Bill Text: CA AR128 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction of Fernando Valenzuela.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 57-15-1)
Status: (Passed) 2022-08-24 - Read. Adopted. [AR128 Detail]
Download: California-2021-AR128-Introduced.html
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION
House Resolution
No. 128
| Introduced by Assembly Members Reyes, Aguiar-Curry, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Bloom, Mia Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lee, Levine, Low, McKinnor, Medina, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Ting, and Akilah Weber |
August 11, 2022 |
Relative to the National Baseball Hall of Fame induction of Fernando Valenzuela.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HR 128, as introduced, Reyes.
Digest Key
Bill Text
WHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea is recognized for having uplifted Latinos in Los Angeles and across the State of California through his achievements as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and various teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), but he has not yet been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela was born on November 1, 1960, in the town of Etchohuaquila in Sonora, Mexico, the youngest of 12 children to Avelino and Hermenegilda (Anguagmea) de Valenzuela; and
WHEREAS, While Fernando Valenzuela worked on his parents’ farm during the mornings, and worked on a ranch in the evenings, he would always find time to play baseball with his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela’s talents were quickly recognized, as he was signed at the age of 17 to pitch for the Mayos de Navojoa. Due to his success, Fernando Valenzuela was eventually elevated to a triple-A level team, the Leones de Yucatán, where Fernando Valenzuela’s pitching prowess caught the eye of the late Mike Brito, a talent scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers; and
WHEREAS, After a strong outing in the Mexican League, Fernando Valenzuela was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He would go on to pitch for the Dodgers’ minor league teams, where he perfected his iconic screwball pitch, a pitch that would soon mesmerize players and fans alike in the Major Leagues; and
WHEREAS, Through his hard work, Fernando Valenzuela was called up to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the age of 19 at the end of the 1980 season where he played as a relief pitcher through 10 games—earning 17 scoreless innings; and
WHEREAS, On the fateful opening day of the 1981 season, then-manager Tommy Lasorda named Fernando Valenzuela as the starting pitcher against the Houston Astros, which ended in a nine-inning shutout and led to a Dodger victory. This iconic opening day start sparked “Fernandomania” in the City of Los Angeles, and eventually across the nation, as Fernando Valenzuela would go on to win the National League Cy Young Award and the National League Rookie of the Year Award. That day was also integral to the Dodgers’ 1981 World Series Championship run; and
WHEREAS, Due to his humility and hard work, Fernando Valenzuela became an icon for Latinos in Los Angeles, California, and he helped heal the wounds caused by the displacement of Mexican American families during the acquisition of Chavez Ravine and the eventual construction of Dodger Stadium. While that history remains a strong reminder of the need for social justice, Fernando Valenzuela elevated the Latino image, giving the community a strong representative in not only the game of baseball, but in society as a whole; and
WHEREAS, As a son of farmworkers, a Latino immigrant far from his home, and a trailblazer seeking success not only for himself, but for his family and community, Fernando Valenzuela gave everyone a champion to root for; and
WHEREAS, Unlike many ballplayers of his time, Fernando Valenzuela gave Latino children a familiar image and an opportunity to see themselves through the eyes of a champion, a champion who came from a similar background and shared many of the lived experiences so many Latinos across the state had experienced; and
WHEREAS, Through his 10-year tenure with the Dodgers, Fernando Valenzuela was a six-time All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award Winner, a Gold Glove Award Winner, and he threw a no-hitter. Fernando Valenzuela solidified his position amongst the greatest ballplayers, thus earning his nickname “El Toro” (the Bull); and
WHEREAS, Upon retirement, Fernando Valenzuela amassed over 2,000 recorded strikeouts and pitched over 100 complete games; and
WHEREAS, Following his playing career with teams, including the California Angels and the San Diego Padres, Fernando Valenzuela has continued to impact the baseball community as a Spanish-speaking commentator for the Los Angeles Dodgers; and
WHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela continues to inspire Latinos through his community work with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and through his own actions, including providing resources and hosting events for low-income communities in Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, Fernando Valenzuela’s legacy continues fostering positive impact. The baseball community, the City of Los Angeles, and the State of California, are all truly grateful for his hard unwavering work; and
WHEREAS, Despite his legacy, Fernando Valenzuela has not been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California,That the Assembly hereby honors the legacy of Fernando Valenzuela; and be it further
Resolved,That the Assembly proclaims that Fernando Valenzuela has earned his place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame; and be it further
Resolved,That the Assembly urges the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to induct Fernando Valenzuela into its National Baseball Hall of Fame; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the author for appropriate distribution.
