The passing of Fernando 'El Toro' Valenzuela this Tuesday has left Mexico without one of its three greatest sports figures in history. A man revered like a rock star, Valenzuela once brought the country to a standstill during his prime.

With his signature screwball pitch, backed by a powerful fastball and a deadly curve, Valenzuela became the hero of the Los Angeles Dodgers' victory over the New York Yankees in the 1981 World Series. That same year, he won both the 'Cy Young' award for best pitcher and the Rookie of the Year trophy.

Born in November 1960 in Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Valenzuela signed with the Dodgers at the age of 19. In 1981, he shattered expectations, making the most of every opportunity, including starting the season opener, where he shut out the Houston Astros.

He won seven more games, reaching an 8-0 record that sent shockwaves through Mexico. During his games, millions of his compatriots would stop whatever they were doing, as watching the Dodgers had become a sort of ritual. His iconic look to the sky before each pitch became a hallmark of his elegant style.

This phenomenon became known as 'Fernandomania,' which reached its peak when Valenzuela shined in the World Series.

Humble and down-to-earth, yet possessing a presence that intimidated opponents, Valenzuela achieved other incredible feats, such as pitching a no-hitter on June 29, 1990, against the St. Louis Cardinals, striking out seven batters.

In 17 Major League seasons, Valenzuela racked up 173 wins against 153 losses, with a 3.54 earned run average, and 2,074 strikeouts.

Those were the days when baseball was marked by energy, beautiful and smart plays, bunts, stolen bases, hit-and-run tactics, and legendary players defying the now-rigid sabermetric statistics that have since "robotized" the game.

Valenzuela’s accomplishments stand alongside the professional sporting achievements of two other Mexican legends: Hugo Sánchez, who won five Pichichi awards as top scorer in Spanish football, and Julio César Chávez, a world boxing champion in three weight divisions, who won his first 87 fights.

Born within four years of each other—Hugo in 1958, Valenzuela in 1960, and Chávez in 1962—these icons elevated Mexico to the pinnacle of world sports and shared a bond that transcended comparisons.

As if the energies of baseball aligned to honor Fernando's greatest moment, the Dodgers and Yankees will face off in this year's World Series, leaving Mexicans with the feeling that their hero hasn’t gone far.

Rather than seeing him in the heavens, as in the old days, they will envision him gazing at the stars after each pitch.