The famous Dodgers and baseball fans mourn the death of Fernando Valenzuela

Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela He died on Tuesday, October 22 at the age of 63, but his legacy will live on among sports fans for decades to come.

Valenzuela made a splash from the moment he took the mound in 1981 for the Dodgers. He inspired “Fernandomania” due to his success (winning his first eight starts) and eventually won the National League Cy Younger Award and the Rookie of the Year Award.

He pitched for 17 seasons in the MLB and upon retiring became a Spanish-language announcer for the Dodgers in 2003. Valenzuela was also an icon in the Latino community in Los Angeles and throughout the United States.

After his death, Dodgers supervisor David Roberts He vowed to do everything possible to lead the team to a World Series victory in Valenzuela's honor.

“In 2020 we lost Kobe Bryant. So Anthony Davis led the Lakers to a championship,” Roberts wrote via X on Wednesday, October 23. “Yesterday we lost Fernando Valenzuela. Every man on the current Dodgers roster will lead us to the title. You can leave it on record.” (The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in the first game of the 2024 World Series on Friday, October 25.)

Scroll down to see some of Valenzuela's biggest fans and how they paid tribute to the late player:

Magic Johnson

“May one of the best Dodgers of all time rest in peace, Fernando Valenzuela,” the former Los Angeles Lakers player and current co-owner of the Dodgers. wrote via X On Wednesday. “He was one of the most dominant pitchers to ever wear a Dodgers uniform and inspired 'Fernandomania' because of his incredible play! This is a huge loss for Dodger Nation and baseball fans around the world. Cookie and I are praying for his wife and the entire Valenzuela family 🙏🏾.”

Orel Hershiser

“He created love: love for the game, love for the team, love for everything,” said the former Dodgers pitcher, who played alongside Valenzuela during an appearance on SportsNet LA On Wednesday. “And he brought a lot of pride to the Latino community.”

Hershiser shared, “He had an incredible sense of humor. … We are very lucky to have had him.”

Nomar Garcíaparra

“He wanted to say a lot. “We all know today is definitely a sad day,” the former Dodgers shortstop said during the SportsNet LA transmission On Wednesday. “It had a big impact.” [on Latino fans and players]. …It was inspiring. It inspired me to believe that you can achieve your dream. And put on that Dodgers uniform, which I was lucky enough to be able to do.”

Jorge Lopez

“Players change but the greats never leave your heart! I will miss Fernando! the actor wrote via X On Wednesday. “The impact he made, the excitement he created on the mound with the bat, you couldn't take your eyes off him! Well, that's life! Thank you Fernando.”

dusty baker

“We had a thing where I spoke Spanish, [and] He would help me with my Spanish. “I would make him speak English and I would help him with his English,” Valenzuela’s former Dodger teammate recalled during an appearance on SportsNetLA. “I would tell him that he was a star because he was from the day he got there. … He was a fun-loving guy.”

rich eisen

“RIP to the great Fernando Valenzuela,” Eisen wrote via Rich Eisen show. During the episode, the journalist recalled Valenzuela's start as a Dodger.

“What happened over the next six weeks is the stuff of legend. Things you rarely see. Things Dodger fans will never forget,” he recalled, highlighting all the shutout games he pitched in his first season with Los Angeles. “The streak that created ‘Fernandomania’ is absolutely extraordinary.”

Eisen called the late player “incredible” and said Valenzuela “is now chatting with [Dodgers announcer] Vin Scully in heaven.”

David Roberts

“Rest in peace Fernando”, the Dodgers supervisor he tweeted on Tuesday. “We will win it just for you!!”

Mario Lopez

“63 is too young… A piece of my childhood is gone,” López wrote via X on Tuesday, sharing a photo with Valenzuela. “Growing up as a Mexican kid, one of the main reasons I'm a Dodgers fan is because of Fernando. Being the youngest of 12 children, he is the only one to have won the Cy Younger Award, Rookie of the Year AND World Series Most Valuable Player, all in the same year. All at 19 years old… And he also knew how to hit! I won a couple of Silver Slugger awards.”

And he added: “Not only a great player, but a great man for the community. What a legend… Thanks for everything friend. Rest in peace #ElToro #Valenzuela #34 #RIP #Dodgers.”

karen bass

The mayor of Los Angeles shared a photo from Dodgers Stadium while paying tribute to the player on Tuesday. “Tonight, our city mourns a legend,” he wrote. through social networks. “For millions, Fernando Valenzuela was more than a baseball player. He was an icon that transcended the limits of hope and dreams. Period the voice of a game that we hold very close to our hearts. “His charisma was palpable and his excellence undeniable.”

Bass concluded: “Period a world champion, from start to finish. My thoughts are with @Dodgers fans everywhere as we commemorate the loss of a great Angeleno. Thank you, Fernando.”

Jessica Mendoza

“My heart is so broken,” the Olympic softball gold and silver medalist tweeted. “An absolute legend and was one of the many reasons I fell in love with Dodger baseball 💔🥹#Fernandomaniaforever @Dodgers @SportsNetLA.”

Richard Roeper

“Despite all the shutouts, Fernando Valenzuela's most impressive performance might have been Game 3 of the 1981 World Series, when he allowed 9 hits and 7 walks while recording a complete victory in 147 pitches. Pure heart. RIP to a legend,” Roeper tweeted along with a clip from that epic game.

danny trejo

A day before his death, when Valenzuela was sick, Trejo sent him love via X. “God bless Fernando Valenzuela,” the actor and longtime Dodgers fan wrote on Monday, October 21.