Dodgers News: Fernando Valenzuela To Receive Othli Award
Of the several pitchers that had illustrious careers with the Los Angeles Dodgers, only one had a mania named after him. As a rookie in 1981, Fernando Valenzuela won 13 games, was named both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award winner, and Fernandomania was born.
In 11 seasons with the Dodgers, Valenzuela finished with a 141-116 record, was a six-time All-Star, and was named the NL Cy Young Award and NL Rookie of the Year winner in 1981. Valenzuela was also part of of two World Series-winning teams.
Now Valenzuela, who just completed a 12th season broadcasting Dodgers baseball in Spanish, will receive the Othli award from the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior (IME) — an agency of the Mexican government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Valenzuela is receiving the award due to his success as a player and for providing inspiration to young athletes both in Mexico and in the United States.
The award presentation coincides with Copa IME Becas, an event presented by the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles that’s being held Saturday. The IME Becas program offers scholarships to students of Mexican descent that wish to further their education.
The Copa IME Becas event is free and begins at 8:00 a.m. with Valenzuela scheduled to be presented the award at 1:30 p.m.
