At 63 years old, Fernando Valenzuela, the renowned MLB pitching prodigy, passes away.

In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela captivated the baseball world, and now, at the age of 63, he has passed away.

Valenzuela, a rookie with the Los Angeles Dodgers, passed away Tuesday while battling health issues.

In 1981, he was awarded both the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year honors in the National League, and he played a crucial role in helping the Dodgers win the World Series title against the New York Yankees.

Valenzuela died Tuesday after battling health conditions. He was 63.

The World Series match between the Dodgers and Yankees is set to take place three days from now, marking their 12th encounter and the first since Valenzuela's heroics in the 1981 Fall Classic.

The Dodgers announced Valenzuela's passing on Tuesday night without disclosing the cause of his death.

Valenzuela, a Mexican-born pitcher, played in Major League Baseball for 17 seasons before becoming the Dodgers' Spanish-language broadcaster in 2003. He recently stepped away to prioritize his health, the team announced.

As a 20-year-old, he was quickly promoted from the minors to the majors and called up as a relief pitcher in the 1980 season, born in Navojoa, Mexico.

In 1981, after Dodgers starter Jerry Reuss was injured the day before Opening Day, Tommy Lasorda assigned Valenzuela to make his first MLB start.

"During a 2023 broadcast, Valenzuela recounted how Tommy Lasorda approached him and asked, "Are you ready to pitch tomorrow?" Valenzuela replied, "I'm ready," and shared that he was eager to demonstrate his abilities."

Valenzuela started the season with a 2-0 win over the Houston Astros. He had an 8-0 record, with five shutouts, and a 0.50 earned-run average to begin the season.

In the strike-shortened season, he had a 192-inning lead in the National League and a 180-strikeout lead in the majors, ending the season with a 13-7 record, 2.48 ERA, 11 complete games, and eight shutouts.

Valenzuela pitched for the Dodgers from 1980-90, but was unceremoniously released just before the 1991 season. He then went on to pitch for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals. After 17 seasons, he retired with a 173-153 record, 3.54 career ERA, and 2,074 strikeouts.

The Dodgers have retired only one number, No. 34, for a player who is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and this player has two World Series championships.

The Dodgers and Yankees will face off in the World Series for the 12th time this season, making it the most matchups in the Fall Classic's history. This is the first time the teams have met since Valenzuela's rookie year in 1981.

During the 2021 World Series, which commences with Game 1 on Friday night in Los Angeles, Valenzuela will be recognized at Dodger Stadium.

Fernando was a remarkable ambassador for baseball, as stated by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday night. He consistently supported the growth of the game through the World Baseball Classic and at MLB events in his home country. As a member of the Dodger broadcasting team for over 20 years, Fernando helped to reach a new generation of fans and cultivate their love of the game.

"Dodger history will forever cherish Fernando as a beloved figure, and the millions of Latino fans he inspired will always hold him dear."

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