The Inspiring Journey Of The Late Fernando Valenzuela: Growing Up In A Modest Household with 11 Siblings To Becoming A Baseball Legend

Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea, a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers of MLB and Spanish-language radio color commentator, recently passed away on October 22, Tuesday, at the age of 63.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced Fernando Valenzuela’s demise on their social media with the caption,

Similarly, MLB shared a heartfelt post on Twitter stating, “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela.“

Many of the legendary baseball pitcher’s fans and followers sent their sincere condolences to his family and loved ones in response to his demise.

Valenzuela was born in Etchohuaquila, a small farming village in Sonora, Mexico, on November 1, 1960, to mother Maria, aka Emergilda, and father Avelino Valenzuela.

Similarly, Fernando Valenzuela grew up in a poor household with five sisters and six brothers. His parents farmed with the help of their 12 children to survive.

Fernando Valenzuela, the youngest of his 11 brothers and sisters, lived in a whitewashed adobe house with five rooms and no running water in the community.

However, despite struggles, Fernando Valenzuela developed a passion for sports from a young age while playing baseball with his brothers and sisters.

Likewise, his and his family’s struggle didn’t go in vain as Etchohuaquila’s local team, the Navojoa Mayos, signed Fernando in 1977, the beginning of his professional baseball career.

When talking about Fernando Vanenzula’s siblings, very little information about his brothers and sisters, including their names and professions, is available publicly as they prefer to live private lives away from public eyes.

Moreover, one of his elder brothers’ names is Rafael Anguamea Valenzuela, a former baseball player; however, no information is available about him.

Fernando Valenzuela Is Survived By His Wife Linda And Four Children

Fernando Valenzuela was not just a great baseball player and commentator but also a great husband to his wife, Linda.

Moreover, the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Famer married his long-term wife, Linda Burgos, in December 1981. Linda worked as a schoolteacher in Mexico.

The couple had four children together, including two sons, Fernando Jr. and Ricardo, and two daughters, Maria Fernanda Valenzuela and Linda Valenzuela.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela.

“Fernandomania” swept through baseball in 1981 when the 20-year old rookie sensation began the season 8-0 with a 0.50 ERA. The lefthander capped off his incredible year by winning both the… pic.twitter.com/a28H5Cptox

— MLB (@MLB) October 23, 2024

Likewise, their eldest son, Fernando Valenzuela Jr., was born on September 30, 1982, in San Pedro, CA.

He followed in his father’s footsteps and played baseball as a first baseman for the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox of MLB.

Fernando Valenzuela also played minor league baseball in Mexico and independent leagues.

Similarly, Fernando’s sons helped him run his business. Fernando was the co-owner of the Mexican League team Tigres de Quintana Roo, where his eldest son Fernado Jr. served as team president, and his other son Ricardo served as general manager.

Fernando Valenzuela’s daughters, Linda and Maria, prefer to live a private life and haven’t shared much about her personal life.

Additional Information

• Fernando Valenzuela retired from baseball in 1997 after the 1997 season with the St. Louis Cardinals.
• In 2003, Fernando returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers organization as the Spanish-language radio color commentator for National League West games.
• He was further switched to the color commentator job on the Spanish-language feed of SportsNet LA.
• Fernando Valenzuela had seven grandchildren.