Rich Eisen Reflects on the Passing of Dodgers Legend Fernando Valenzuela | The Rich Eisen Show

[@ckSport3000]

Curtis, 58, I was a Southern California kid. My 2 best friends since childhood are Mexican American and I was enthralled and in love with Mexican family culture. I didn't know or understand racism. I was and am a HUGE Dodger fan. 1981 I was a 9th grader.. and I was the loudest voice cheering Fernando-mania.

[@timotmon]

Same. I still live in Orange country and grew up with Mexican culture in Santa Ana and I loved Fernando. Begged my mom to buy his baseball card at a swap meet. Even though it's not my culture by birth and background I've always been made to feel very much accepted and loved in that community. Wouldn't trade it for the world. It's part of who I am so it's part of my makeup and culture moving forward and onto my own kids.

[@MixItMrDJ]

Ditto! He totally smashed everyones perception of Mexican athletes.

[@joejackson9986]

Thanks, man!

[@relicresells4884]

Nice man thanks for sharing. I was also raised near Los Angeles. I started watching Fernando for his hitting believe it or not. He always had the potential for a homer. Gus

[@ivettem5089]

Gracias!

[@Ciscodog13]

Thank you for this. Thank you for the respect you have for him. That means a lot to us Mexican people.

[@monica93304]

This one hurts my friend. Abrazo.

[@rodrigoherrera3431]

De acuerdo, agree!!

[@motorcycleboy9000]

A lot to all of us. My grandfather was a Portuguese immigrant, first generation American, he had a shrine to Fernando.

[@ElectronFieldPulse]

He was a great guy

[@therewasacrookedman5892]

His number had only been retired last year, but Dodger clubhouse personnel made sure nobody wore the number after Fernando throughout the previous years. That’s admiration and respect that only comes from treating others well. R.I.P. to El Toro.

[@NicholasRaeGarza]

The story of Baseball cannot be told without Fernando Valenzuela and because of that he NEEDS TO BE IN THE HALL OF FAME!

[@craigwheeler4760]

Whenever they put Curt schilling in the Hall of fame, then they will put Fernando Valenzuela in. The greatest snub in the Hall of Fame history is not Bonds, it's probably Curt schilling. The guy wins three world series with two different teams, including one team's first world series ever, and another team's first world series in 86 years. He has an 11-2 postseason record with an era of 2. Luis tiant is another guy who is a massive Hall of Fame snub. The guy should have won the American League cy Young award at least once.

[@fernandothomas6064]

You’re comparing stats vs A baseball story that has cultural significance, unification, and brings MLB exposure to 2 countries that is still felt today. So yeah, save your Curt Schilling stats for radio talk shows. Fernandomania is about baseball, families, culture, countries, and inspiration.

[@lgaytan65]

@@fernandothomas6064 Beautifully & Perfectly said!

[@4ernieg]

@@craigwheeler4760 all why averaging 10.8 wins a year for 20 seasons. He is no HOF er

[@4ernieg]

also Fernando won the Silver Slugger, he batted .368 as a pinch hitter

[@NeilTruick]

Yankee fan since Steinbrenner bought the team when I was nine years old, Los Angeles resident since a month before Tommy Lasorda took the reins as manager. I was a first-hand witness to the phenomenon named Fernando. I got to watch him play a couple times from the right field pavilion at Dodger Stadium. 1981 was a painful year for me watching this guy do what he did to the league and my Yankees in October. Watching him and Lasorda together during those years was like watching a son and his dad. Tommy was always very protective of his players, but it was a little different with him and Fernando. Joe Torre will always be my favorite manager, but Tommy was the guy I wanted to play for. Because of Tommy, I appreciated Fernando a lot more than I would have while he was playing. I only hope the two of them are sharing a _cerveza_ while Tommy's showing him around the new stadium. Rest in peace, Fernando...and thank you from a respectful Yankee fan.

[@Drewswaggy]

Comments like this is a breath of fresh air from the millions of bots on social media

[@scoobyruuuu]

Brilliant!!

[@DawgPoundStoner1252]

Yankees hater since forever 😂

[@luisfernandocarrizales4415]

I want to thank you as a Mexican born but raised in the USA 🇺🇸, Fernando was a very unique person , and a awesome player , humble and down to earth person, Rest in Peace.

