Just announced by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Fernandomania was such a fun and exciting time to be a Los Angeles Dodgers fans, and he helped to grow the fan base exponentially. And in his prime, he was a damn good pitcher, and not too shabby of a hitter. First player to win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young in the same year. He threw his only no-hitter in 1990, his last year as a Dodger. Rest in Peace, Fernando.
Here’s a brief story on ESPN. Fernandomania was an amazing thing; he was an outstanding pitcher in his early years in the league, and he was fun to watch. As the OP notes, he was a pretty good hitter: he won two Silver Slugger awards, as the best hitter among pitchers in the NL.
About 20 years ago, I was at a minor-league baseball game in Wisconsin, and looking at the lineup sheets in the program…Fernando’s son, Fernando Valenzuela Jr., was playing for the visiting team!
He was the only non Hall of Famer to have his number retired by the Dodgers.
Sad news, indeed.
Sad to hear. I just vaguely remember him as a player.
Over this summer, I read two books about the 1981 season. They Bled Blue and Split Season, I’d recommend both for a look back at Fernandomania
Also Jim Gilliam
As a sports fan, I consider myself lucky to grow up in Los Angeles during the 80’s.
I used to love watching him pitch. What an arm!
Damn, I should have known that. That’s what I get from trusting last night’s media reports, although I’m sure they were all scrambling to get the story out.
Regardless, Gilliam was posthumus. Fernando was honored when he was alive.