Remembering MLB legend Fernando Valenzuela (1960-2024)

[@drod826]

55 yr old Hispanic born a couple miles from Dodger Stadium. I can't stop crying. He meant so much to me and too so many. Unless you lived through 1981 you have no idea how huge Fernadomania was. The Hispanic fan base is such a huge part of Dodger Blue, and he was a hero for all Dodger fans. I kept his box score of his no hitter in my wallet until I lost the wallet a few years back. I loved pulling it out just to remember how much he mean to me. Rest in peace El Toro!

[@aldiggydog]

Celebrate his life. He was more than baseball so many reasons to be proud.

[@chrisbfd]

@@drod826 I loved how he would close his eyes in the wind up.

[@Oceangirl_505]

Very well said! Each time he pitched, he turned his eyes to Heaven. Rest in peace in the arms of Jesus!

[@schlhrn]

I saw him pitch at Busch stadium to a sellout crowd in 1981. He shutout the Cardinals. A great pitcher.

[@purplepunch4204]

He grew up in Etchohuaquila,MX in a shack with a dirt floor, no plumbing or electricity which not only makes him a bigger inspiration to baseball but the culture. Fernando makes us proud to be Mexican.

[@NJSins8shn]

I'm a big-time Yankees fan, but even I have to tip my hat to Fernando. He was the GOAT in his prime!

[@TDM1680]

I hope the Dodgers win it all for Fernando ! 💙

[@goop1512]

i dont.

[@richstrobel]

If they had four or five of their injured pitchers they would be heavy favorites. They may win it anyway. Gonna take very solid outings from Flaherty and Buehler.

[@Platerpus7]

They sacrificed him for that reason

[@ravin-yw1vj]

The Dodgers will win the World Series for Fernando Valenzuela 💙

[@BIllBurdBaseball1992]

They won’t

[@Jasper7182009]

Shame on major league baseball for never electing Fernando Valenzuela into the Hall of Fame. But Fernando will always live in the Hall of Fame of our Dodger hearts.

[@johnnynevermind8595]

Totally agree

[@Factsoverfeels8]

💯💯💯

[@AlbertoLopezR79]

I have faith he will be an honour member despite his numbers. What he gave to the sport can’t be counted. ✨3️⃣4️⃣🕊️

[@310chris18]

REST IN PEACE LEGEND!!! got to see him pitch when i 4 years old and took a picture with him on picture day at dodger stadium and he sigbed my baseball and i still have it.

[@Fighthubhayes]

So ironic that he passes away right before the start of the World Series in Los Angeles. So tragic so young rest in peace Fernando Valenzuela, my goodness…😢💙 GO BLUE!!

[@planettelex-g9j]

Vs the Yankees nonetheless

[@ravin-yw1vj]

The Dodgers will win the World Series for Fernando Valenzuela 💙

[@MMAEventsVlog]

Incredible how life works 🙏🏼 💙

[@octavioortizvalenzuela9732]

Fernando "el Toro" Valenzuela, gracias por poner el nombre de México y toda la comunidad hispana muy en alto. Se va el hombre y comienza la leyenda del gran "Toro" Valenzuela. Desde Chihuahua, México. Descanse en paz.🙏

[@dirtymikeandtheboyz2570]

Damn... wish this iconic man got to see an iconic world series before he passed 😔 😢🙏

[@jinwone4907]

He emerged in the World Series season against the Yankees, winning Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards, and quietly departed before the World Series against the Yankees, which they would meet again after 43 years. May the Dodgers legend rest in peace.

[@Uglimugkill]

Growing up I would hear the tales of fernandomania. How he dominated from the pitching mound. How he looked up to the heavens when he pitched, now he’s looking down from heaven. Rest in peace el toro!!!

[@BlakeGomez-vj8tz]

WIN FOR FERNANDO!!!! 💙💙💙💙

[@BIllBurdBaseball1992]

They won’t lol .

