Fernando Valenzuela was only twenty years old when Tom Lasorda chose him as the Dodgers' opening-day starting pitcher in 1981. Born in the remote Mexican town of Etchohuaquila, the left-hander had moved to the United States less than two years before. He became an instant icon, and his superlative rookie season produced Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards--and a World Series victory over the Yankees. Forty years later, there hasn't been a player since who created as many Dodgers fans.
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](http://prodimage.images-bn.com/pimages/9781496231017_p0_v2_s1200x630.jpg)
Daybreak at Chavez Ravine: Fernandomania and the Remaking of the Los Angeles Dodgers [Book]
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com/f00000000039958/www.yaamava.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/230816175_YPROMO%20Fernandomania%20Giveaway_Trivia%20Night_Social_FB%20Event%20Image_1920x1080-min.jpg)
Fernando Valenzuela Week Kicks Off with Yaamava
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/sharonherald.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/b2/eb25fac8-3961-11ee-8923-430f262556e6/64d80bbe69f3e.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C773)
Fernandomania' lives again at Dodger Stadium with retirement of
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eb6d953/2147483647/strip/true/crop/480x270+0+45/resize/1200x675!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F4dcvx9i-ahg%2Fhqdefault.jpg)
Fernandomania @ 40 - Full Documentary - Los Angeles Times
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://images.bookstore.ipgbook.com/images/book_image/large/9781637273050.jpg)
If These Walls Could Talk: Los Angeles Dodgers
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/17/46/01/20865101/6/1200x0.jpg)
Remembering 'Fernandomania' four decades on, and how it changed
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2017/10/26122448/Valenzuela1-e1509035129167.jpg)
The day Fernando Valenzuela threw 146 pitches in a complete-game
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://www.enfuegonow.com/.image/ar_4:3%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_1200/MTkyMzU4NjE4MTQ0Nzc3NDU4/fernando-valenzuela_hero-image_1920x1080_v2-copy.jpg)
Fernando Valenzuela's Legacy Has Earned A Number Retirement - En Fuego
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/styles/story_popup_thumb_540/public/Valenzuela%20Fernando%20165-2009-56_Act_NBL%20Sauritch.jpg.jpeg?itok=Ssm0e3KE)
Fernandomania made it all the way to Cooperstown
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](https://sabr.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1981-Brown-Scott.jpg)
August 11, 1981: Reds' Scott Brown records his only major-league
![Author Talks Fernandomania and the Dodgers of 1981](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ki5EPOdCHyM/S-h3AFT49wI/AAAAAAAAGzs/_hAvaNEUmTM/s1600/valenzuela.jpg)
Sons of Steve Garvey: Share Your Memories of Fernandomania