Legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela dies at 63.

 Legendary Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela dies at 63.

Fernando Valenzuela, the legendary Mexican-born pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who ignited "Fernandomania" and captured both the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors in 1981, has passed away at the age of 63.

The Dodgers announced that Valenzuela died Tuesday night at a hospital in Los Angeles. While the team shared the sad news, they did not disclose further details about the cause of death.

Valenzuela's passing comes as the Dodgers gear up for the World Series opener on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, where they will face off against the New York Yankees. Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred stated that Valenzuela will be honored during the Series at Dodger Stadium.

After a remarkable 17-season career in Major League Baseball, Valenzuela transitioned to broadcasting in 2003, serving as a Spanish-language announcer for the Dodgers. He had taken a step back from broadcasting duties before the playoffs this year to "focus on his health," according to the team.

Valenzuela first made his mark in the 1980 season, debuting as a reliever. Born in Navojoa, Mexico, he captured the spotlight during the strike-shortened 1981 season. With an injury sidelining Dodgers pitcher Jerry Reuss just before Opening Day, manager Tommy Lasorda handed the ball to the 20-year-old Valenzuela, who had never started a major league game.

Valenzuela responded with a stellar 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros, kicking off the season with an 8-0 record, including five shutouts, and an incredible 0.50 ERA.

"Tommy Lasorda came up to me and said, 'Are you ready to pitch tomorrow?' I said, 'I'm ready,'" Valenzuela recalled in 2023. "That’s what I was waiting for—the chance to show what I could do."