The sports world is in mourning after the terrible death of the Los Angeles Dodgers legend was announced. Fernando Valenzuela. The Sonoran had been hospitalized in the last two weeks and there was hope that he would be able to leave soon, however, his departure left a great legacy in several teams both in Mexico as in his foray into the United States.
From the official accounts of Los Angeles Dodgers It was revealed that the Sonoran’s fight with the liver complications he suffered led him to suffer multiple organ collapse, according to information from the sports network ESPN.
This generated great commotion in the Californian baseball community, but, above all, in the wave of Mexican fans who saw him crowned as the best in his position in the 1990s with the blue and white team and who gave him legendary status. of national sport along with personalities such as Hugo Sánchez and Julio César Chávez.
In addition to the great career he had with the team led by Tommy Lasorda for 10 years, ‘El Toro’ stood out for having an extensive career in the local leagues and in the MLB where he achieved the title of immortal being, after his retirement, a Consecrated ambassador of the Dodgers. In case you still don’t know the career of the Sonora native, here are all the teams he played with:
MLB
- Los Angeles Dodgers (1980-1990)
It was his most iconic team and where he had the most success.
He won the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in 1981.
Numbers with the Dodgers: 141 wins, 116 losses, 3.31 ERA (earned run average), 1,736 strikeouts.
It was a short season with the Angels.
Numbers: 8 wins, 10 losses, 4.34 ERA, 78 strikeouts.
He only played one season.
Numbers: 0 wins, 2 losses, 4.94 ERA, 7 strikeouts.
- Philadelphia Phillies (1994)
He played one season with them.
Numbers: 1 win, 2 losses, 4.91 ERA, 16 strikeouts.
- San Diego Padres (1995-1997)
He had a decent performance in the final stretch of his career.
Numbers: 13 wins, 14 losses, 3.83 ERA, 121 strikeouts.
- St. Louis Cardinals (1997)
He played his final season with the Cardinals.
Numbers: 0 wins, 1 loss, 5.56 ERA, 4 strikeouts.
Throughout his MLB career, Valenzuela compiled a record of 173 wins, 153 losses, a 3.54 ERA, and 2,074 total strikeouts.
Mexico
- Tucson Toros (Mexican Pacific League – Pre MLB)
Valenzuela had a brief experience in Mexico’s minor leagues with the Tucson Toros, although there is no specific data on his statistics on this team.
- Yucatan Lions (Mexican Baseball League – 1979)
Before joining the Dodgers, Valenzuela played one season with the Leones de Yucatán in the Mexican Baseball League.
Numbers: 5 wins, 6 losses, 2.49 ERA, 141 strikeouts in 138 innings pitched.
This performance caught the attention of Major League scouts and was key to his arrival at the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo (Mexican Pacific League)
Valenzuela was an important figure in the Naranjeros de Hermosillo team, one of the most successful teams in the Mexican Pacific League.
He was part of the championship team in the 1979-1980 season, before his debut in the Major Leagues.
In 1982, he returned to help the Naranjeros win the Caribbean Series and established himself as an international star. There are no exact records of his numbers that season, but he was crucial to the team’s success.
- Mexicali Eagles (Mexican Pacific League – Post MLB)
After his time in the Major Leagues, Valenzuela played with the Águilas de Mexicali in the winter leagues.
Although complete statistical records are not available, Valenzuela played in several seasons with them, standing out as an emblematic figure in Mexican baseball.
- Tigres de Quintana Roo (Mexican Baseball League – 1992)
During one of his breaks in the Major Leagues, Valenzuela played with the Tigres de Quintana Roo in the Mexican Baseball League.
His performance in Mexico helped him maintain his form and continue competing at a high level. The specific numbers from that season are not fully documented, but it was a brief experience.
