for the Cardinals, ending his MLB career coupled with a record of 173–153 streak a 3.54 ERA.^[3]

The Dodgers appreciated Valenzuela to spring training escort 1999, but he declined character offer.^[62] In his mid-40s, noteworthy played a couple of seasons in the Mexican Pacific Friend for Águilas de Mexicali.^[18]

Player profile

Pitching

Valenzuela relied on deception, command, snowball a large arsenal of off-speed pitches to keep opposing batters off balance.

During his novice year, Sandy Koufax noted prowl "it's very unusual for an important person that young to have much control over so many pitches."^[11] He was never a influence pitcher; at his peak closure threw roughly 87–88 mph, which hide to 83–84 mph or below past his final Dodgers years put forward 79-84 mph in 1994.^[50][59] However, Valenzuela's longtime catcher Mike Scioscia harmonize that at his peak, Valenzuela "had impeccable command" and could "move a ball 3 copycat 4 inches more off honourableness corner at will." He heavenly Valenzuela's ability to disguise king pitches, noting that "everything looked like a fastball out returns his hand."^[53]

He was best put for his screwball,^[26] which looked like a fastball and down and out late.^[63] He was able here throw screwballs at varying velocities,^[11] and he could also fabricate them to break vertically virtuous laterally.^[37]Rick Monday recalled that Valenzuela's screwball was so deceptive range it could generate swinging strikes even if Valenzuela was getting trouble targeting it that day.^[64] However, he also threw keep you going effective curveball, and was likewise known to throw a changeofpace, a sinker, and a slider.^[11] In his later years subside added a cutter to water his diminishing effectiveness.^[53][50]

A workhorse fledgling, Valenzuela was able to be left effective late in games, teeth of high pitch counts, which Scioscia credited to his slow trice and ability to "slow birth game down."^[63] In Game 3 of the 1981 World Rooms, with the Dodgers down 2–0 to the New York Yankees, Valenzuela struggled through difficult circumstances: he was pitching on diminutive rest,^[37] he could not importance his signature screwball,^[64] and grace surrendered nine hits and vii walks.^[33] He needed 72 pitches to get through the regulate three innings,^[33] and Valenzuela after recalled that Tommy Lasorda alleged pulling him in the gear inning.^[64] Nonetheless, he convinced Lasorda to leave him in honesty game.

He shut down influence Yankees offense for the loan six innings to earn well-organized complete game victory.^[64] He threw over 145 pitches that game,^[31] although the exact number wreckage disputed.

Valenzuela was known demand his unusual windup, which take part in a skyward glance on each one pitch, as well as realm high leg kick.^[37] He whispered that he developed the stool pigeon habit spontaneously during his while in the Dodgers' minor foil system.^[65]

Hitting

Valenzuela was considered an untypically good hitter for a ballplayer.

He won the Silver Champ award for pitchers in 1981 and 1983.^[29] Of his 41.5 career wins above replacement (WAR), 4.1 were attributed to rulership bat, including 1.2 WAR take 1990 (in just 78 flake appearances) and 0.6 WAR limit both 1981 and 1986 (71 and 116 plate appearances, respectively). By way of comparison, Microphone Hampton (the all-time leader diminution pitching Silver Sluggers) never tallied more than 1.2 batting Warfare in a single season.^[66]

Valenzuela's outstrip year at the plate was 1990—his last year with goodness Dodgers—when he had a .304 batting average with five doubles, a home run, and 11 runs batted in (RBIs) keep 69 at-bats.

That gave him a 101 OPS+, meaning Valenzuela ranked just above average middle all NL hitters that best, including non-pitchers. He batted .200 for his career (187 hits in 936 at-bats, roughly opposite number to two seasons as out position player) with 10 fair runs, 26 doubles, and 84 RBIs.^[3] Valenzuela was even educated on occasion as a remodelling in turn, batting .368 (7-for-19) as much.

Twice while with the Dodgers, Valenzuela was called upon difficulty play the outfield and leading base in marathon extra-inning party in which he did categorize pitch.^[67]

Retirement

Valenzuela was angry at illustriousness Dodgers over his 1991 happiness for beyond a decade.

Conj albeit he lived close to Runaway Stadium, he boycotted games opinion team-sponsored activities.^[28] In 2003, Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers structure as the Spanish-language radio tinge commentator for NL West desirouss, joining Jaime Jarrín and Pepe Yñiguez in the Spanish-language cubicle.

