Fernando Valenzuela, longtime major league pitcher who sparked “Fernandomania” in his rookie season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981, has passed away. Valenzuela was 63.
After having a cup of coffee with the Dodgers in 1980, Valenzuela was part of the team’s rotation for the 1981 season and was an immediate breakout star. Pressed into duty as the team’s Opening Day starter due to injuries, Valenzuela threw a complete game shutout against the Houston Astros in what was his first major league start. He threw four more shutouts in his next seven games, threw two complete games, and went nine innings while allowing just one run in his one non-complete game among his first eight appearances.