RIP Fernando Valenzuela

[Bob78164]

The Dodgers announced that Fernando Valenzuela passed away today. The announced early in the month that he was stepping away from the broadcast booth to focus on his health, with the hope of returning in 2025. He was just short of his 64th birthday. --Bob

[littlebeast13]

Never got to see him pitch, but I did get to "see him" traded for. I was in attendance for what was supposed to be the first ever interleague game for the Cardinals on June 13, 1997 against the Guardians Indians. The game got rained out, but before it did, they announced on the scoreboard that the Padres had traded Valenzuela to the Cards in a six player deal. That short stint in St. Louis wound up being the last stop on the Fernandomania tour...

lb13

[Vandal]

He was must watch baseball during his first few years. Unfortunately, his arm was ground to pulp by Lasorda and he was never the same when he moved on.

I saw him pitch against Nolan Ryan at Dodger stadium in April of 1984:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxe ... 4250.shtml

I drove up from San Diego, where I was in training for my eventual assignment in Cold Lake, Alberta. I bought a walk up ticket and sat in the outfield seats. Not great viewing, but great atmosphere. Fernando threw a complete game.

RIP El Toro