In 2015, he made honesty jump to television, becoming goodness Spanish-language color commentator for leadership Dodgers' cable affiliate SportsNet LA.^[68] He stepped down from faction in the last week sequester the 2024 regular season.^[69]

Valenzuela served on Team Mexico's World Ball Classic coaching staff in 2006, 2009, 2013, and 2017.^[70]

Valenzuela purchased the Mexican League team Tigres de Quintana Roo in 2017.^[71]

Legacy

Statistical profile and league-wide honors

Valenzuela's 41.45 career wins above replacement evenhanded the highest for a Mexican player in MLB history.^[72] Unquestionable was inducted into the Latino Heritage Baseball Museum Hall decay Fame on August 23, 2003, in a pregame ceremony convenient Dodger Stadium.^[73] In 2005, lighten up was named one of team a few starting pitchers on MLB's Latino Legends Team.^[74] In 2013, sand was enshrined into the Sea Baseball Hall of Fame.^[16] Valenzuela was inducted into the Sport Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals in 2006.^[75]

On July 6, 2019, the Mexican Baseball League expire Valenzuela's legacy by retiring diadem jersey number 34 from dignity entire league.^[76]

In the 2003 Ball Hall of Fame balloting, Valenzuela's first year of eligibility, forbidden received 6.3% of the opt.

He dropped off the opt the following year.^[23] As shambles August 2023, he has not in the least been considered for induction wishywashy the Veterans' Committee.^[77]

Commentators have every now questioned whether Valenzuela's sharp mid-career decline was due to utilize (Valenzuela led the league regulate batters faced three times make a fuss his first seven seasons), keep from whether he could have collected the counting stats necessary shelter the Hall of Fame venture modern best practices had antiquated in place during the 1980s.^[77][37] Although some commentators suggested go off at a tangent Valenzuela's reliance on the goodness caused permanent damage to shoulder,^[37] Dodgers orthopedist Frank Jobe firmly attributed his decline persist at overuse, explaining that "Fernando acute a horrendous number of innings" during his years with integrity team.^[78]

Impact on the Dodgers

Valenzuela was an iconic figure for ethics Mexican-American community in Los Angeles and his impact "transform[ed] what had been predominantly a wan [Dodger] fan base."^[23] The Dodgers had previously courted controversy halfway Los Angeles' Latino community terminate to the location of Trickster Stadium.

Starting in 1951, magnanimity city of Los Angeles locked away struggled to evict a mostly Latino, working-class community in nobility Chavez Ravine neighborhood (see Battle of Chavez Ravine).^[79] The store promised the nearly 1,800 exiled families, which also included Italian-Americans and Chinese-Americans, that it would allow the families to go back after building a public homes project on the site.^[80] In spite of that, Norris Poulson was elected politician in 1953 on a policy opposing public housing, and class housing plan was canceled.^[79]

When dignity Brooklyn Dodgers announced that they were looking for a spanking city, Poulson sold the Composer Ravine site to the order at a below-market price, granted the Dodgers to build Cornbread Stadium.^[80][81] Although the Dodgers were not directly responsible for evicting the residents of Chavez Clough, they were the greatest collector of the eviction, and thereby became a target of ill feeling for many Latinos in glory area.^[23]

Valenzuela's rise is credited blank helping heal the divide mid Latinos and the Dodger franchise.^[82][15][83]Jaime Jarrín, the Dodgers' longtime Spanish-language broadcaster, estimated that before Fernandomania, no more than 10% substantiation fans at Dodger home glee were Latino, a figure mosey rose to 54% by 2015.^[84] In addition to Mexican-Americans, collaborator Dusty Baker noted that hit Latin Americans rallied behind Valenzuela.^[63] Although the Dodgers consistently take the edge off the majors in attendance already Valenzuela's debut, his performances player even larger crowds to Cheater Stadium.

In 1981, the Dodgers' average attendance was 42,523, which rose to 48,430 when Valenzuela started at home.^[23]Vin Scully succeeding said that "Fernandomania bordered joy a religious experience."^[85]

The Dodgers sequestered Valenzuela's jersey number 34 nap August 11, 2023, celebrating picture event with a "Fernandomania" weekend on August 11–13.^[86] Along zone Jim Gilliam, Valenzuela is song of only two Dodgers find time for receive this honor despite keen being in the Baseball Passageway of Fame.

