The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off the 2024-25 NBA season with a win.

The Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103 of their season opener at Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The Timberwolves had no reply for Anthony Davis, who bought it performed on each side of the ground. Davis completed the competition with 36 factors, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, three blocks and one steal within the win. Rui Hachimura added 18 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas LeBron James completed with 16 factors, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. 

It marked not solely the common season debut of head coach JJ Redick, however the debut of rookie Bronny James, who briefly checked in for 3 minutes within the second quarter. Bronny James made historical past alongside his father —they’re the primary father-son duo to play in the identical NBA sport.

“It’s at all times been household over every thing. I misplaced quite a lot of time due to this league … so to have the ability to have this second the place I’m working alongside my son is among the best items I’ve bought from the person above,” LeBron James stated after the sport. “I’m tremendous pleased with him. He’s my lifeline for certain.”

Timberwolves vs. Lakers highlights

Remaining rating: Lakers 110, Timberwolves 103

Lakers reply after Timberwolves shut hole

The Timberwolves got here inside 4 factors of the Lakers, 85-81, with 10:38 remaining within the contest. The Lakers responded with a 6-0 run to increase their lead again to double digits, 91-81, with 8:36 left. The run was capped off by an alley-oop dunk for Jaxson Hayes, who blocked Mike Conley’s 3-point try on the opposite finish of the ground. Hayes has given the Lakers impactful minutes off the bench and has scored 10 factors, pulled down 4 rebounds and recorded one block in 14 minutes of play. 

Finish of third quarter: Lakers 82, Timberwolves 74

The Timberwolves have turned the ball over 15 occasions via the primary three quarters, yielding 17 factors to the Lakers. But Minnesota is simply down eight factors heading into the fourth quarter. 

The Lakers have been the extra bodily workforce and have dominated the paint, 54-28. Los Angeles additionally has 14 offensive rebounds in comparison with Minnesota’s eight. 

Anthony Edwards leads the T’Wolves with 19 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas Anthony Davis has a team-high 25 factors for the Lakers. 

Anthony Davis has a double-double 

Anthony Davis is taking on the Lakers’ season opener. The middle has a double-double with 22 factors and 10 rebounds, along with three assists, one steal and one block with 2:30 remaining within the third quarter.

Watch: Anthony Davis denies Rudy Gobert at rim

Anthony Davis denied Rudy Gobert in epic style. With the Lakers main 64-50 with 7:08 remaining within the third quarter, Davis swatted a dunk try from Gobert, the reigning defensive participant of the yr. 

Halftime: Lakers 55, Timberwolves 42

The Lakers have a 55-42 lead over the Timberwolves at halftime after main by as many as 19 factors within the first half. Each groups are taking pictures about 41% from the sphere, however the Lakers have had 14 further shot makes an attempt within the sport due primarily to the Timberwolves’ double-digit turnovers (11). 

The Lakers have 10 offensive rebounds, in comparison with the Timberwolves’ 5, and have outscored Minnesota 36-18 within the paint. 

Anthony Edwards is the one Timberwolves participant in double figures with 14 factors (5-of-11 FG, 3-of-7 3PT) and three rebounds. Julius Randle has 5 factors in his Minnesota debut. 

Anthony Davis leads the Lakers with 12 factors, whereas Rui Hachimura has 11 and LeBron James has eight. Bronny James was held scoreless in three minutes of play within the first half. 

LeBron James slams down dunk 

Welcome to Yr 22. LeBron James confirmed that he is nonetheless bought it as he slammed down a dunk off a bounce move from Austin Reaves to prolong the Lakers’ lead over the Timberwolves to 53-39 with 2:14 remaining within the second quarter. James turns 40 in December. 

The scene in LA as Bronny James makes NBA debut

LOS ANGELES — Bronny will get the ball close to the 3-point line and the gang sounds disillusioned as he provides it up quite than launching a shot.

Lakers timeout. That stretch with LeBron and Bronny lasted 1:36. 

Bronny credited with a tipped shot — blocked by Rudy Gobert — and an offensive rebound.

Extra to return. Following a Lakers timeout, right here come father and son for extra.