[@Baseballify]

@@BIllBurdBaseball1992@MLB delete this comment

[@rz450]

Thank you Fernando for making a difference and a huge impact on the hispanic community in Los Angeles. As a little boy growing & being raised up in East LA ,I would look up to you, You were a big inspiration for a lot of mexicans.My parents who spoke no English I would recall sitting with them and tuning into the dodger game And they would root for you in spanish not even knowing the sport ,as you would pitch away... It was then that I knew my blood & heart had turned blue, and Started rooting hard for the Dodgers!!! Rest Easy Fernando ,We will bring this title home for you in your honor. #34 #VALENZUELAFOREVER #GOBLUE #BLEEDBLUE #GODODGERS #WORLDSERIES2024

[@chrisbfd]

Sad to learn of his death. As a Yankee fan, I remember being blown away by his pitching.

[@josearevalo3112]

Siempre en nuestros corazones Fernando Valenzuela ❤

[@tracer2002]

Thank you for brining my family together. I watched you as a kid and was my first dodger game with my father and brothers. You pointed at me and asked me to come to the bullpin. I did and you signed my roster. After that my father hugged me for the first time.

[@Latinoallover625]

That ball is already worth millions, and if you hold on to it the value will increase!.😮

[@Sandy-em4oz]

😢

[@RickPC0614]

Awesome.

[@luiseugenio77]

what a story… 👏🏼

[@donpmc]

Vaya con Dios, Don Fernando.

[@ricardodecambre5108]

To my fellow Mexican friends, I'm so sorry about the passing of your legendary hero.

[@sophiavalle6433]

We are DEVASTATED

[@aldiggydog]

​@@sophiavalle6433I am too but I think let's celebrate his life . He changed LA! I loved watching him play like every else!! So humble and gracious yet magnificent!!!

[@rogeliofernandezjimenez3053]

Thank you im so sad. I loved Fernando

[@sophiavalle6433]

Cheers to u n Fernando brother!

[@rjdodgerz2776]

Thank you 😔🙏🏻

[@rogeliofernandezjimenez3053]

The Best Mexican pitcher ever Fernando Valenzuela gracias por todo gracias por los increíbles recuerdos

[@mpaulm]

Baseball fans in my city of Edmonton, Canada are still proud he was a Trapper in his PCL days.❤

[@pierrelevasseur2701]

In the Angels organization in 1991.

[@mpaulm]

@@pierrelevasseur2701 yes he was.😎

[@GaryMorell]

I'm not ready to accept this, it came out of nowhere. He was very mature at 20 and he conducted himself with class and dignity both on and off the field. Never a hint of bad publicity and a credit to Baseball. I will keep Fernando in my Heart forever❤

[@SORINIDAGOT]

Rest in peace legend

[@PriscillaGonzales-tf4pk]

Rest in peace and the perpetual light shine upon you always ✨️ 🙏🏽

[@SORINIDAGOT]

@@PriscillaGonzales-tf4pk we will win the World Series in his honor

[@keithallison3756]

So bummed to hear this this morning. Let's win it for Fernando Doyers!!! Go Blue

[@benjamindominguezmercado3848]

Toro, México y el baseball mundial te lloran y te agradecen tu paso por el mundo. Gran pitcher, enorme ser humano... Ahhh y lo del salón de la fama no importa, es un lugar muy chico para la grandeza del Toro

[@PaloVerde1414]

DEVASTATING ngl. Rest In Peace & Love Fernando 🕊 King of The Ravine 🇲🇽 🇺🇸

[@MrBlazemaster525]

Descanse en Paz señor Valenzuela 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@noepedroza1918]

He deserved to be in the hall of fame ....all dodger fans will miss you toro thank you for all you did for our raza...hamble and great person....fly 🕊️ high toro de etchohuaquila 😢 i miss you all ready bro

[@anagraham9124]

Such a legend and icon. I was shocked and saddened when I read he'd passed away. Love my Dodgers. Let's win the WS for #34!

