Fernando Valenzuela’s weight loss is one of the most remarkable transformations in the history of baseball. Though he was always an excellent baseball pitcher, he always struggled with his weight which was a disadvantage for his game. Fernando Valenzuela thus embarked on a weight loss journey in the 1990s and lost 20 pounds after which there was a notable improvement in his game.
Fernando Valenzuela is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher and he is one of the greatest ones. He played 17 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons, from 1980 to 1991 and 1993 to 1997. He played for six MLB teams but he is mostly known as one of the Dodgers because his longest tenure was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has established himself as one of the most skilled players with a win-loss record of 173-153 and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.54.
He’s retired now and people are going through his sports career to reminisce about the golden time and celebrate the end of an era. His weight loss has come up a lot since then because his transformation was seen as a testament to his dedication and it marked his rise in the baseball world. Let’s discuss Fernando Valenzuela’s weight loss!
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Fernando Valenzuela’s Weight Loss: Has He Lost Weight?
Fernando Valenzuela has not had weight loss recently but the transformation he underwent in the 1990s after shedding 20 pounds is still talked about to this date because of how remarkably it elevated his game.
Fernando Valenzuela has not had weight loss recently.
Image Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Whoever said that “Fernandomania” broke out again after it first took hold at Dodger Stadium and spread nationwide could not have explained what’s going on in the baseball world more aptly. The praises for and the popularity of Fernando Valenzuela seem to have reached an all-time high and the craze for him just got as intense as 42 years ago when he first started. Only that time, he was getting started whereas now, he’s getting retired.
That’s right. Valenzuela’s stepping down and people are getting washed up in nostalgia for his time in baseball. The Dodgers retired his number 34 jersey on Friday night before they hosted the Colorado Rockies. It was a grand affair (The number 34 was cut into the center-field grass and stenciled in white on the back of the mound) and it was also an emotional affair (fans, along with his children and grandchildren, were on their feet cheering for him).
Fernando Valenzuela’s retirement sparked a wave of emotions that got people talking about his time as a baseball player. They had a lot to talk about because he is an iconic figure in the world of baseball and he has left an indelible mark in it with his excellent pitching skills. His weight loss also came up a lot because it was one of the most remarkable transformations in the history of baseball.
Valenzuela has had an illustrious career. He’s played for nearly three decades and it was not a smooth journey for him. He has faced his fair share of struggles which could mostly be traced back to his weight. So, when he embarked on a weight loss journey, it became a symbol of determination and transformation for many and it stood as a testament to his dedication to the sports.
Fernando Valenzuela’s Weight Loss Shows His Dedication to Baseball!
Fernando Valenzuela struggled with his weight when he first started playing baseball.
Image Source: Sports Illustrated
Fernando Valenzuela did not have a good relationship with his weight. His large frame has always hindered his abilities and he always was left wondering how better he could have played if he was a little lighter than that. He knew his weight was not going to help when he started playing. He weighed 175 pounds when he started in 1980. As time passed, he put on more pounds and got bigger and bigger which affected his game. It got to a point where he was forced to embark on a weight loss journey.
In the mid-1980s, he crossed the 200-pound mark and it came with consequences. His performance and durability were compromised and he injured his shoulder and knee. Overall, his physical condition was not great and it worried a lot of people. All of it pushed him to start an arduous journey to get rid of all that weight that was causing him trouble. The 1990s saw him have an incredible transformation after his weight loss.
Fernando Valenzuela began a rigorous regimen with the hope of getting rid of the extra weight he had once and for all. He started dieting and he focused more on foods with nutritional value than other foods. He also started working out. He was even rumored to have a liposuction. His strict regime ultimately led to him shedding 20 pounds. There was a notable improvement in his overall fitness and his game after his weight loss.
It was after his transformation that he famously pitched a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals and etched his name in history. This feat established him as the first Mexican-born pitcher to achieve such an accomplishment. The significant improvement in his physicality and thus, his game and a remarkable feat to vouch for that, is why his weight loss is still talked about.
