Fernando Valenzuela, Former Los Angeles Dodgers Pitcher, Los Angeles, CA

Fernando Valenzuela is one of the most influential figures in Los Angeles Dodgers history. The left-handed pitching sensation from the small town of Etchohuaquila in Navojoa, Mexico, launched “Fernandomania” in 1981 with one of the most dominant starts for a rookie to begin a season in Major League history.

Valenzuela’s dominance re-energized the Dodger fanbase and created a multi-generational, multi-cultural impact that will live on in LA for years to come.

Valenzuela, at age 20, was the surprise 1981 Opening Day starter and shut out the Houston Astros, beginning a run of eight consecutive wins — five by shutout. He is the only pitcher in Major League history to win Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award honors in the same season. Valenzuela also helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series championship in 1981.

Eleven of Valenzuela’s 12 starts at Dodger Stadium in 1981 were sold out and attendance increased by an average of 9,000 fans whenever he pitched in road games. He became a cultural icon in the Latino community in the United States and a hero in his home country.

“El Toro,” the master of the screwball, played 17 Major League seasons, including 11 with the Dodgers from 1980-1990 where he was a six-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner for his prowess with the bat, and a Gold Glove Award winner.

His 173 victories and 2,074 strikeouts are the most for any Mexican-born Major Leaguer.

In 2003, Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers as a Spanish-language broadcaster. Also in 2003, he was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame, which is committed to preserving the history and profound influence that Hispanic players have had on the world of baseball in the United States. He continues to broadcast games for the Dodgers, and in 2022 he had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.