Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela passes away at 63 days before Los Angeles' return to World Series

Los Angeles Dodgers fable Fernando Valenzuela has passed distant astatine property 63, days earlier his beloved squad returns to nan World Series to look nan New York Yankees. 

The Dodgers announced nan news precocious Tuesday evening pinch nary origin of decease given. 

Valenzuela went from obscurity to superstardom successful 1981 during a play known arsenic 'Fernandomania' erstwhile he became nan only subordinate to triumph a Cy Young Award and Rookie of nan Year successful nan aforesaid season. 

The Dodgers station announcing Valenzuela's passing had 2 phrases connected it, 1 successful Spanish and 1 successful English. 

'Fernandomania por siempre' and 'Fernandomania forever.' 

Valenzuela played successful nan awesome leagues from 1980 until his status successful 1997. 

During his first 8 starts of nan 1981 season, Valenzuela allowed only 4 earned runs and had a complete-game triumph each clip he took nan mound. 

He was named nan Opening Day successful 1981 by head Tommy Lasorda aft Jerry Reuss sewage wounded a time earlier. He responded pinch a 2-0 triumph complete Houston, opening nan play pinch an 8-0 record, including 5 shutouts, and an 0.50 earned-run average. 

'Tommy Lasorda came up to maine and said, "Are you fresh to transportation tomorrow?" I said, "I’m ready,"' Valenzuela recalled. 'That’s what I was looking for, nan opportunity to show what I tin do.'

Valenzuela stayed adjacent to nan franchise aft retirement. He was nan colour commentator connected nan Spanish-language broadcasts for its SportsNet LA cablegram transmission until earlier this month. 

The Dodgers had announced Valenzuela had been hopeful to return to nan booth adjacent season, arsenic he stepped speech to attraction connected his health. 

The Etchohuaquila, Mexico autochthonal is credited  for drafting ample numbers of Latino fans to Dodger Stadium and they nicknamed him “El Toro” — nan Bull. He proved a immense tie connected nan roadworthy arsenic well. 

Valenzuela’s pitching mobility — glancing skyward astatine nan apex of each windup — was a hit, too. His signature transportation was nan screwball, taught to him by teammate Bobby Castillo successful 1979.

During his warmups, ABBA’s deed 'Fernando' blared from nan speakers.

Valenzuela spent nan first 11 of his 17 years successful nan fields pinch Los Angeles. He helped nan Dodgers triumph nan 1981 World Series, winning nan NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of nan Year aft he went 13-7 pinch a 2.48 ERA successful 25 starts.

The six-time All-Star won astatine slightest 10 games and made astatine slightest 25 starts successful 9 seasons pinch nan Dodgers. He went 21-11 pinch a 3.14 ERA successful 1986, throwing 20 complete games and finishing 2nd to Mike Scott successful balloting for nan NL Cy Young Award.

Valenzuela appeared successful his past large convention crippled pinch St. Louis successful July 1997. He vanished his playing profession pinch a 173-153 grounds and a 3.54 ERA successful 453 games, including 424