‘Wow, that is a punchout,” said the commentator as Oscar De La Hoya threw the ceremonial first pitch to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez before the Dodgers took on the Padres in 2016. Besides the perfect pitch, what stood out was the No. 34 Dodgers jersey he wore, one that had attained immortality thanks to one man: Fernando Valenzuela. Perhaps those visuals flashed through ‘The Golden Boy’s mind as he bid goodbye to the legend one final time.

‘El Toro’ left the world on Tuesday, the Dodgers announced. “The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela.” But as was evident from their subsequent posts, one of which read, “Fernandomanía por siempre. Fernandomania forever,” he left behind a flood of memories. And De La Hoya has always been proud of his association with Valenzuela.

Unlike Oscar De La Hoya, who probably knew his career trajectory since he first put on his boxing gloves as a four-year-old – considering his grandfather was an amateur boxer and his father was a professional one – Fernando Valenzuela’s baseball career started completely by chance. That’s right. A chance meeting in 1978 that wasn’t even meant for the pitcher gave the Mexican-American the break he needed.

At the time, Dodgers scout Mike Brito went to Guanajuato, Mexico, to see a shortstop named Ali Uscanga. But during a game, the soon-to-become ‘Fernandomania’ stepped onto the mound and threw three straight strikes to strike Uscanga out. Per Brito, that was the moment he “forgot all about the shortstop.” The legendary scout signed Valenzuela in 1979 instead, and after a season in the minor leagues, he stepped up to the MLB in 1981. As he took that first step to becoming legendary, somewhere close by, LA-born Oscar De La Hoya was turning into a Dodgers fan.

In an emotional tribute, the Barcelona Olympic gold medalist recalled how Fernando Valenzuela, the progenitor of ‘Fernandomania,’ sparked a lifelong admiration for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also fondly remembered the close friendship he shared with the baseball icon. “R.I.P. ‘TORO,’ we would play golf on Sundays at the Monte Cholo golf course, and he was always quiet, kind, polite, and always amazing with the fans that really cared for him,” wrote an emotional Oscar De La Hoya.

Recalling the memory of that ceremonial first pitch from 2016, wearing Valenzuela’s No. 34, the boxer continued, “Throwing out the first pitch with his jersey on was a true honor, not to mention left-handed like the legend he will always be.” The adjoining clip featured his brief entrance into the baseball park. In 2016, during the game between the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres, the six-division world champion stepped in wearing the No. 34 jersey.

At the pitcher’s mound, ‘The Golden Boy’ turned his cap around and threw the ball—with his left hand! Like Oscar De La Hoya, Valenzuela was a lefty, too. But what was surprising about De La Hoya’s left-handed pitch was that, throughout his boxing career, he used the orthodox stance, not the Southpaw. So, the fact that De La Hoya could emulate the Dodgers icon right down to his throwing arm meant a lot to ‘The Golden Boy.’

As a result, De La Hoya subsequently lifted his hands as the crowd cheered. The fame of the Southpaw pitcher wearing jersey number 34 reached legendary proportions. Even after he left the LA Dodgers, Fernando Valenzuela’s reputation commanded immediate reverence amongst fans and followers. After retiring from professional baseball in 1997, Fernando Valenzuela became a Spanish broadcaster for the Dodgers. And just as he was beloved on the field, he came to be loved in the commentator’s booth, too!

However, before the 2024 MLB postseason, Valenzuela reportedly pulled out of broadcasting duties to prioritize his health. Announcing this in a statement, the Dodgers added, “He and his family truly appreciate the love and support of fans as he aims to return for the 2025 season, and they have asked for privacy during this time.” Unfortunately, ‘El Toro’ passed away on October 22 after a short battle with liver cancer, aged 63.

Fernando Valenzuela: A distinguished journey filled with laurels

Fernando Valenzuela quickly rose to fame due to his outstanding performance as a pitcher. Given that he played in Los Angeles, a city with a significant Hispanic population, he received strong support. His popularity soared and led to what came to be known as ‘Fernandomania.’ From 1981 to 1986, ‘El Toro’ was consistently selected as an All-Star.

Valenzuela’s career with the LA Dodgers lasted for almost a decade. Released in 1991, he played with several other teams, such as the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres. He eventually ended his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997.

Though widely known as a pitcher, Fernando Valenzuela was a very good hitter, too. In their tribute message, MLB Network shared glimpses of ‘Fernandomania’ as it evolved over the years and said, “Fernando Valenzuela captivated the baseball world in 1981. His unforgettable year included winning the NL Rookie of the Year, the Cy Young Award, and a World Series title.”

With the Dodgers set to take on the Yankees in the World Series, the Los Angeles franchise shared a picture of a black jersey path with “Fernando” and “34” embossed. They announced, “In memory of our hero Fernando Valenzuela, the Dodgers will wear this patch on their uniforms during the World Series and throughout the 2025 season.”

As it’s often said, every team once in a while receives that signature player whose legacy endures long after they have left. Fernando Valenzuela was one of them. Though the LA Dodgers retired his famous jersey last year, for fans, ‘El Toro’ will live on forever.

If you’d like, feel free to pay tribute to Fernando Valenzuela in the comments section below.