[@pabloramos420]

Dayum glad I got to see him at a Dodgers game this season 💯💙

[@cristianleyva3266]

Muchas gracias Fernando por ser mi héroe desde niño hasta ahora. Por darle tantos momentos felices y de orgullo a México. Espero que Dodgers te den un merecido homenaje en la serie contra Yanquis y te regalen un campeonato. Espero ver algún día que te incluyan en el salón de la fama como te mereces. Descansa en paz héroe y leyenda.

[@pierrelevasseur2701]

I've attended probably 100 games in Montreal and still have memories of many of them. One of those was the first time Fernando pitched against the Expos. It was early May 1981. Dad said, let's go see the Expos Sunday, make the nearly two and half hour drive. Place was packed, mainly because the Expos were good then and some probably wanted to see what this Valenzuela kid was all about. He had not lost yet, I think he was 5-0 or 6-0, dad said we'll hand him his first loss. Score was tied at one after nine, Dodgers scored a few times in the tenth and Fernando was still unbeaten. He was also the starter for Game 5 of the NLCS that year after the previous game was rained out. That was the Blue Monday game which Montreal fans remember to this day but had it not rained, Fernando would not have started and the Expos might have gone to the World Series, so he had a big part in getting the Dodgers there, in my view as much, if not more, as that Rick Monday home run. It's funny because a few weeks ago, someone mentioned his name to me, "what was that pitcher's name, Venezuela?". "No, Valenzuela". Sad to hear of his passing this morning at a young age, I'm just a couple years younger.

[@callmedo]

Win it for Fernando!!

[@1of1girrl]

Fernando helped us win world series against the Yankees in ‘81. This is a sign!! GO BLUE💙💙💙💙

[@flamingfrancis]

Such sad news. Vale Fernando. From an Australian who admires your contribution to the game.

[@buckminsterfullerene11]

At 10 years old baseball was my life at the time. Fernandomania was HUGE in my town. And I grew up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts ✌

[@Carlos-w1n5p]

fue un representante de los mexicanos en Todo USA fue UN ejenplo para Toda una generacion gracias Fernando por todos los moments felices que nos distes viendote jugar. God bless you.

[@randyluna7695]

Rest in peace Fernando Valenzuela 🙏🏻😭💔🕊️💙⚾️

[@jmg999]

Oh, that's too bad. I remember that '81 season. He took the sporting world by storm.

[@Ronnieoc]

Fernando Valenzuela (1960-2024) A Pitching Legend's Eternal Legacy With screwball magic, he captured hearts, Fernando Valenzuela, an unforgettable start. Dodger blue, his iconic home, 1981's rookie sensation, forever to roam. Cy Young Award, World Series wins, No-hitters, shutouts, and record-breaking spins. Seven All-Star games, a storied name, National League Rookie of the Year, eternal fame. Fernandomania's craze, a nation's delight, Sports Illustrated's cover, shining bright. Latinx pride, a cultural bridge, Fernando's impact, an enduring legacy to pledge. Though his journey's ended, his legend remains, Inspiring generations, through baseball's domains. His humility, perseverance, and heart, Forever etched in the game's history and art. Rest in peace, Fernando Valenzuela, Your legacy lives on, an eternal appeal.

[@andreamay437]

And his birthday was literally nine days away. NINE FREAKING DAYS!

[@marijuasher]

This needed to be another 10 min. May El Toro's memory be a blessing.

[@consfasaCDMX]

Unbelievable and unacceptable his absence in the Hall of Fame…!!!!

[@rogeliofernandezjimenez3053]

Agreed.

[@lorenblueearth5657]

I know right I got his rookie card

[@toomanyjstoomanyrs1705]

Should be in the hall of fame for bringing millions of new fans to baseball. I'm not Mexican. Born in El Salvador, raised in L.A. as a Dodgers fan. Fernando was a hero for all Central & South American fans.