[@cristianhcm1914]

Well said brother

[@JoseHernandez-sq8yh]

Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge the greatness of Fernando Valenzuela. RIP.

[@ArmorofGod610]

Win for Fernando!! Let’s go Dodgers!!!!

[@BudPennington-n1l]

my mom just passed about two months ago. Didn't shed a tear. Today, this news, all those memories of assembling puzzles with my mom and listening to Vin Scully on the radio, getting tickets to see him at Chavez Ravine: I sobbed. I shut my office door. Wept. Miss you mom. I hope you can meet him in the after life.

[@ScooterOnHisWay2024]

Weird.

[@pat557]

​@@ScooterOnHisWay2024 Very common, actually. We repress our traumatic emotions then a triggering loss happens and the floodgates open...

[@biozio186]

Don't bet on it

[@vinnyl264]

@@ScooterOnHisWay2024 he suppressed his emotion, and then with another big connection to their mom, finally let it all go

[@SuperCatacata]

Too many people like to call sports a meaningless waste of time. But it's such a good way to create memories like this with loved ones. One of my favorite childhood memories is going to baseball games with my late grandfather.

[@ashtonturner2862]

RIP to an absolute Legend! For Fernanado, Vin, & Kobe...Let's Go Dodgers!!!

[@cristianhcm1914]

Who's talking about Kobe? ....

[@ashtonturner2862]

@@cristianhcm1914 All of L.A…buster

[@cristianhcm1914]

Thank God I moved to Japan.

[@rjdodgerz2776]

I love kobe and Vin scully. But today is about Fernando.

[@cristianhcm1914]

​..well said bro

[@michaelbaucom4019]

I'm a Giants fan, but, you had to love Fernando RIP Well done Rich

[@obionekenobi7401]

G fan too…at the stick watching him, hated him because he was a Dodger but loved his baseball acumen, just great.

[@ramontrevi10]

As a mexican long time watcher and listener from Cancún, thank you for the homage, Rich. The best Mexican baseball player ever and a true legend. Can't believe he's not in the Hall of Fame (yet?), and how long it took the Dodgers to retire '34'.

[@ashergarber3791]

Dodgers have a long tradition of only retiring HOF inductees except for Jim Gilliam. That's the reason why it took so long. But nobody had worn 34 since he left the team. His number was unofficially retired and rightly so.

[@ramontrevi10]

@@ashergarber3791 i knew about nobody worn 34 since Toro. The other thing, didnt. Thanks for the info!

[@christianruvalcaba5332]

A great way of giving Fernando his flowers 🌹 rip #34

[@ashergarber3791]

Being a Dodger kid during Fernandomania was so much fun. An absolute legend.

[@oldtimer5316]

I was 8 in 1981! I remember driving to Santa Barbara with all our family to have a carne asada and watch the game at my uncle’s house with my cousins.

[@examiner71]

Great tribute Rich! He is a Legend. People here are getting his tattoos and 34. He was a hero to many of Us and will always be. R.I.P. in Spanish D.E.P. 🙏🏻

[@cristianhcm1914]

Who doesn't love Fernando. ...btw, stop with the tattoos already. My goodness! Keep it clean.

[@skitown11]

​@@cristianhcm1914 Why should you care if somebody gets a tattoo? That's ridiculous.

[@eldominioniqqv]

RIP.. yankees will win it for you ❤

[@michaelconger6420]

Those of us fortunate enough to be alive during that time, will never forget Fernandomania. I was 13, almost 14 during that season. They don't beat my Yankees without him. Rest in peace, Fernando

[@maxarevposadas]

GRACIAS POR ESTE HOMENAJE Mr. Eisen. Thank you. Viva el Toro.

[@genxcyclist3734]

Thank you for wonderful memories . Rest in peace Toro . ⚾️😥🙏🏼

[@billkittleman9631]

Beautiful tribute ☝️💙

[@RichardGrijalva]

What a moving tribute from Rich Eisen. It very nicely captures how important Fernando Valenzuela was to the Dodgers, the people and City of Los Angeles, and to baseball. The Dodgers' longtime Spanish broadcaster Jaime Jarrín recalled that the late Walter O'Malley asking him, "When are you going to find us the Mexican Sandy Koufax?" So it's fitting to see the two greats side-by-side. Descanse en paz, Toro.