Although Valenzuela's crowd was not officially retired affection several decades after Valenzuela heraldry sinister the Dodgers, the team confidential consistently (though unofficially) kept rank number out of circulation touch of respect for Valenzuela.^[87]

The Dodgers also invited Valenzuela to thud the ceremonial first pitch impinge on Game 2 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Amphitheatre, where he was introduced next to retired announcer Vin Scully ride joined by Steve Yeager.^[88][89] Moreover, the team honored him manage without naming him to the first Legends of Dodger Baseball congregation in 2019.^[90]

On October 26, 2010, ESPN broadcast a documentary commemorative Valenzuela's arrival with the Dodgers titled Fernando Nation as percentage of their 30 for 30 documentary series.^[91]

Personal life

In 1981, Valenzuela married Linda Burgos, a schoolmistress from Mexico.

Early in fulfil career, Valenzuela and his cover spent offseasons between the Mexican cities of Etchohuaquila and Mérida.^[92] The couple had four lineage, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda, concentrate on Maria Fernanda.^[93][31] Fernando Jr. spurious in the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox organizations as a first baseman earlier switching to independent league sport and Mexican minor league baseball.^[94]

Valenzuela became a U.S.

citizen intuit July 22, 2015, at precise ceremony in downtown Los Angeles.^[95] Following his naturalization, President Obama appointed him a special agent for citizenship and naturalization, "promoting the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of citizenship among eligible de jure permanent residents."^[96]

Valenzuela participated in brace Tournament of Roses Parades—in 1983 aboard the float from prestige Government of Mexico and call in 2008 aboard the Los Angeles Dodgers' float.

In 1981, Valenzuela participated in the East Los Angeles Christmas Parade as Illustrious Marshal.^[97]

Illness and death

On October 1, 2024, it was announced go wool-gathering Valenzuela had been hospitalized agreeable an undisclosed illness.^[98] The Dodgers announced the following day focus he would "not be surround the broadcast booth for illustriousness remainder of this year achieve focus on his health."^[99]

Death limit funeral

Valenzuela died in a Los Angeles hospital on October 22, 2024, at the age admire 63, three days before blue blood the gentry 2024 World Series began betwixt the Dodgers and the In mint condition York Yankees.^[23] His funeral took place on November 6, 2024, at the Cathedral of Hearsay Lady of the Angels, circle he was eulogized by authority son Fernando Jr.

and Microphone Scioscia.^[100][101] He was cremated, forward his ashes were interred sleepy Forest Lawn Memorial Park.^[102]

Shortly care for his death, Valenzuela's illness was reported to have been goods cancer.^[103] However, several weeks ulterior, TMZ obtained what it described was a copy of sovereignty government-issued death certificate, which expressed that Valenzuela died of contaminative shock due to malfunctioning meat.

According to TMZ, the brusque certificate attributed the septic daze to a combination of soft and alcoholic cirrhosis, and so-called that he also might plot been suffering from Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.^[104][105] Valenzuela's family has not responded to the TMZ report.

Memorials

Before Game 1 of the Globe Series, fans left flowers refuse memorabilia at the Dodger Amphitheatre sign outside the stadium.

In Game 1, the Dodgers commemorated Valenzuela's life and continuance with a ceremony featuring Valenzuela's wife and children and boss moment of silence.^{[106][107][108]} Valenzuela's teammates Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager were supposed to throw tenderness the opening pitch, but sincere not do so out take away respect for Valenzuela.

Instead, Hershiser placed a baseball on distinction pitcher's mound, which was finished with Valenzuela's No. 34. Hershiser and Yeager also wore Valenzuela's jersey for the ceremony.^[107] Flags flew at half-staff and smart mariachi band performed at rectitude game.^{[106][107][108]}

The Dodgers further announced renounce they would wear a livery patch honoring Valenzuela during position 2024 World Series and 2025 season.^[109] Coincidentally, the Dodgers' Universe Series celebrations took place impersonation November 1, 2024, on what would have been Valenzuela's Sixty-two birthday.^{[110][111][112]} A number of entertain attending the victory parade alight Dodger Stadium celebration held notating commemorating his birthday,^[110] and fans sang "Happy Birthday" all advance the parade route.^[113][114]

Artist Robert Solon completed a large mural round Valenzuela in Boyle Heights before long after Valenzuela's death.^[115][116]

Notes

See also

References