“Ohhhhhhh” — Crowd’s response when Bronny misses an open 3 with about 1:40 left within the quarter.

And Bronny exits. He went 0-for-2 from the sphere in his 3 minutes.

Bronny James makes debut, takes courtroom with father LeBron

LeBron James and his son Bronny James have made historical past. 

Bronny made his NBA debut within the Lakers’ season-opener in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday, checking in alongside his dad with 4:00 remaining within the second quarter with the Lakers up 51-37. LeBron and Bronny are the primary father and son to play in the identical sport in NBA Historical past.

Rookie Dalton Knecht impressing in debut

Dalton Knecht’s debut has gotten off to an important begin. Knecht, the seventeenth choose within the 2024 draft, gave the Lakers some good minutes off the bench. He knocked down a 3-point shot to increase the Lakers’ result in 10, 37-27 and spurred a 14-5 run. Knecht is up 5 factors, one rebound and one help in 10 minutes of play.

LeBron James hits the bench

LOS ANGELES — LeBron exits the sport and takes a seat subsequent to Bronny on the finish of the bench.

If they can not share the courtroom, no less than they’ll share the bench.

Lakers have 7-point lead in second quarter

The Lakers went on a 10-1 run to take their largest lead of the sport, 34-27. 

The Lakers have dominated the Timberwolves within the paint, outscoring them 22-10. Offensive rebounds have additionally been an element. The Lakers have snagged eight offensive rebounds and have put up 14 further shot makes an attempt than the Timberwolves, who’ve 4 offensive rebounds. 

LeBron and Bronny James: Greatest pictures

Finish of first quarter: Timberwolves 23, Lakers 22

The Lakers led by as many as six factors within the first quarter, earlier than the T’Wolves closed the quarter on an 11-4 run to take their first lead of the sport, 23-22. The Lakers have missed their final 5 area purpose makes an attempt.

Anthony Edwards leads Minnesota with eight factors, whereas Jaden McDaniels has 4 factors. The Timberwolves are taking pictures 44.4% from the sphere and 1-of-4 from 3.

Anthony Davis has a team-high six factors, whereas LeBron James has 4 factors. Collectively, the Lakers are taking pictures 30.8% from the sphere and 2-of-11 from 3.

‘We would like Bronny!’ chant get away

LOS ANGELES — As Anthony Davis will get able to shoot a second free throw with about two minutes left within the first quarter, a couple of followers start to chant. “We would like Bronny! We would like Bronny!”

No luck thus far, Lakers followers.

Gabe Vincent, Max Christie and Jaxson Hayes have been the primary three off the bench for the Lakers.

Rudy Gobert agrees to contract extension with Timberwolves

Simply earlier than the Minnesota Timberwolves opened the season in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday, they reached a three-year, $110 million extension with middle Rudy Gobert, an individual with information of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports activities.

The particular person spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of the extension isn’t but official.

Gobert, the four-time Defensive Participant of the Yr, is now underneath contract with Minnesota via 2027-28 for a complete of $153.8 million.

As soon as the Timberwolves traded Karl-Anthony Cities to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, locking up Gobert past this season turned a necessity for a workforce attempting to win the Western Convention. Minnesota reached the convention finals final season however misplaced to Dallas. — Jeff Zillgitt

LeBron James slams down dunk

The Lakers have an 11-7 lead over the Timberwolves with 6:44 remaining within the first quarter. Minnesota has turned the ball over 3 times within the first 5 minutes of the competition, which has led to 4 factors for the Lakers. In a single sequence, Anthony Davis stole the ball from Mike Conley with 8:39 remaining within the quarter, resulting in a slam dunk from LeBron James in transition. 

Ken Griffey Jr. and pop share second with LeBron, Bronny

What do the Jameses and Griffeys have in frequent? They’re among the many father-son duos to play in the identical sport collectively. 

Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. first did so on Aug. 31, 1990, after they turned the primary father-son duo to play in the identical MLB sport. LeBron James and Bronny James need to do the identical on the basketball courtroom on Tuesday when the Lakers tip off their season in opposition to the Timberwolves. 

The quartet shared a second on the courtroom collectively forward of the Lakers’ season opener and took a photograph to commemorate the second. 