[@lgaytan65]

So gorgeously & eloquently said Rich! Way to give El Toro his due!

[@waltersalas1791]

As a kid, I met Fernando in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico because my uncle played for Los Mayos de Navojoa. Fernando just happened to be there during the off season in 1981. He was a great person. He signed a ball for me. Many years later, I saw him again at Montebello golf course and I told him the story of meeting him as a kid, he just smiled and said What a small world. RIP 34

[@me109cito5]

Beautiful, just beautiful...for someone like me, that was not really caught up in the Fernandomania to appreciate and love your video homage to one of the greats in baseball history. This, what you have done should mean a lot to someone who loved and followed Fernando Valenzuela. Thank you.❤😢

[@carlaauri8461]

Very moving Rich. His story and success won’t be ever replicated, this was the brightest spot to Mexicans in the 80’s to enjoyed and thank one of us. RIP Fernando. ❤️🇲🇽

[@josejacquez9176]

My father became a Dodgers fan because of this kid, a kid that time. My grandmother was still bitter with baseball due to Chavez Ravine incident. However, all that went out the window with this kid who looked like us. From a town that no white person could even pronounce, even some Mexicans have trouble pronouncing it 😂. Gracias El Toro for giving my father and grandmother some good memories. He will be in our OFRENDA next to my dad and grandmother with our Fernando bobble head. I'm so glad I went last year when they retied his number!!

[@abrahamvidrio771]

Without Toro dodgers fanbase wouldn’t look the same, you literally can still see the impact he had today just look at all the games and notice the amount of Latinos in the stadium that’s all Fernando’s doing.

[@USC9210]

"The Chavez Ravine incident" was a big thing to overcome. A large Mexican neighborhood was razed and emptied (sketchy eminent domain power by the city) so that the Dodgers could build Dodger Stadium on that land, and the bitterness and withholding of Latino fandom (and dollars) would still be the default position if not for Fernando. I am a SF Giant fan, but you have to accept the power of excellence. Tough year for baseball legends passing: Pete Rose, Willie "Say Hey" Mays, and now Fernando.

[@enigmathegrayman2953]

Chavez Ravine tragedy! Dodgers as a franchise is lucky to survive and have the fan base it has today. Many aren’t aware of that history….

[@ElectronFieldPulse]

@@enigmathegrayman2953- What am I missing? Eminent domain happens to all kinds of people in the US, including a ton of white people. Why is this case seen as a racial one?

[@josejacquez9176]

@ElectronFieldPulse unless they took down his other comment, I don't know where race was brought up by him. Mexico is not that different from the US. there are white people their too; for example: Canelo Alvarez.

[@kevinkinney5445]

That was well done. Thank you for your respectful and heartfelt words. He is dearly missed .

[@monica93304]

I'm 54. LA Native. Born in General Hospital. You could see the stadium from there. Went to my first Doyer game in 1974. I love my team. Rich, this one hurts. It hurts in a similar way to losing Kobe. Losing Jerry West. Damn. Gracias por todo Fernando.

[@TheodoreRizzo]

Rip one of the greatest in LA Dodgers history!!

[@dodgedforgottenn]

Thank you for this, Rich. You really added to the discussion and tribute to Fernando in way that others have not. From a Dodgers fan, this is much appreciated

[@Sharkman1963]

I'll probably listen to this another dozen times over the next few days just to hear all the names of those great players who played at the same time as Valenzuela. I'm not a Dodger fan by any means. I'm just a baseball fan. That was such a great time to watch the game. RIP to a legendary talent.

[@zjenji]

That was beautiful. Thank you Rich. RIP Fernando.

[@ScooterOnHisWay2024]

I hated the Doggers back then and still do. Probably always will. Yet I couldn't help but like and respect Fernando Valenzuela from day 1.

[@bornfuct]

That how I feel about buster posey..

[@toritovalenzuela]

Great tribute! Thank you!

