Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers announced on Tuesday night that Fernando Valenzuela died at the age of 63.
Fernandomania was before my time, but everything I’ve ever seen and read about it led me to believe it was one of the most special times in baseball history — not just Dodger history.
Valenzuela made his MLB debut in 1980 at age 19, something unheard of these days, especially for a pitcher. The 1981 season was one of legend. The left-hander had a 2.48 ERA, 2.44 FIP, threw 192 1/3 innings in 25 starts (strike-shortened campaign) that saw him complete 11 of those starts — eight of which were shutouts. He won the NL Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year and capped the year with a World Series title (coincidentally enough, over the Yankees).
As well as winning another World Series ring with the Dodgers in 1988 — in an injury-plagued season for him — he threw the only no-hitter of his career in 1990.
He threw out the first pitch of Game 2 of the 2017 World Series, with a little showmanship from the voice of the Dodgers.
Miss you too, Vin.
Fernando also goes down in Dodger lore as being part of the 1-name club — a club that, when the name is uttered, there’s zero doubt about whom it is referencing: Vin, Duke, Jackie, Sandy, Tommy and, most recently, Clayton.
And while it took way too long, the Dodgers finally retired his No. 34 on Aug. 11 of last year.
The only interaction I ever had with him was in Spring Training — sometime in 2013, 2014 or 2015 — I came back into the press box after going to shoot photos or coming from the minor-league fields. It was situated such that the journalists who wanted to watch/were covering the game sat up by the windows so they could actually see the action. There were round tables behind those seats for the rest of the media folk. When I came back, I went to grab my camera or laptop bag, and he had the audacity to ask me (dumb blogger guy) if he was in my seat. I couldn’t believe it. It was literally Fernando Valenzuela asking me that question, even if he was just having the common courtesy to do so. I said “no sir” and went about my day, as, I assume, did he. It isn’t the best or most in-depth story, but it’s something I’ll always remember.
The Dodgers will honor Valenzuela’s memory during the World Series, which begins at Dodger Stadium on Friday night.
Rest in peace, Fernando. Your mark has been left on baseball, the Dodger organization and Southern California. That will never be forgotten.