When is the Timberwolves vs. Lakers sport?

Tip-off for the opening night time sport between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers is Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 10:00 p.m. ET from Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles, California.

The place is Timberwolves vs. Lakers sport?

The Lakers will host the Timberwolves in downtown Los Angeles at Crypto.com Area.

Methods to watch Timberwolves vs. Lakers sport

The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers matchup will likely be broadcast on TNT because the second sport in an NBA back-to-back presentation. You may as well stream on Sling. 

Watch the NBA on TNT with a Sling subscription

NBA video games at this time: Opening night time schedule 

Listed here are the tip-off occasions and TV data for the opening night time double-header:

All occasions are Japanese 

Lakers beginning 5 tonight

• Austin Reaves
• D’Angelo Russell
• Rui Hachimura
• LeBron James
• Anthony Davis

Timberwolves beginning 5

• Anthony Edwards
• Mike Conley
• Julius Randle
• Jaden McDaniels
• Rudy Gobert

Is Bronny James enjoying tonight?

The Lakers and Timberwolves are a star-studded conflict of titans. Nevertheless, a rookie will steal a lot of the highlight on Tuesday. LeBron’s son, Bronny, will likely be on the roster to open season play, but it surely stays to be seen if he’ll contact the courtroom. 

James Williams breaks down what we all know thus far about James and provides us his preseason stats.

Bronny James preseason stats

James appeared in all six of the Lakers’ preseason video games, averaging 4.1 factors and 1.6 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per sport. Within the Lakers’ ultimate preseason sport, a 74-132 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Friday, James recorded 17 factors, 4 rebounds, three steals and one block in a career-high 35 minutes of labor.

LeBron James hazes rookie Bronny James

Bronny James might need a well-known father, however he’s nonetheless getting rookie remedy. From his personal father!

Nicely, as scripted by Nike, no less than. The footwear and attire firm launched a spot that includes LeBron and Bronny on the day of the Lakers opener — and LeBron was as much as mischief.

Let’s hope Bronny had dependable transportation Tuesday when he left for the Lakers’ season opener. — Josh Peter

What’s on JJ Redick’s thoughts on huge night time

LeBron and Bronny James will get prime billing. However the sport will likely be Redick’s teaching debut – and his first time teaching within the Lakers’ Crypto.com Area. (The workforce’s preseason video games have been held elsewhere.)

So how was he feeling about two hours earlier than tipoff?

“I simply ordered a stir fry again within the locker room,’’ Redick stated with a smile. “Not going to lie. I am fairly enthusiastic about that proper now simply to get some meals.

“However I believe no matter I envisioned in my earlier life, that is gone. That is who I’m now. I am a coach and so I do not really feel like tonight is in any respect about me. It is about our workforce and it is about our teaching employees and our group and what we have performed thus far when it comes to our work and our preparation.’’

LeBron James affected person about making historical past with Bronny

LeBron James recommended he’s in no rush to share the courtroom with son Bronny.

“Every time it occurs, it can occur,” he stated Tuesday after shootaround, in keeping with ESPN. “If it is tonight or if it is down the road, every time it occurs, it can occur. Nevertheless it’s been a deal with, and simply in preseason, the practices, simply on daily basis … simply bringing him in control of what this skilled life is all about and how one can put together on daily basis as an expert.”

Bronny performed in all six of the Lakers’ preseason video games.

Ken Griffey Jr and Ken Griffey Sr will likely be at Lakers sport 

When LeBron James and Bronny James take the courtroom for the primary time as members of the Los Angeles Lakers, will probably be a second like no different in NBA historical past. That is why former MLB stars Ken Griffey Jr. and Ken Sr., the primary father-son duo to play in the identical Main League Baseball sport, will likely be readily available Tuesday night time because the Lakers open the 2024-25 common season at house in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

“First father and son to play baseball, now first father and son to play basketball, so it is a huge deal for my dad and I to be there,” Griffey Jr. stated on MLB Community Radio earlier this week. “We made historical past, now we get to look at historical past.” 

Bronny James described the Griffeys being in attendance as “insane.” He added, “I imply, solely two households to do it, so it’s going to be a loopy expertise, particularly (with) what they’ve performed.”