[@vikingjerome2438]

Fernandomania lives on! Go Doyers! 💙 2024

[@rodrigoibarra2054]

As a Mexican, thanks for the nice eulogy Rich!

[@NimbusXV]

What a beautiful Eulogy for the Great Fernando Valenzuela. Being from Mexico City I only got the chance of watching him pitch on the TV, until he came to pitch for the Charros de Jalisco in 92. RIP

[@raulbenitez3714]

That was BEAUTIFUL Rich Thank you for such a great tribute 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Timothy.365]

A shining star that captured baseball fans and everyone else! It’s hard to put into words how much of an impact he had in 81. As a 16 yo baseball loving kid in NYC, it was electric!

[@mwatts6755]

One of my favorite players when I was a kid. He was so unique

[@cliffroberts2291]

I remember as a kid growing up in Dallas watching TWIB every Saturday to see Fernando's highlights.

[@carlitosolow]

38 here, so I missed the 81 run but Fernando was a huge part of my Dad’s immigrant story (having come to the US in ‘79). I’ll never forget being a confused little kid watching Dodger Stadium go crazy for an opposing pitcher. He was a Philly that year and still the reason we were there. A life full of stories, stats and highlights, and now we’re a huge Dodger household. Tommy needed ‘em to go 9 again…And I’m sure Vinny called it beautifully. Big hugs Dodger fam

[@josecuellar3620]

I saw him pitch in 1980 triple A San Antonio didn’t have a clue he would become legendary,I was 12 years old . RIP EL TORO .

[@juancarlosvazquez2978]

Te creo, en esa época San Antonio Dodgers era sucursal de Los Angeles y se enfrentaban también a equipos como los Diablos de El Paso, sucursal en ese entonces de los Cerveceros de Milwaukee.....no tuve la suerte de mirar lanzar a Valenzuela mas que en televisión.....solo miré a Ted Higuera cuando lanzaba para el equipo de mi ciudad, los Indios de Ciudad Juárez.....se nos fué el idolo de tantos de nosotros aficionados a este hermoso deporte...

[@Uglimugkill]

Beautiful words Rich!!! Rip el toro!!!

[@JohnSanJuan-zp1ed]

I’m so sorry! Rest in Peace! FERNIE! Respect!

[@romeoromo-kt5vn]

Excellent my friend... excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@bcabrera971]

Fernando will always be in our hearts. Descansa Toro.

[@suguskein3699]

💔❤️👏🏼👊🏼🔥 Amazing! El Toro Valenzuela!

[@drummer4jah.]

Thank you for showing so much respect to 34.

[@gilmartinez]

Legend 🇲🇽🇺🇸💙✊🏽

[@abrahamvidrio771]

Toros impact cannot be underestimated, maybe not the best pitcher in dodger history but definitely the most impactful. Without Fernando dodger fanbase and history wouldn’t be the same.

[@ericifune5543]

I remember the piece that Stu Nahan did, I think it was Stu, when he went to Fernando's home town. It was literally a one horse town. His parents had no idea what was going on in LA. His mother asked when he would come home.

[@timotmon]

What a tribute Rich! As a kid we felt fernando mania in orange country as I grew up an Angel fan. I remember begging my mom to buy his baseball card for me at a swap meet.

[@Ironnash]

Thanks Rich, for recognizing the importance and impact of “El Toro” Valenzuela in the game, he was one of the three great athletes from the 80s and an idol in Mexico, along with Hugo Sanchez and JC Chavez. Thanks!

[@jaimepatena7372]

Valenzuela has to be one of the greatest athletes..without a very athletic looking body. RIP.

[@jamesswanson4391]

Great background story in the time given 👏

[@benny4848]

Love this. RIP Fernando

[@matthewaranda8646]

Thank you Rich for that amazing reflection on Fernando as a kid growing up in Los Angeles area his passing hits hard 🥹

[@rodolfoleyva5157]

Nice tribute, Rich. From México. Descansa en paz, "Toro" Valenzuela 🙏

[@markbeavers5747]

Thank you Rich, that was a great tribute to one of the greatest Dodger ever!!!

