Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea

Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea was born the youngest of twelve children in the small village of Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico. Discovered by legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito while pitching in the Mexican League, Valenzuela signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1979, perfecting an unhittable screwball taught to him by teammate Bobby Castillo.

On Opening Day in April 1981, with scheduled starter Jerry Reuss injured, 20-year-old Valenzuela made an emergency start and threw a shutout. He won his first eight starts, pitching seven complete games and five shutouts. His unorthodox skyward gaze during his windup, devastating screwball, and humble demeanor ignited "Fernandomania," packing Dodger Stadium and transforming generations of Southern California Latinos into lifelong baseball devotees. Valenzuela led the Dodgers to the 1981 World Series title, pitched a no-hitter in 1990, and was a six-time All-Star. He spent two decades as the beloved Spanish-language radio voice of the Dodgers, who retired his No. 34 jersey in 2023.