Fernando Valenzuela’s impact went far beyond Southern California and his native Mexico.
The former National League Cy Young Award winner, a rookie of the year and pitching sensation of a World Series team who passed away at age 63 Tuesday in a Los Angeles hospital, was hugely popular and known around the globe.
“It seemed like everyone in the world was going crazy except the eye of the hurricane,” said Mark Langiil, the Dodgers’ longtime historian and South Pasadena resident, recalling Valenzuela’s easy-going, fun-loving and light-hearted demeanor. “Fernando never changed – a humble and modest superstar who was beloved by both fans and teammates.”
Joining the Dodgers in 1981, the man who inspired “Fernandomania” remains the only Major League pitcher to win his first eight career starts, noted Langill of the Dodger phenom who launched “Fernandomania.”
“You first admired him as a pitcher. If you were lucky to be around him at the ballpark, whether as a writer or member of the front office, you realized what a special person he was,” added Langill. “As team historian, he’d drive me crazy by shrugging his shoulders if I wanted a detailed answer about a great performance. But the same person would spend 20 minutes showing off his granddaughters and their Halloween costumes. He was a dedicated family man and although he didn’t seek the spotlight, he knew his potential impact on the community by encouraging kids to stay in school and pursue their dreams.”
Just three months into his first season in a Dodger uniform, wearing now retired No. 34, Valenzuela was a guest at a White House reception hosted by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Mexico’s Jose Lopez Portillo.
Over the years, he became a baseball ambassador everywhere, especially drawing a new fan base from the Mexican and Hispanic community as his popularity only grew. Following the end of his career, Valenzuela was a fixture at Dodger Stadium, calling the action down on the field as part of the Spanish-language television broadcast team.
Prior to taking on the role as Dodgers team historian, Langill, a graduate of South Pasadena High and Cal State Northridge, was a sportswriter, covering the Dodgers for the Pasadena Star-News.
“You first admired him as a pitcher,” remembers Langill. “If you were lucky to be around him at the ballpark, whether as a writer or member of the front office, you realized what a special person he was,”
As team historian, Langill laughs, looking back to days when Valenzuela was in Dodger Blue, becoming instant icon and idol of both young and old. “He’d drive me crazy by shrugging his shoulders if I wanted a detailed answer about a great performance. But the same person would spend 20 minutes showing off his granddaughters and their Halloween costumes. He was a dedicated family man and although he didn’t seek the spotlight, he knew his potential impact on the community by encouraging kids to stay in school and pursue their dreams.”
As word spread of his passing, Langill was left with a memory he won’t ever forget about the man who meant so much to so many.
“I will always remember his sense of humor,” he said, recalling a famous actor, mime artist and oldest of the Marx Brothers. “He was like Harpo Marx with a wink or playful smile.”
Dodger officials did not disclose Valenzuela’s cause of death.
