There are few professional athletes who transcend their sport as much as Fernando Valenzuela. The legendary pitcher, who died Tuesday at age 63, became a household name among even non-baseball fans in Los Angeles during his standout 1981 season.

On Wednesday, Democratic presidential nominee and incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement on Twitter/X commemorating Valenzuela’s legacy.

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“Fernando Valenzuela was a baseball legend who united a generation of Dodgers fans in collective joy, excitement and awe. He inspired countless young baseball players – in America, Mexico and around the world – to pursue their own greatness.

“As a player, broadcaster and Angeleno, Fernando Valenzuela left an indelible mark on our nation. Doug (Emhoff, her husband) and I send our prayers to his wife Linda, as well as their children and grandchildren.”

Born in Mexico, Valenzuela rose to mainstream stardom in 1981 as a 20-year-old pitcher for the Dodgers. He threw complete games in each of his first eight starts that season; five were shutouts.

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Valenzuela finished the season 13–7 with a league-high 180 strikeouts in 192.1 innings, winning both the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards.

After electrifying the Los Angeles fan base for 11 years (1980-90), Valenzuela went on to pitch for the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1991-97.

Over 17 MLB seasons, Valenzuela went 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA. Although he could never duplicate his success as a rookie, Valenzuela made six All-Star teams with the Dodgers, collecting a Gold Glove and two Silver Slugger Awards along the way.

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Valenzuela is a member of the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame and has appeared on Dodgers Spanish-language broadcasts for the past 22 years.

Valenzuela continued to endear himself to Angelenos, young and old, by maintaining a visible presence at Dodger Stadium and in the community.

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Last year, in honor of Mexican American Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium, he helped Dodger players and staff package and distribute food to more than 400 primarily Mexican American families facing food insecurity in East Los Angeles.

On October 2, the Dodgers announced that Valenzuela would be stepping back from his broadcasting duties to focus on his health. No cause of death has been announced.

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