Dusty Baker reminisced about the games. Not the ones where Fernando Valenzuela would dominate with his signature screwball, but the moments in between. Valenzuela’s talent extended beyond his iconic windup, which he honed on the mounds of Etchohuaquila, a small Mexican town. Valenzuela excelled at hitting, often remaining benched at Dodger Stadium even on days he didn’t pitch. He was also skilled at fielding, earning a Gold Glove.
But what impressed Baker the most was Valenzuela’s ability to play hacky sack, eyes fixed on the sky just like when he pitched.
“That was the first time I had seen someone so good at it,” Baker recalled in a phone conversation.
Baker was 31 when the 19-year-old Valenzuela made his debut with the Dodgers in 1980. As a running joke, Valenzuela would tap Baker on the shoulder to catch him off guard and chuckle in amusement.
“Fernando was a kid,” Baker remarked. “He acted like a kid, except when he was on the mound.”
The Dodgers announced Valenzuela’s passing on Tuesday, at the age of 63. The man behind “FernandoMania” in 1981 is no more, but his legacy remains.
Dusty Baker and Fernando Valenzuela were friends from the start and forged a long-lasting bond. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today)
Valenzuela was not the first Mexican superstar, nor will he be the last, but there will only ever be one Fernando. Over one summer, at the age of 20, an entire city became familiar with the soft-spoken left-hander, and that connection has endured.
“He packed the stadium wherever we went,” Baker said. “Especially with Latin American fans, he made everyone proud.”
Valenzuela’s rise to stardom brought about a cultural transformation in Los Angeles, rejuvenating a Mexican American community affected by the Dodgers’ arrival and the displacement of families at Chavez Ravine.
Valenzuela’s debut in 1980 was unassuming, with 10 scoreless appearances. His first start in 1981 came on Opening Day, replacing an injured Jerry Reuss. Valenzuela responded by pitching a five-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over the Houston Astros.
“Fernando was The Man, even as a kid,” Baker reflected.
Valenzuela’s relationship with the Dodgers soured over time, leading to his retirement in 1991. Despite the complexities of his tenure with the team, his bond with the city and its people remained strong.
Valenzuela may have left us, but his impact on Los Angeles, and the Dodgers, is everlasting.
“He came to us like an angel when we needed him the most,” Baker said.
As Valenzuela’s teammate from 1980 to 1983, Baker looked out for him, much like Alou and Aaron did for him during his time with the Atlanta Braves. When Baker reconnected with Valenzuela at Dodger Stadium in August, he took the time to be with his former teammate, who was battling illness.
“He pitched like a man but was always a boy,” Baker noted. Valenzuela’s intelligence and youthfulness were evident, despite his success on the field.
Valenzuela’s career was marked by eight shutouts in 25 starts, earning him the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award in 1981.
The Dodgers, buoyed by Valenzuela’s prowess, clinched the World Series title against the New York Yankees in 1981, a feat that hasn’t been repeated since. Valenzuela’s passing just days before Game 1 of the Series at Dodger Stadium serves as a poignant reminder of his enduring influence.
(Top photo from 1985: Rick Stewart / Getty Images)