MLB News: Kamala Harris Issues Statement on Fernando Valenzuela's Death

Few professional athletes go beyond their sport like Fernando Valenzuela. The legendary pitcher, who died Tuesday at age 63, became a household name even among non-baseball fans in Los Angeles during his standout 1981 season.

On Wednesday, Democratic presidential candidate and incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement on Twitter/X recalling Valenzuela's legacy.

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“Fernando Valenzuela was a baseball legend who united a generation of Dodgers fans in collective joy, excitement and awe. He inspired countless young baseball players – in America, Mexico and around the world – to pursue their own greatness.”

“As a player, broadcaster and Angeleno, Fernando Valenzuela left an indelible mark on our nation. Doug (Emhoff, her husband) and I extend our prayers to his wife Linda and their children and grandchildren.”

A native of Mexico, Valenzuela became a mainstream star in 1981 as a 20-year-old pitcher with the Dodgers. He threw complete games in each of his first eight starts this season; five were shutouts.

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Valenzuela finished the season 13-7 with 180 strikeouts in 192.1 innings and won both the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards.

After electrifying the Los Angeles fan base for 11 years (1980-90), Valenzuela played for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1991-97.

In 17 MLB seasons, Valenzuela went 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA. Although he never achieved his success as a rookie, Valenzuela made six All-Star teams with the Dodgers and collected a Gold Glove and two Silver Slugger Awards along the way.

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A member of the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame, Valenzuela has appeared on Spanish-language Dodgers broadcasts for the past 22 years.

Valenzuela continued to endear himself to Angelenos young and old by remaining a visible presence at Dodger Stadium and in the community.

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Last year, during Mexican American Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium, he helped Dodger players and staff pack and distribute food to more than 400 predominantly Mexican American families experiencing food insecurity in East Los Angeles.

On October 2, the Dodgers announced that Valenzuela was stepping down from his broadcasting duties to focus on his health. No cause of death was announced.

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