Alex Padilla: “I rise today as a proud, lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers fan to recognize the achievements and legacy of Fernando ``El…”

“I rise today as a proud, lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers fan to recognize the achievements and legacy of Fernando ``El Toro'' Valenzuela, whose jersey will soon be retired by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fernando Valenzuela stunned the baseball world, captured the hearts of millions of Californians, and inspired Little League baseball players, future Major League Baseball Hall of Famers, and Mexican Americans across the country to dream big. The youngest of 12 children, Valenzuela was born and raised in the small town of Etchohuaquila, in Sonora, Mexico. His parents Avelino and Maria were poor farmers who worked the land with their children. Valenzuela learned to play baseball from his older brothers and started pitching professionally in Mexico at the age of 17. Discovered by legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito, Valenzuela soon made his Major League debut at the age of 19. In 1980, his first season, he pitched in relief in 10 games and did not surrender a single earned run. The 1981 season saw the cultural phenomenon of ``Fernandomania,'' which brought one of the best stretches of pitching in Major League Baseball history. He was on the mound for the Dodgers as their opening day starting pitcher and proceeded to win his first eight starts--at that time, the longest such streak since World War II. He finished the season with 11 complete games, 8 shutouts, and a 2.48 ERA.…”