Fernando Valenzuela made me pay attention to the game.

For me, baseball in the early 1980’s was a mixed bag. I still had some affinity to the New York Yankees (especially pitcher Ron Guidry and slugger Reggie Jackson), but I also liked the power of the Pittsburgh Pirates (heck, Willie Stargell could knock any pitch over the center field wall with ease).

But how could you ever pass up watching a Los Angeles Dodgers game, especially when Fernando Valenzuela was on the mound? The gaze into the heavens on each pitch. The throws that would make batters swing at air. Fernando Valenzuela brought joy and energy and excitement to baseball in a way most fans couldn’t appreciate at the time.

Let me just show you a few of his many, many highlights.

Look at this game from 1981 – Fernando Valenzuela is holding a 1-0 lead for the Dodgers against the Mets, and he’s pitching into the ninth inning. Yes, back in the day, many pitchers actually threw the entire game, and didn’t need a relief pitcher or a setup man to finish the game. I know, right?

This is from 1986, when Fernando Valenzuela pitched in the All-Star Game and struck out – in a row – Don Mattingly, Cal Ripken Jr., Jesse Barfield, Lou Whitaker and Teddy Higuera – only the second time in All-Star Game history that a pitcher struck out five consecutive batters.

And in 1990 … when he no-hit the Cardinals. Listen to Vin Scully make the call.

If you want to learn more about Fernando Valenzuela, I’ll recommend this excellent documentary the Los Angeles Times produced about his life and career.

in fact, there were several tribute songs written about Fernando Valenzula during his career – this one …

And this one, which definitely has the hops and dance of a Fernando Valenzuela screwball.

And this one. Some great stuff.

It was reported that Fernando Valenzuela passed away last night. 63 years old. 173 wins against 153 losses, a World Series championship in 1981, six All-Star Game appearances, a no-hitter in 1990, and the undying love of Dodgers fans around the world.

Rest in power, champion. What you brought to the Dodgers and to baseball was excitement and power and talent and unbridled joy. And no one will ever forget that.