De La Hoya Pays Tribute to Fernando Valenzuela
Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela died on October 22, 2024, at age 63. Oscar De La Hoya, who grew up watching the Mexican-born pitcher in East Los Angeles, remembered him as a source of pride and possibility for Latino fans. Valenzuela’s impact reached beyond the mound: his 1981 season became “Fernandomania,” a landmark moment in baseball and Los Angeles culture.
A season that made history
Valenzuela arrived as a young Dodgers pitcher from Mexico and captured national attention in 1981. He won both the National League Cy Young Award and the league’s Rookie of the Year Award that season—the first and, to date, only player to earn both in the same year. The Dodgers went on to win the World Series, and the run of early victories by the left-hander helped launch the phenomenon known as Fernandomania.
Valenzuela spent most of his major-league career with Los Angeles, later pitching for several other clubs before retiring in 1997. He returned to the Dodgers as a Spanish-language broadcaster and remained closely connected to the organization and its fans. The Dodgers retired his No. 34 in 2023.
De La Hoya’s personal memory
In an ESPN oral history of Fernandomania, De La Hoya recalled watching Valenzuela pitch with his family on a small television. He described the pitcher as someone who helped his community imagine a wider future, and said the pride Valenzuela inspired stayed with him. De La Hoya later wore Valenzuela’s No. 34 jersey when he threw a ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium in 2016.
That connection helps explain why the tribute resonated beyond the usual boundaries between sports. Valenzuela’s success gave Mexican American families a star who looked and sounded like people in their own communities, while his achievements made him a central figure in Dodgers history.
An enduring Dodgers legacy
Valenzuela also continued working as a broadcaster until stepping away near the end of the 2024 regular season because of health concerns. The Dodgers announced his death without initially disclosing a cause. His legacy is measured in more than awards and statistics: for many fans, he helped create a lasting connection between Los Angeles, the Dodgers and generations of Latino supporters.
Sources: MLB and the Dodgers on Valenzuela’s life and career; ESPN oral history, including De La Hoya’s memories; Reuters on his passing and baseball career.
Sources
Tags: MMA, Combat Sports
