Fernando Valenzuela Nominated for MLB Hall of Fame Recognition

Fernando Valenzuela, the iconic Mexican pitcher known for his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is a nominee for the Hall of Fame. His candidacy will be evaluated by the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee this December. This committee focuses on players whose main careers were from 1980 onward. The decision is particularly poignant as it comes a year after Valenzuela’s passing.

Valenzuela’s Historic Career

If selected, Valenzuela would make history as the first Mexican player inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame. His impact on baseball goes beyond statistics. Valenzuela’s rise in 1981 changed the relationship between Major League Baseball and the Latino community. At just 20 years old, he garnered both the Cy Young Award and the National League Rookie of the Year, an accomplishment no other player has matched.

Unforgettable Achievements

• 11 complete games in 1981
• 8 shutouts in the same season
• A career ERA of 3.34 from 1981 to 1990
• Over 230 innings pitched per season during his peak years
• Six-time All-Star

Valenzuela’s entire career spanned 17 seasons, resulting in 173 victories and 2,074 strikeouts. He also won two World Series championships, cementing his legacy in baseball history.

Voting Details

The voting for the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will occur on December 7 during the winter meetings in Orlando, Florida. A candidate needs 75% support from a 16-member panel to enter Cooperstown. The results will be revealed at 7:30 p.m. ET on that date.

Other Nominees

Valenzuela is among eight candidates, including notable names like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Bonds, a former outfielder with the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates, leads MLB in home runs with 762. However, his legacy is marred by doping allegations.

• Barry Bonds – 762 career home runs
• Roger Clemens – 354 career wins, seven Cy Young Awards
• Carlos Delgado
• Jeff Kent
• Don Mattingly
• Dale Murphy
• Gary Sheffield

Each of these players represents a unique chapter in baseball history over the past four decades.

Understanding the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee

The Contemporary Baseball Era Committee was established in 2022 following a restructuring of the Hall of Fame. This committee meets every three years to reevaluate retired players from since 1980, focusing on their broader impact and contributions to the sport.

The results will be aired on MLB Network, and new inductees will be honored on July 26, 2026, in Cooperstown.