Los Angeles Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela has died after being hospitalized earlier this month for an unspecified health issue, the Dodgers confirmed Tuesday. Valenzuela was 63 years old at the time. The Mexican native is considered one of the iconic players in Major League Baseball history as the left-handed pitcher became the first and only player to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards. of the year in the same season in 1981. When he also became the first rookie to lead the National League in strikeouts in 1981, the Dodgers won the World Series that season. He made his MLB debut at age 19 with the Dodgers on September 15, 1980.

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Valenzuela, nicknamed “El Toro,” the Bull, by fans, drew countless Mexican-American fans to Dodger games, creating a craze known as Fernandomania. Valenzuela retired from baseball after the 1997 season, finishing his career with a 173-153 record and a 3.54 ERA. He played in 453 games and started 424. Dodgers President and Chief Executive Officer Stan Kasten released a statement expressing the team’s sadness over the loss of Valenzuela. “He is one of the Dodgers’ most influential people ever and deserves to be honored as a team hero,” Kasten’s statement read. “He electrified the fanbase with the 1981 Fernandomania season and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has passed away. too soon. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Linda, and his family.”