[@a6herre]

Just a beautiful story of coming to the United States and having that success. I have an uncle who came from the same area still at his age hardest working man taught me work ethic and to not let anyone ever out work you in anything. #ripElToro

[@ashtonturner2862]

What a legend! For Fernando and Vin...GO DODGERS!

[@alexarriaga5382]

Just Speechless

[@vikingjerome2438]

I became a Dodgers fan because of fernando valenzuela 😢

[@superlegendarybros]

As a dodger fan,I’m depressed

[@PaloVerde1414]

GUTTED :((((

[@Baseballify]

Don’t be sad, just think of the happy moments #winforfernado

[@MAGAMOFO]

I was 10 years old and living in Covina, CA, and we had season tix behind 1st base. I was part of that pennant run! I remember the dodger dogs, smell of cigars, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, Dusty Baker, and Fernando!!!..best team ever!!! The memories live on!

[@allfeelings7658]

Huge baseball player of enormous simplicity who never gave rise to scandal who burst into the best baseball in the world with such force, magic and impact that he caused full stadiums just to see him, giving rise to new fans in Mexico and the USA in a great social phenomenon. that went beyond sports and was called and known as FERNANDOMANÍA, something never seen before and until now....

[@robertmcnally2220]

To bad he ain't a hall of famer. He was a great pitcher

[@johnnynevermind8595]

He’s a beyond a hall of famer Maybe now they will honor him

[@ZachPurcell_DRUMS]

He will get there. Albeit through unfortunate circumstances, he will get there.

[@farpointgamingdirect]

I remember his tenure in Baltimore with great joy...what a tragic loss

[@jmduque3]

Now there is a purpose for the Dodgers to win it all El Toro! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Oceangirl_505]

Fernando belongs in the Hall of Fame!!!

[@I_AM_ORLIN]

Descansa en paz, leyenda.

[@edomarpez1840]

Descansa en Paz, Toro. El dolor es enorme pero el honor de haberte visto lograr tantas cosas y el orgullo de todo lo que hiciste por los tuyos y tus compatriotas es aún mayor. Ahora que estés con Dios, dale un abrazo de mi parte a mi padre que lleva algunos años esperándote para sentarse a platicar de béisbol.

[@carloscendejas3125]

Que descanse en paz. Gracias por las memorias. May Fernando Rest In Peace. I have lots of fond memories from the early 80’s

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

As a youg Dodgers fan in Philthy PA 1981....Steve Garvey always my hero.... Fernando was great...honestly when Garvey left the Dodgers so did I....I stopped being a baseball fan 88. However that Rodgers team was my heart. I just think it's beyond crazy that Fernando passes away iNOW????? Right before this WS vs of all teams the Yankees? 1981 the last time they played. the Yankeesin the World Series..,.???? That's too ironic

[@gregoryevans8179]

I remember gm 5 of the 85 NLCS ( The Ozzie Smith HR game) Fernando started that game and he was amazing, not that he was great, but he just battled, he was on the ropes throughout the game, but hung in there and gave them a chance. RIH # 34.

[@enle2002]

Here in the Yucatan we can proudly say that our team "Leones de Yucatán" was the team who saw Fernando's potencial and recruited him and debuted him in the Mexican Baseball League and thanks to that Mike Brito saw him and took him to LA. Aquí en Yucatán podemos decir con orgullo que nuestro equipo “Leones de Yucatán” fue el equipo que vio el potencial de Fernando y lo reclutó y debutó en la Liga Mexicana de Beisbol y gracias a eso Mike Brito lo vio y lo llevó a Los Ángeles.

[@shuggabizkit3269]

I’ve been looking at his baseball cards the last couple days. He was awesome

[@MrThunderMetal]

San Diego even had Fernadomania when the Dodgers came to town during his time with them. It was something to see as the stadium was packed full of Dodger and Fernando fans.

