Edad Fernando Valenzuela
## **Fernando Valenzuela: The Mexican phenom who captivated baseball** ### **Early life and career** Fernando Valenzuela was born in Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico on November 1, 1960. He began playing baseball at a young age, and by the time he was 17, he was pitching for the Leones de Yucatán in the Mexican League. In 1979, he was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent. Valenzuela made his major league debut in 1980, and quickly became one of the most popular players in baseball. He was known for his unorthodox windup, which featured a high leg kick and a pause at the top of his motion. He also had a devastating screwball, which he used to strike out batters at a high rate. ### **1981 season** In 1981, Valenzuela had a breakout season, going 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA and 180 strikeouts. He also won the Rookie of the Year Award and was named to the All-Star team. The Dodgers won the World Series that year, and Valenzuela was a key contributor, pitching a complete game in Game 5. ### **Later career** Valenzuela continued to pitch well for the Dodgers in the early 1980s, but he began to decline after the 1986 season. He was traded to the California Angels in 1990, and he pitched for several other teams before retiring in 1997. ### **Legacy** Valenzuela is considered one of the greatest Mexican-born baseball players of all time. He was a five-time All-Star, a Cy Young Award winner, and a World Series champion. He was also the first Mexican-born player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Valenzuela's impact on baseball went beyond his on-field accomplishments. He was a role model for Mexican-American youth, and he helped to break down barriers for other Latino players. He is still considered one of the most popular players in Dodgers history, and his number 34 is retired by the team. ### **Personal life** Valenzuela is married to Linda Burgos, and they have three children. He is a devout Christian, and he is involved in several charitable organizations. He currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
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