Legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela has died. Valenzuela, 63, had recently been hospitalized with an undisclosed illness and his cause of death has yet to be announced. The left-handed pitcher played for six teams during his 17-year career, including the Dodgers, California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals.
A Mexican baseball icon, Valenzuela is best remembered for his 11 seasons as a member of the Dodgers, where in 1981 he burst on the scene by winning his first eight starts at the age of 20, and would eventually win the NL Cy Young Award, NL Rookie of the Year and a World Series title during his rookie season. Valenzuela retired in 1997 with a record of 173-153 and a 3.54 ERA with 2074 strikeouts and a .531 winning percentage.
Tributes to the trailblazing Mexican-born pitcher have been posted across social media, and the Dodgers and New York Yankees will honor Valenzuela before Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. The death of Valenzuela with the Dodgers playing the Yankees has provided an interesting storyline, as the two teams last faced off in the Fall Classic during Valenzuela's rookie season in 1981.
Former Phillie and legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela mourned by baseball world
Valenzuela was a member of the Phillies during the strike-shortened 1994 season, signing with the team in June of that year and making eight appearances. In his seven starts, Valenzuela had a record of 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 45 innings. He was granted free agency and left the organization that Fall. The Phillies organization paid tribute to Valenzuela in a statement posted to social media.
"The Phillies send their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Fernando Valenzuela, who pitched for the club during the 1994 season. We join the baseball world in mourning the loss of one of the greatest ambassadors the sport has ever seen," wrote the Phillies.
Valenzuela's contributions on and off the field are numerous, and the southpaw remained a beloved figure and a visible ambassador for the Dodgers organization up until his death this week. All of us at That Ball's Outta Here offer our condolences to the family and former teammates of Fernando Valenzuela.