[@georgerodriguez2987]

Heartbreaking

[@AndreaHernandez-nj8md]

Fernando Valenzuela nos dio Mucha alegria en México un Grande 😢 mis condolencias a la Familia 🙏🏽

[@ByronAllen-h8n]

Rest in power 34 thank you for the memories

[@hitatk9440]

What a time! I was not born yet but if I could time warp back, I would without hesitation

[@bearthedog12]

My entire family (Tios, Tias, Abuelos, Primos etc) and watch the Dodgers! We were so proud of his Mexican roots, he made it so that we could be proud too!! We will miss you forever Fernando!!! YOU CHANGED OUR LIVES 💙

[@jeremiahrelaford8791]

Vin hurt, Tommy hurt, but this one hurts bad. He was the reason I became a lifelong Dodger fan when I was 5 years old

[@MarioAlbertoCarrilloDavi-cl9vp]

Se fue un grande

[@jacoM714]

Fernando wasn't inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame but in my mind and heart, he was inducted the day I caught Fernando Fever,... and I've been a Giants fan all my life! 😃 But that's how special he will always be to me. Looking to the sky... for Fernando. ⚾️

[@CASLUCASTON]

Very seldom I shed.a tear for non-family, but here I am 😢…🙏Rest in Peace🙏

[@toomuchdrivetothrive]

As Giants fans, we hated the Dodgers, but he was that one guy everyone loved. The Stick almost never sold out for those crappy Giants teams, but it did when he pitched.

[@rualsanchez3778]

Idol!! ❤❤❤❤

[@mwatts6755]

One of a kind! ❤

[@ArturoOlguin-l1z]

EL ESPÍRITU DE FERNANDO VALENZUELA SEGUIRA CON TODOS LOS MEXICANOS Y LOS DOYERS VIVA FERNANDO VALENZUELA GRACIAS A DIOS 🙏🏻 POR PRESTÁRNOSLOS PERO SE LO LLEVA A UNA TEMPRANA EDAD QUE VIVA FERNANDO VALENZUELA POR SIEMPRE VIVA NAVOJOA MEXICO 🇲🇽 🫡ACUERDENSE LOS HEROES SERAN RECORDADOS PERO LAS LEYENDAS JAMAS SE OLVIDAN

[@MorrowVollume]

All Tommy had to say to his pitching coach was "show him how to throw the screwball" cause Tommy knew Fernando had the ability to grip and he could pitch 9 finings, thats the 80's. What has happened to Pro baseball since then and all the rules and the reason for all the pitching changes, it's just too bad. May Mr. Valenzuela Rest In Peace !!!

[@GeoAce777]

'Some guys get hangnails and miss half the season. Fernando could be dying and he'll still go nine innings' -Tommy LaSorda ;-)

[@rushtest4echo737]

This man mended so many broken ties between the Dodgers and the true residents of LA- hispanics. So happy he helped build that culture. It doesn't excuse the mistakes that the Dodgers made with the ravine, but it was always wrong to have the hispanic community at such odds with Los Doyers.

[@johndoe-x5v2p]

great first pete and now fernando all my childhood legends are dying before my eyes😔😔😔

[@rocknjock9300]

We now live in a world where it seems like we are separated by our differences. Back then it was bonding over our love of the Dodgers & a kid from Mexico brought us in LA together. I a 9 year old white kid, Fernando was no different then my favorite player at the time Steve Garvey; just the next great Dodger. Thank you Fernando for bringing so many great memories to us Dodgers & leaving the world a better place because your love of baseball.

[@marcoantoniogarciadomingue8734]

Never since and never after will be any thing close to Fernando Manía, what he did and what it meant for all the baseball world forever be written in golden words.

[@gampleisactivos8468]

Fernando, alineas en tu mejor partido junto a los grandes. Por siempre en nuestra mente y corazón.

[@TheSmarq17]

Fernando's first 8 starts: 8-0, 0.50 ERA, 8 CG Shutouts, 0.83 WHIP, K to BB Ratio 4.00 and finally, complete pandemonium whenever he pitched. Fernandomania was real and DESERVED. Descanse en paz mi amigo.

