Legendary Mexican pitcher Fernando Valenzuela was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum through the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee, which evaluates players whose main career was from 1980 onwards. This is his first such opportunity, after having failed to achieve sufficient support in previous Baseball Writers’ Association of America(BBWAA) processes.
The committee’s official announcement reveals that Fernando Valenzuela will compete alongside seven other impact figures such as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy and Gary Sheffield. Voting will take place on December 7, 2025, during the MLB Winter Meetings, and the results will be announced publicly that evening. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, each candidate must receive at least 75 percent of the vote (i.e., at least 12 of the 16 committee members).
His legacy transcends numbers
Fernando Valenzuela, known as “El Toro”, left an indelible mark on the Major Leagues and the Latino community in the United States.
He debuted with the Los Angeles Dodgers and starred in the explosion of “Fernandomania” in the 1980s.
In 1981, he won Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards in the same season – a historic achievement.
During his career he accumulated 173 victories, an effectiveness of 3.54 and more than 2,000 strikeouts.
Its social impact was also enormous: it helped consolidate a Latino fan base in Los Angeles and beyond.
What is the next step?
He will compite alongside seven other influential figures
QuéOnnda.com
Attention now turns to the December 7, 2025 vote.
If Fernando Valenzuela gets at least 12 of the committee’s 16 votes, he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame class of 2026.
For the Hispanic community living in the United States, Fernando Valenzuela’s nomination represents more than a sporting candidacy:
It is a cultural recognition.
His rise – from a small town in Sonora to become an MLB icon – reflects the aspirations of many Latinos in the U.S. who are looking for role models in professional sports.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
