In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela took the baseball world by storm.
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His performance on the mound launched “Fernandomania” and he went on to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.
As Southern California fans say adios to the Los Angeles Dodgers legend, who died Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 63, here is a look at his career in photos.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela pitches in the All-Star Game on Aug. 8, 1981, in Cleveland. Valenzuela died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo, File)
Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, left, greets the newly named National League Cy Young Award winner, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, center, as Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda, looks on in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 1981. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon)
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela autographs baseballs for teachers from St. Joseph Catholic School in Placentia on May 31, 1981, before game against the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angles. (AP Photo/Ramussen)
Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela receives flowers from three East Los Angeles fans during a baseball clinic in Los Angeles on May 16, 1981. (AP Photo/RR)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Fernando Valenzuela relaxes before a game by kicking a small rubber ball around at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 9, 1984. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela blows bubbles as he passes the time in the dugout during a rain delay before Game 3 of the National League playoffs against the Montreal Expos in Montreal on Oct. 18, 1981. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manager Tommy Lasorda strums a guitar after Fernando Valenzuela is named Rookie of the Year in 1981 on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 1981. (AP Photo/Wally Fong)
Looking more like a cowboy than a baseball player, Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching ace Fernando Valenzuela waves from atop the Grand Marshal’s float during the Christmas parade in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 23, 1981. (AP Photo/Thanh My Huynh)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela is doused with champagne by teammate Tom Niedenfuer after the Dodgers win the National League title over the Montreal Expos on Oct. 20, 1981, in Montreal. (AP Photo/MacAlpine, File)
A box of Corn Flakes with Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela is seen in an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on July 11, 2023. (Photo by Mark Acosta, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela signs autographs prior to a game against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, March 29, 2018, in Los Angeles. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
With a large poster of himself in his prime as a Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, Fernando Valenzuela answers reporters’ questions at a news conference announcing his return to the Dodger organization as a Spanish-language color commentator, at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, June 5, 2003. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, right, makes his return to the Dodgers organization as a Spanish-language broadcaster as the Dodgers play the Chicago White Sox on Friday, May 6, 2003, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jerome T. Nakagawa)
Dodger broadcaster and former pitcher Fernando Valenzuela waves to the crowd after a tribute at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (File photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela meets young fans who are part of his “Los Amigos de Fernando.” The former Dodger pitching ace entertained 38 kids by inviting them to the field to sign autographs and pose for pictures before a game against the Atlanta Braves on July 5, 2007. (File photo by John McCoy, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela is seen Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015, with his family on his bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (File photo by Keith Birmingham/ Pasadena Star-News)
Former Los Angeles Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela throws the ceremonial pitch as announcer Vin Scully watches before game two of the World Series against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, in Los Angeles. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela throws out the first pitch after his number 34 was retired at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ex-Dodgers Manny Mota and Orel Hershiser reveal Fernando Valenzuela’s number 34 with other Dodger retired numbers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela is seen Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, during a ceremony to retire his number 34 at Dodger Stadium. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela is seen Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, during a ceremony to retire his number 34 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
From left, Mike Scioscia, Sandy Koufax and Fernando Valenzuela are seen Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, during a ceremony to retire Valenzuela’s number 34 at Dodger Stadium. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela’s family announces that “it’s time for Dodger baseball” before a Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, game at Dodger Stadium. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
From left, Rick Monday, Steve Yeager, Fernando Valenzuela, Dusty Baker and Peter O’Malley are seen Friday, June 23, 2023, during pre-game ceremonies at Dodger Stadium. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela, left, and his former catcher Mike Scioscia are seen Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, after the first pitch at Dodger Stadium. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela speaks to the news media before a ceremony to retire his jersey number at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Fernando Valenzuela speaks to the news media before a ceremony to retire his jersey number at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mike Scioscia, left, greets Fernando Valenzuela before he threw out the ceremonial pitch before an Opening Day game between the Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, March 30, 2023. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela is seen Saturday, June 10, 2017, during an old-timers’ game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
From left, former Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Orel Hershiser, Fernando Valenzuela and Sandy Koufax, are seen before a game against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, March 29, 2018. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
From left, former Los Angeles Dodgers greats Steve Yeager and Fernando Valenzuela are seen with broadcaster Vin Scully before game two of the World Series against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers celebrated the 1981 World Series championship with former manager Tommy Lasorda, left, former pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, middle, and Jerry Reuss at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, March 31, 2011. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
P.J. Sevilla, from the Imperial Valley, third from left, created Fernando Valenzuela shirts for his entire family to attend the ceremony retiring Fernando Valenzuela’s jersey number at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023. (File photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers fans pose for photos in front of a Fernando Valenzuela sign prior to an Opening Day game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals in Los Angeles on Friday, April 9, 2021. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodger legend and broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela is seen at Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Fernando Valenzuela signs autographs during the Dodgers Fanfest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, in Los Angeles. (File photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
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The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Fernando Valenzuela pitches in the All-Star Game on Aug. 8, 1981, in Cleveland. Valenzuela died Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo, File)
Valenzuela’s death comes as the Dodgers prepare on Friday, Oct. 25, to start the 2024 World Series with a game at home against the New York Yankees. Valenzuela, who pitched in the 1981 World Series the last time the Dodgers faced the Yankees in the Fall Classic, will be honored during the series, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has said.
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