Learn extra from Steve Gardner. 

Contained in the NBA enters ultimate season 

Tuesday is the final first sport of the season for TNT’s fashionable and award-winning “Contained in the NBA” program and crew. Ernie Johnson. Charles Barkley. Kenny Smith. Shaquille O’Neal. A collective nationwide treasure, if sports activities exhibits may be thought of nationwide treasures. 

Learn Jeff Zillgitt’s full column on how they’ve woven their method into the colourful cloth of the NBA via the tv display – a superbly imperfect mix of basketball, severe debate, humor, leisure and life.

LeBron James coming into twenty second season

LeBron James is on the brink of embark on his twenty second season, tying Vince Carter for essentially the most seasons performed in NBA historical past. James is considered one of solely six gamers which have performed greater than 20 seasons — Carter (22), Dirk Nowitzki (21), Kevin Garnett (21), Kevin Willis, (21) and Robert Parish (21).

Timberwolves vs Lakers all-time file 

The Timberwolves and Lakers have performed 129 occasions throughout the common season of their histories, with Los Angeles getting the higher of the head-to-head matchup, 85-44. The 2 have met twice within the playoffs, in 2003 and 2004. The Lakers took each sequence, 4-2. 

NBA season predictions 

The specialists at USA TODAY Community supply predictions for the season forward, together with which workforce will carry the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy. 

• Jeff Zillgitt: Celtics over Thunder 
• Scooby Axson: Celtics over Timberwolves 
• Lorenzo Reyes: Nuggets over Knicks 
• Damichael Cole: Thunder over Celtics 
• Dustin Dopirak: Celtics over Nuggets 
• Jim Owczarski: Thunder over Celtics 
• Duane Rankin: Celtics over Timberwolves 
• Heather Tucker: Celtics over Suns 

NBA MVP candidates 

Who is that this yr’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the following participant to maneuver deep into the NBA MVP dialog? Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the highest candidates. 

NBA energy rankings

Right here is each workforce within the NBA ranked primarily based on their championship odds heading into the 2024-25 common season. All odds through BetMGM. 

• Boston Celtics (+325) 
• Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (+500) 
• New York Knicks (+650) 
• Philadelphia 76ers (+1000) 
• Denver Nuggets (+1100) 
• Dallas Mavericks (+1200) 
• Minnesota Timberwolves (+1200) 
• Milwaukee Bucks (+1400) 
• Phoenix Solar (+2000) 
• Cleveland Cavaliers (+3500) 
• Memphis Grizzlies (+3500) 

Bronny James well being: What we find out about rookie’s situation

Again on July 24, 2023, James suffered cardiac arrest throughout a USC offseason exercise. Bronny has since spoken out in regards to the incident and the conditioning that adopted. 

Mark Giannotto has the most recent on the rookie’s journey again to the courtroom.

We sometimes advocate attention-grabbing services and products. When you make a purchase order by clicking one of many hyperlinks, we could earn an affiliate charge. USA TODAY Community newsrooms function independently, and this doesn’t affect our protection.

LOS ANGELES — Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born phenom for the Los Angeles Dodgers who impressed “Fernandomania” whereas successful the NL Cy Younger Award and Rookie of the Yr in 1981, has died. He was 63.

The staff mentioned he died Tuesday evening at a Los Angeles hospital however didn’t present the trigger or different particulars.

His dying comes because the Dodgers put together to open the World Collection on Friday evening at dwelling in opposition to the New York Yankees. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned Valenzuela can be honored through the collection at Dodger Stadium.

Valenzuela had left his colour commentator job on the Dodgers’ Spanish-language tv broadcast in September with out clarification. He was reported to have been hospitalized earlier this month. His job stored him as an everyday at Dodger Stadium, the place he held court docket within the press field eating room earlier than video games and remained widespread with followers who sought him out for photographs and autographs.

Valenzuela was probably the most dominant gamers of his period and a wildly widespread determine within the Nineteen Eighties, though he was by no means elected to the Baseball Corridor of Fame. Nonetheless, he’s a part of Cooperstown, which options a number of artifacts together with a signed ball from his no-hitter in 1990.

