Sports Celebrating the legacy of Fernandomania 40 years later April 8, 2021 Before refuting the premise by. And this was everywhere we went. Then again, the Dodgers are. Odds to win 2018 World Series Your email address will not be published. The Dodgers havent retired Fernando Valenzuelas number, but his impact on baseball, especially among Latinos in L.A., makes him Hall of Fame worthy. And for good reason. Seriously, if commissioners can receive baseballs highest honor for creating the stage on which todays players perform, a player should be able to too. The young southpaw would come out of nowhere to absolutely dominate en route to a Rookie of the Year award and a Cy Young. Fernando Valenzuela will be certified as the most popular Dodger player in Los Angeles franchise history. 19 was retired after he died suddenly in 1978. The Dodgers released Valenzuela at the end of spring training in 1991, and they havent issued number 34 to anyone since. Valenzuela: If anybody wants to wear it, its fine. Valenzuela helped carry the Dodgers to the World Series title and became the first pitcher to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same season. Fernando Valenzuela was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. Valenzuela was a late-season call-up in 1980, but his legend grew as the Dodgers' emergency starter on Opening Day, 1981, when he hurled a 2-0 shutout over the Houston Astros. "In my book, that's when Fernandomania started," said Dodgers Hall of Fame Spanish broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, who also served as Valenzuela's interpreter. Fernandomania? Lasorda looked Fernando Valenzuela, who was all of 20 years old, up and down and asked if he was ready to start the next day. In an overt campaign by the fans, Kasten has been confronted with the appeal daily during his walks around the stadium. Clayton Kershaw adds to his Dodgers legend with another pitching gem. Its been clear what Fernando means to fans. Jaime Jarrn, Julio Uras, Dave Roberts and Max Muncy praise the Dodgers decision to recognize the impact Fernando Valenzuela had on the franchise. On the same number subject, can we again think of retiring 14 ? Because though making the major league minimum salary of $32,500 in 1981, he would become the first player to win both the National League Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards. More than 40 years later, Dodger Stadium looks more like Los Angeles than any other sports venue in this city. As a 20-year-old, Valenzuela caught the attention of fans when he pitched for the National League (NL) Los Angeles Dodgers in the opening game of the 1981 season and shut out the Houston Astros. Schedule | Complete coverage . But the Dodgers need to make it official, and give Fernando Valenzuela the pomp and circumstance he richly deserves. Valenzuela, at the time the No. MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. Jarrn has often remarked on their loyalty. "No single player created more baseball fans than Fernando," Jarrin said. Corrections? The announcement was made at the Dodgers FanFest celebration on a stage in right field at Dodger Stadium. I guess not.. Fernando Valenzuela: From Rookie Of The Year To World Series Champion The widespread calls spoke to the enormity of Valenzuelas legacy. Ive been with the bases loaded but never something like this. The Fernando Valenzuela magic is alive and well. Sure! Why So Many Venezuelans Are Desperate To Leave Reserve your tickets, map your route, and work out all the details for your arrival in Cooperstown. What Fernando did in his first 8 starts was a streak for the ages: 8 wins, 7 complete . Kasten broke the news to Valenzuela earlier this week, appropriately on the pitchers mound at Dodger Stadium. Valenzuela was so populara phenomenon known as Fernandomaniathat attendance increased by an average of 9,000 fans whenever he pitched in road games. Right now, I dont see anyone wearing that number, so that would be nice, no? Within days, Los Doyers had signed Valenzuela for $120,000. Ive said it before, and I say it in measured tones, but the 1981 season and Fernandomania bordered on a religious experience, recalled longtime Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully. He was the first pitcher to win his first eight career starts since Dave "Boo" Ferris did it in 1945 for the Boston Red Sox. 19 in 1978 after his sudden death from a massive brain hemorrhage, every Dodgers ownership group has abided by that mandate. "That helped a lot," Valenzuela said. "He was something never seen before," Jarrin said of Valenzuela. The cultural phenomenon of Fernandomania, which turned Dodger Stadium into a Cinco de Mayo celebration every time the native of Etchohuaquila, Mexico, took the mound has deep roots with Houston. The Dodgers wont yet confirm that Gavin Stone will make his major league debut on Wednesday but a hint to why it will happen was dropped Sunday. He created more baseball fans, and Dodger fans, than any other player, said Jarrn, who called Dodger games from 1959-2022. On April 9, 1981, in front of 50,511 fans, the Dodgers faced off against the defending NL West champ Houston Astros and triumphed, thanks to a complete game, five-hit shutout by the rookie from Etchohuaquila. Gil Hodges number 14 was retired by the Mets after less than 3 years of service,. Valenzuela was signed in 1979 for $120,000. Not just at Dodger Stadium. In 1933, Mel Almada changed the course of baseball history forever. In case you were wondering and he was Plaschke is rhymed with Great Gatsby.. Valenzuela had a career record of 173 wins and 153 losses. What he accomplished during his playing career, not only on the field but in the community, is extraordinary. Then the decline began, he left the Dodgers and played for the .