Fernando Valenzuela, a legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, passed away in October, yet his influence remains significant. Valenzuela's MLB career spanned 17 seasons, notable for his accomplishments, including being the first player to win both Rookie of the Year and a Cy Young award in the same year. His time in Los Angeles sparked 'Fernandomania,' inspiring many Mexican-American fans to engage with baseball and the Dodgers. Actor Edward James Olmos emphasized Valenzuela's role in bridging cultural gaps and unifying the community, making him an icon for Latino baseball players and fans alike.
Fernando brought about a big change to this community. Before Fernando came to play, Chicanos especially would not go to the stadium because of what had happened in Chavez Ravine. He did an awful lot for the unification of the city.
Valenzuela is credited with popularizing the game of baseball among Mexican-American fans. 'El Toro' became a hero to many Latino fans and paved the way for other Mexican players to reach the majors.
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