"On Nov. 11, 1981, Fernando Valenzuela became the first rookie to ever win the Cy Young Award, edging Tom Seaver of the Cincinnati Reds. Valenzuela additionally was named 1981 National League Rookie of the Year and took home a Silver Slugger for his remarkable season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Mike Piazza, Corey Seager and Valenzuela are the only Dodgers to win Rookie of the Year and a Silver Slugger Award in the same season."
"Valenzuela strung together eight consecutive victories (five shutouts) to start the season, which fell one shy of tying Dave Ferris' MLB record for most starts in a row won by a rookie. Valenzuela pitched to a 0.50 ERA and had 68 strikeouts during his impressive stretch. He went on to finish the season 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA, 11 complete games, eight shoutouts and led all pitchers with 180 strikeouts."
"In his 17-year Major League career Valenzuela won 173 games and yielded a 3.54 ERA. He was a six-time All-Star and part two World Series teams during his tenure with the Dodgers, and was inducted into the Mexican baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. Valenzuela retired from baseball in 1997 and spent 16 years as a Spanish-language color commentator for the Dodgers into the 2024 season. Valenzuela passed away in October 2024."
Fernando Valenzuela became the first rookie to win the National League Cy Young Award in 1981 and also earned Rookie of the Year and a Silver Slugger. He debuted in 1980 but broke out in 1981 at age 20, starting Opening Day and compiling eight consecutive victories with five shutouts, a 0.50 ERA and 68 strikeouts during the streak. He finished 1981 at 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA, 11 complete games, eight shutouts and a league-leading 180 strikeouts. Over 11 seasons with the Dodgers he went 141-116 with a 3.31 ERA; his 17-year career totaled 173 wins and a 3.54 ERA. He was a six-time All-Star, part of two World Series teams, was inducted into the Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, retired in 1997, spent 16 years as a Spanish-language Dodgers commentator into 2024, and passed away in October 2024.
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