[@danielb1828]

The Dodgers now have another reason they have to win. Descanse en paz Senor Fernando.

[@yourguidetorights3909]

I was at a late season game in 1980 at Dodger stadium when Fernando made his major league debut in relief. Will never forget.

[@CESAR-io6ob]

Beautiful words Rich! Thank you very much! GOD bless you! And GOD bless the soul of Fernando Venezuela "El Toro." He will never be forgotten. ❤

[@pavelivanlopezechavarri5862]

Beautiful words Rich ❤

[@rembertorosales1529]

Gracias señor for taking time to give fernando sus flores muchas gracias.

[@tedmichaels1951]

He was a legend!…RIP

[@GabeRamirez15]

RIP El Toro. Dodgers, let's win this one for Fernando.

[@markotto9855]

RIP Fernando. I'm so glad I have so many vivid memories of the 70s and 80s. Sports were so much different then. Better in my opinion. It took a long time for HYPE to grow. It allowed for true phenoms and legends. Now it's only about personal accolades and income (1st and foremost)

[@DaveFloJr]

Beautifully described. I feel like I experienced his impact based on your heartfelt eulogy. Thank you.

[@twocooleetoh3128]

I came to this country in 86’ from Mexico. I quickly became in love with baseball and living in Boyle Heights quickly fell in love with the Dodgers. This was Fernados last great season. But by then he was everyone’s idol in the community. I shed a few tears yesterday after the announcement of his passing. Crazy how you cry for someone you never met, but with his passing it took me back to my childhood. It was one of poverty, but forgotten every late spring,and summer evenings listening to Jaime jarrin, or if I was lucky and they were on the road I would watch them on channel eleven. I cried cause it reminded me of so many players, coaches and most importantly my father who is also no longer with us. Descansa en Paz TORITO 34

[@dancornelius4057]

Very moving. Thank you, Mr. Eisen.

[@oscarm8245]

That was an awesome eulogy Rich!! I love the respect you have for Fernando, may he RIP! 😢

[@Eduardomd54]

Thank You for your review, words to our beloved Fernando Valenzuela.

[@danielosterman9676]

The first game back from the strike, vs. Cubs, was mania in good way. My best experience ever @ Dodger Stadium. Loved Fernando.

[@oscarrobledo1975]

Thank you for this Rich...Fernando was so much more than a Dodger, and those of us who saw him visit our schools or simply out in the community, came to understand that he was the personification of what our community longed to be and sustain. And he did it all humbly. Not many can hold those accolades from growing your ego, but this man, in all of his humility, showed us how to do it. A truly great man and he will be sorely missed. May he rest in eternal peace.

[@irmagaillard9917]

Beautiful tribute! I am a Dodgers fan because of Fernando! I was lucky to see him play in San Diego in 1981. Mexicans will never forget this legend. RIP El Toro.

[@curiousjn]

This was amazing, conveyed the spirit of those times so beautifully and accurately, thank you!! 💙🤍💙

[@ritogarcia1186]

Tears coming down watching this and listening to Rich talk about my childhood hero!!!! 😢RIP FERNANDO

[@romanpatracasantoyo319]

Thank You Mr Rich Eisen, is a masterpiece the way you describe FV . VIVA FERNANDO SIEMPRE

[@Sierrareclifestyles]

Like many I am certain, Fernando is one of my all time favorite Dodgers. This time in life was when I had just started following sports as a kid in Oregon. I remember trying to pitch like him on the mound in 7th grade. A legend lost and today is just a bit sad. But so thankful I was alive to experience his greatness!

[@CharlieLucky24]

Nicely done Rich 😢

[@AlejandroReyes-q1g]

My dad and I did not spend a lot of time together, but when Fernando was pitching we always were there with each other, enjoying like kids, just pure joy, both proud to watch this humble guy mastering the Major Leagues and living the moment as friends do. Great memories. Both resting in peace now. Thank you Fernando! - Gracias Toro!

[@woolybooly6859]

That was beautiful Rich. I wasn't around for Koufax, but I was around to appreciate Fernando's Greatness and Humility. Thank you Fernando for the memories.