“He is without doubt one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” Stan Kasten, staff president and CEO, mentioned in an announcement. “He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained near our hearts ever since, not solely as a participant but in addition as a broadcaster. He has left us all too quickly.”

Valenzuela’s rise from humble beginnings because the youngest of 12 youngsters in Mexico and his feats on the mound made him massively widespread and influential in Los Angeles’ Latino group whereas serving to entice new followers to Main League Baseball. Their fondness for him continued for years after his retirement.

“He constantly supported the expansion of the sport by the World Baseball Basic and at MLB occasions throughout his dwelling nation,” Manfred mentioned in an announcement. “As a member of the Dodger broadcasting staff for greater than 20 years, Fernando helped to succeed in a brand new era of followers and domesticate their love of the sport. Fernando will at all times stay a beloved determine in Dodger historical past and a particular supply of delight for the hundreds of thousands of Latino followers he impressed.”

In 1981, Valenzuela turned the Dodgers’ opening day starter as a rookie after Jerry Reuss was injured 24 hours earlier than his scheduled begin. He shut out the Houston Astros 2-0 and commenced the season 8-0 with 5 shutouts and an ERA of 0.50. He turned the primary participant to win a Cy Younger and Rookie of the Yr in the identical season.

His performances created the delirium generally known as “Fernandomania” amongst Dodgers followers. The ABBA hit “Fernando” would play as he warmed up on the mound.

He was 13-7 and had a 2.48 ERA in his first season, which was shortened by a gamers’ strike.

Valenzuela was an All-Star choice yearly from 1981-86, when he recorded 97 victories, 84 full video games, 1,258 strikeouts and a 2.97 ERA. He was 5-1 with a 2.00 ERA in eight postseason begins. He earned two Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove.

Valenzuela’s no-hitter on June 29, 1990, a 6-0 victory in opposition to the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium, was an emotional profession spotlight. He struck out seven and walked three.

“When you’ve got a sombrero, throw it to the sky!” Corridor of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully exclaimed in his recreation name.

Nicknamed “El Toro” by the followers, Valenzuela had an unorthodox and memorable pitching movement that included wanting skyward on the apex of every windup. His repertoire included a screwball — making him one of many few pitchers of his period who threw that pitch recurrently. It was taught to him by teammate Bobby Castillo after the Dodgers felt Valenzuela, who wasn’t generally known as a tough thrower, wanted one other pitch.

Early in his Dodgers profession, Valenzuela spoke little English and had bother speaking along with his catchers. Rookie Mike Scioscia discovered Spanish and have become Valenzuela’s private catcher earlier than turning into the staff’s full-time catcher.

Valenzuela was a better-than-average hitter, with 10 profession dwelling runs.

Finally, his pitching was compromised by nagging shoulder issues that stored him out of the 1988 postseason, when the Dodgers gained the World Collection.

The staff launched Valenzuela simply earlier than the 1991 season. He additionally pitched for the previous California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals.

He retired in 1997, going 141-116 with a 3.31 ERA in 11 seasons with the Dodgers. Total, he was 173-153 with a 3.54 ERA in 17 seasons.

Valenzuela’s rise from his tiny hometown of Etchohuaquila within the Mexican state of Sonora to stardom within the U.S. was unbelievable. He was the youngest little one in a big household who tagged alongside when his older brothers performed baseball.

He signed his first professional contract at age 16, and shortly started overpowering older gamers within the Mexican Central League.

In 1978, legendary Dodgers scout Mike Brito was in Mexico to observe a shortstop when Valenzuela entered the sport as a reliever. He instantly commanded Brito’s consideration and at age 18, Valenzuela signed with the Dodgers in 1979. He was despatched to the California League that very same yr.

In 1980, Valenzuela was referred to as as much as the Dodgers in September and shortly made his massive league debut as a reliever.

He stays the one pitcher in MLB historical past to win the Cy Younger and Rookie of the Yr awards in the identical season. The left-hander was the Nationwide League’s beginning pitcher within the All-Star Recreation in 1981, the identical yr the Dodgers gained the World Collection.

