Fernandomania: Los Angeles Falls In Love with Fernando Valenzuela

In the 1980s, 19-year-old Fernando Valenzuela was discovered playing in the Mexican leagues and was recruited to Los Angeles. While he expected to ease into the big leagues with enough practice, on Opening Day 1981, both Dodgers pitchers were injured and the rookie from Sonora, Mexico was called to the mound. His eight consecutive wins led to the phenomenon known as “Fernandomania” taking over Los Angeles.