Valenzuela’s phenomenal start to the 1981 season ignited the craze and boosted interest in the team among the region’s Mexican-American fan base.
Former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws a ceremonial first pitch before the 2022 MLB All-Star Game on July 19, 2022 at Dodger Stadium. LOS ANGELES — One of the most beloved figures in franchise history, responsible for bringing an entire demographic into the team’s fan base, Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela died Tuesday night.
“I hate to compare him to Jackie Robinson. It wasn’t breaking the color barrier. But what he did … he was a change agent.”Born in a small town in Navajoa, Mexico as the youngest of 12 children, Valenzuela was discovered by legendary scout Mike Brito in 1978. Brito was on a scouting mission in Guanajuato to evaluate a shortstop on one of the teams. Valenzuela came on in relief and struck that player out.
The large Hispanic community in Los Angeles had never embraced the Dodgers after they unceremoniously took over Chavez Ravine to build Dodger Stadium, displacing many in the process. But they embraced Valenzuela and filled the stadium for his starts. During Valenzuela’s warmups, ABBA’s hit “Fernando” blared from the speakers. Latino fans turned out in large numbers on the road too – to see “El Toro,” the Bull.“He meant so much to the Latino fan base,” Jarrin said Tuesday.
Before the game, the Dodgers were gathered around a TV to watch Oakland A’s pitcher Dave Stewart throw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.
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