Fernando Valenzuela, Dodgers iconic Mexican pitcher, dies at 63

Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela, who brought thousands of Mexicans and Mexican Americans to love the blue, has died. 

Just after the Dodgers are about to face the New York Yankees at the World Series since 1981, when the Mexican pitcher from Etchohuaquila, Navojoa, Sonora, won his first eight games, five by shutout, and became the only player to win the Cy Young Award and the Rookie of the Year Award in the same season. 

The Dodgers won the World Series over the New York Yankees in six games, and Valenzuela was also on the Dodgers team that won the World Series in 1988 over the Oakland As.

"El Toro de Etchohuaquila," as he was affectionately called, drew thousands of Mexican-American fans to Dodgers Stadium and stadiums all over the nation, sparking a craze known as “Fernandomania.”

He finished his career with a 173-153 record and a 3.54 ERA. He pitched in 453 games and made 424 starts.

After leaving the Dodgers following the 1990 season, he pitched for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.

His No. 34 is one of 12 retired by the Dodgers. He was celebrated during a three-day "Fernandomania" weekend in August 2023. He was also inducted into the Dodgers Ring of Honor, the 14th member of the group.

In his Cy Young Award season of 1981, he led the National League in strikeouts, shutouts, complete games, innings pitched and starts.

He led the National League in wins in 1986 and had a 21-11 record with a 3.14 ERA. He also led the league in complete games and had three shutouts.

He threw a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29, 1990, the same day Dave Stewart of the Oakland A's threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.

It was the only no-hitter of Valenzuela's career. The Dodgers won the game, 6-0, and Valenzuela struck out seven, walked three and threw 119 pitches. The game ended with one of the late Dodgers play-by-play man Vin Scully's more memorable calls, "If you have a sombrero, throw it to the sky."

Valenzuela, a six-time All Star, went 141-116 with a 3.31 ERA with the Dodgers. He retired from baseball in 1997 and spent 21 seasons as a Spanish-language broadcaster, teamed most recently with Pepe Yñiguez and Jose Mota for the Dodgers.

Valenzuela was in a hospital with an unspecified health problem. He had been part of the team's Spanish-language broadcasts until the playoffs.

Valenzuela, 63, left the broadcast booth during the series between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres on Sept. 24. 

He is survived by his wife, Linda, four children and extended family. 

Additional reporting by City News Service.