He’s the all-time main league chief in wins (173) and strikeouts (2,074) by a Mexican-born participant.

Throughout his profession, he made the quilt of Sports activities Illustrated and visited the White Home.

In 2003, Valenzuela returned to the Dodgers because the Spanish-language radio colour commentator for NL video games. Twelve years later, he switched to the colour commentator job on the staff’s Spanish-language TV feed.

He was inducted into the Mexican Skilled Baseball Corridor of Fame in 2014. 5 years later, the Mexican League retired Valenzuela’s No. 34 jersey. The Dodgers adopted in 2023 after maintaining his quantity out of circulation since he final pitched for the staff in 1991. The staff has a rule that requires a participant to be within the Baseball Corridor of Fame earlier than having the Dodgers retire his quantity, however they made an exception for Valenzuela.

The Dodgers named Valenzuela as a part of the “Legends of Dodger Baseball” in 2019 and inducted him into the staff’s Ring of Honor in 2023.

He turned a U.S. citizen in 2015.

Valenzuela served on the teaching employees for Mexico through the World Baseball Basic in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2017. He was a part-owner of the Mexican League staff Tigres de Quintana Roo, with son Fernando Jr. serving as staff president and son Ricky serving as normal supervisor. Fernando Jr. performed within the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox organizations as a primary baseman.

Along with his sons, he’s survived by his spouse, Linda, who was a schoolteacher from Mexico whom he married in 1981, and daughters Linda and Maria, in addition to seven grandchildren.

Fernando Valenzuela has died on the age of 63. Valenzuela made a mark as probably the most widespread Dodgers of all-time, drawing in Mexican and Mexican American followers who celebrated the pitching star as a transformative determine in Main League Baseball.

“We profoundly mourn the passing of Fernando,” Stan Kasten, the L.A. Dodgers president and chief government, who referred to as Valenzuela: “One of the crucial influential Dodgers ever.”

Valenzuela, who’d labored as a Spanish-language Dodgers broadcaster for greater than 20 years, had introduced earlier this month that he’d stepped away from the sales space for the rest of the season to deal with his well being.

After they introduced Valenzuela was stepping again, the Dodgers didn’t clarify the character of his well being points, the staff mentioned on the time: “He and his household really respect the love and help of followers as he goals to return for the 2025 season, and so they have requested for privateness throughout this time.”

Valenzuela made his mark as a pitcher, and debuted at 19 on the mound for the Dodgers. He was a storied member of the 1981 Fernandomania season. That yr, Valenzuela received the Nationwide League Rookie of the 12 months honors and the Cy Younger award.

Final August, Valenzuela’s quantity 34 jersey was retired by the Dodgers in entrance of a packed stadium.

As a part of the celebration, the pitcher with a vicious screwball who was dubbed “El Toro,” threw out the primary to pitch to Mike Scioscia, his longtime catcher.

Jaime Jarrin, one other legendary broadcaster for the Dodgers explaine Valenzuela’s significance when his quantity was retired.

“He grew to become straight away a hero for Latinos following baseball,” Jarrín informed LAist. “An important factor is that he created so many new baseball followers.…folks from Mexico, from Central America, from South America that didn’t care in any respect about baseball.”

Go deeper: ‘Fernandomania’ Returns: The Dodgers are (lastly) retiring Fernando Valenzuela’s quantity

Broadcasting profession

Since 2003, Valenzuela had been a beloved broadcaster with the staff. Valenzuela referred to as video games for the final 21 years.

That a part of his profession started after Valenzuela performed 11 years, together with as a pitcher for the 1981 staff that beat the New York Yankees. The 2 groups, among the many most iconic within the MLB, face off this Friday for the primary time since then.

His background

Valenzuela was the youngest of 12 youngsters, born in Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico.

Inside a yr of his 1980 Main League debut, Fernandomania set in after he went on to an unprecedented career-opening run, with full video games in his first eight profession begins. 5 of these video games had been shutouts and his ERA was a stunningly-low 0.50.

In line with the Dodgers, Valenzuela is survived by his spouse, Linda, and 4 youngsters, Fernando Jr., Ricardo, Linda and Maria Fernanda, and 7 grandchildren.