By Dr. Kathleen Contreras
Hero. Super hero. Living Legend. Role model. Humble. He had all these attributes.
Why weren’t books written about him?
Children need both mirrors and windows to reflect their own cultural background and allow them to see the light of others.
That was my motivation to research one of L.A. Dodger’s living legends and cultural icons… Fernando “El Toro” Valenzuela. Few adult books talk about Fernando; but yet, no books for children on one of baseball’s most talented and popular ball players could be found.
Why not?
He was someone who grew up in a humble, yet cozy family home of 12 siblings, himself the youngest. Someone who became a professional athlete in his native Mexico when he was just 16 years young. Someone, who was scouted by the MLB Dodger organization when he was barely 19 years young.
Someone, who ignited Fernandomania, with his rockstar presence in every ballpark across the country increasing the Latino fan base wherever he pitched. Someone who won the coveted Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger at the same time. Someone who was part of the winning World Series team.
That someone, who became a U.S. citizen, a media broadcaster for Dodgers, owner of a Mexican baseball team, and a proud father and abuelo for his familia, deserved a place of honor in the children’s literature archives.
Researching sports articles and documentaries, especially the LA Times docu series titled: “Fernandomnia@ 40”, and speaking to baseball fans, living legends like Spanish broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, and a brief interview with Fernando (he rarely gives interviews); I was ready to write the first biography for children on one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
Fernando, “El Toro” and Fernandomania ignited not only fans, but also lit a fire under other Latin and Asian players to play on America’s baseball fields. Like the Statue of Liberty, Fernando’s success welcomed everyone to America’s favorite game. Players from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, Japan, and Korea all come to play on America’s baseball fields, widening the borders of Major League Baseball. Now, every team in both National and American leagues has players from around the globe, speaking their native languages and the language of baseball; reflecting the global and multicultural society where we live and love.
Like so many who cross borders, Fernando success straddles both the U.S & Mexico comfortably embodying the American dream. His story, like our story, deserves a place of honor, for our children.
Tommy Lasorda, legendary Dodger manager, echoes that sentiment: “Fernando’s great for the Dodgers, great for baseball, great for the country—both of them [U.S. & Mexico]. No matter how hard life seems; kids can look up at him and say: He made it. So can I.”
Someone named Fernando mirrors and reflects the best of America’s favorite sport.
Whatever you call it, béisbol or baseball, Fernando Valenzuela was born to play the game.
There are two editions in English and Spanish: Born to Play Béisbol: The Magical Career of Fernando Valenzuela and Nacido para Jugar Béisbol: La Mágica Carrera de Fernando Valenzuela. Written by Kathleen Contreras and illustrated by Christian Paniagua. Published on April, 2024.
Visit me at https://kathleencontreras.com
You can click on this Eventbrite link to order free tickets to this coming book event! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/born-to-play-beisbol-the-magical-career-of-fernando-valenzuela-tickets-884424987947?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
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