[@rmd9988]

I am from Merida, Yucatan. After watching Fernando play for the Yucatan Lions in the old Carta Clara stadium (I was 12-13 years old at the time), even booing him in a couple of occasions :) it was truly surreal to watch him on TV and see him do what he did in MLB. BTW, that shortstop, his name was Alí Uscanga. He died recently, apparently of COVID, at 60 years old.

[@BobbySanders-bf2fr]

Big fan. God bless you Fernando

[@jamie49868]

He was a kid, and I was a kid in 81. Innocent times, good times, memorable times as life was just opening up for a couple of teenagers. It seems like yesterday...has it really been that long ago? It is like we shared that summer together back when life was full of dreams and hope, when everything felt possible as I watched him do the impossible. This one is different. There have been others my age and even younger, but really the first big star my age that has passed form natural causes instead of some kind of accident or rare cause. Hearing this brings back a flood of vivid memories of not just Fernando, but when life was truly good. It makes me sad, yet happy to have been there at the time I was. RIP Senor.

[@marioperez9677]

Growing up in East L.A. in the early 70s, I have been a die hard Dodger fan. I remember "Fernando Mania." I was at Dodger stadium to watch him pitch a complete shut out game. He will be missed. Thx u Fernando for the Dodger memories. As Vin scully said "throw your Sombrero in the sky," for Fernando. L.A. beat the Yankees for Fernando!!!

[@ElGordo4488]

Thank you for your words. El Toro was our Jackie Robinson and we love him and remember him forever.

[@TygerByte]

Fernandomania did for Mexicans what Shohei is doing for the Japanese. Galvanized a whole country.

[@cristianhcm1914]

If you know about the Japanese people and their culture. You would know that Japan is already galvanized. They identify as one. Don't write about things you know nothing about.

[@lreyla]

Thank you for the heart felt telling of Fernando's story. Whats missing is the origin of Fernandos screwball learned from pioneering Chicano pitcher Babo Castillo who grew up in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and also passed away from cancer in 2014 at the age of 59.

[@RobertoMartinez-dc6pq]

Although I was too young to fully appreciate Fernando’s greatness during his career, the news of his passing struck me deeply. It’s remarkable how his influence has endured over the years, resonating with so many of us who have come to understand his impact through stories and shared memories. As I processed the news, I found myself both tearing up and feeling an overwhelming sense of pride. Fernando was more than an extraordinary talent; he was a symbol of hope and pride for the American Mexican community. As we remember Fernando, let us celebrate the joy he brought into our lives and the pride he instilled in our hearts. May his legacy continue to inspire us to strive for greatness and to uplift our community. Thank you, Fernando, for everything. May you rest in peace.

[@kinglobo80]

El Toro , Dodgers have to win for Valenzuela

[@bencromwell707]

Rest In Peace Toro😢

[@lexmax08]

Thanks for that tribute Rich!

[@genaromoreno8920]

Thanks Rich for giving Fernando his props!! Valenzuela NEEDS TO BE IN THE HALL OF FAME!!!!

[@georgiepeorgie1234]

Gracias man, Us chicanos/Mexicanos I'm sure appreciate it. Great video. Orale Fernando, por Vida ese.

[@irmagaillard9917]

I am a Dodgers fan because of Fernando! I was lucky to see him play in San Diego in 1981. Mexicans will never forget this legend. RIP.

[@markoccleshaw14]

I recall Fernando's rookie year very well because for whatever reason I decided to track ever Dodger game and chart it on a large piece of whiteboard. Witnessing him winning his first 8 games in the Major Leagues was just amazing! Vin Scully, Tommy La Sorda and Fernando Valenzuela reunited this day! Our loss is certainly their gain... "God Bless!"

[@kevinpark296]

Amazing segment by Rich. Fernando Valenzuela's arm outlasts 3 pitchers today. RIP.

[@geo641]

Beautiful job Rich, thanks for that!!

[@echopark01]

Thank you Fernando. Will never forget that summer and fall. Simply magical. Thank you Rich for the respect and emotion shown for El Toro and not just reporting his passing as just news. 💙✊🏽🇲🇽 34

[@marcocarbajal9299]

Lovely Tribute. RIP 'El Toro' Fernando Valenzuela