[@thatsallfolks5486]

Descanse En Paz Torito #34 🐂 🇲🇽🙏, gracias por las memorias que nos diste, recuerdos cuando te miré jugar cuando mi jefe y tíos íbamos a los partidos. GRACIAS POR TODO TORITO 🐂🙏 LETS GO DODGERS 🙏

[@jayamaya1251]

Great memories I was only 12 in 81 but remember sitting with my mom just to watch Valenzuela pitch.

[@partypartida]

The Dodgers will play for Fernando in this series!

[@jesuschavez3987]

He Had A Whole Country Behind him at 20 years old 🇺🇸🇲🇽

[@ivandejesusgarciacorral6479]

Brown Pride!! 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽R.I.P LEGEND🙏🙏🫡🫡

[@PaloVerde1414]

King of The Ravine 🇲🇽🇺🇸

[@billkittleman9631]

Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger, Cy Young, and World Champion .. what a magical season 🧢⚾️

[@Draegonfyre]

My father was so proud of him, he even bought the 45rpm of the "Nortena" song they made for him.

[@Jose-v9j6n]

Desde hace del cielo manda bendiciones a tu querido Dodgers y dios quiera que ganen para que aumente tu felicidad x tu equipo QEPD

[@jesuscantu2334]

El gran Toro Valenzuela se le recuerda con mucho cariño.. QEPD saludos desde Monterrey México

[@KyleHolmes97]

For you, Nando! This ones for you and everyone else in Blue Heaven!

[@KingdomOfZeal]

Absolute blasphemy that this guy isn’t in the Hall of Fame.

[@rogeliofernandezjimenez3053]

Agreed.

[@pierrelevasseur2701]

He was good but never great, at least not on consistent basis. Some black ink on his stats page. Best year, as judged by ERA+ was 1985 followed by 1981 and his career is just a bit above average. So not surprised he's not a HOFer.

[@Dept246]

His first 6 seasons he was an all-star pitcher including a 21-11 season in 1986. But his final 11 seasons were average. He finished with a 173-153 career record with a era of 3.54

[@chino98120]

@@pierrelevasseur2701 The only one rookie of the year and cyoung in the same season in all history of mlb could be enough. But some people like you still in the civil war.

[@pierrelevasseur2701]

@@chino98120 Awards are nice and voters do take them into account. But one year does not make a career. Otherwise, Roger Maris and many others should be in. I would take Fernando on my team in his prime, which is 1981 to 1986. His trajectory for those years was potentially towards a HOF career, it's the rest of his career where he was average that denied him. He just didn't sustain it, was hurt, didn't play in MLB in 1992 after two terrible games the year before for the Angels. He had one good (not great) year between 1987 and 1997. Sorry, not HOF material.

[@f430ferrari5]

Rest In Peace Fernando. ❤🙏

[@outforfame408]

Thank you Fernando for what you did for our gente 🥲🫡 🇲🇽

[@siphosethumbaba7559]

COME ON DODGERS, LET'S DO IT FOR FERNANDO VALENZUELA!!💙💙💙

[@elizabethmoser8060]

El Toro was my First Love, and now, one of my Eternal Loves. Thank you for the joy and Beautiful Memories Fernando. And a Special Thanks for signing my Son's Dodger Cap. I Miss You and Love You Always 💙🤍💙🤍💙🤍💙🤍

[@chickengenius4202]

Pitchers never go 9 anymore. Shows how good he was

[@高田哲哉-o7n]

泣いた　行けーードジャース !!!!

[@Johnny_Chingas13]

If this series goes 6 games it comes back to Dodger Stadium and they'll play on his birthday....Dia De Los Muertos!

[@rogeliofernandezjimenez3053]

WOW, imagine the expectation if that happens.

[@pierrelevasseur2701]

Wow. That is quite a coincidence. Go Dodgers!

[@texasjason64]

HALL OF FAME DO IT PLEASE MLB 👍🏻💯⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾⚾