It was announced earlier this week that legendary Major League Baseball pitcher Fernando Valenzuela passed away at the age of 63, according to Fox News.

Former President Donald Trump, like millions of other Americans, is a huge sports fan and he took a momentary break from his busy campaign schedule to share his disappointment over the loss of the incredible player who helped the Los Angeles Dodgers win the 1991 World Series as a rookie.

Trump a "big fan" of Valenzuela

In a Truth Social post on Friday, former President Trump wrote, "I was saddened to hear of the passing of the late, great, Fernando Valenzuela, one of baseball’s most beloved pitchers."

"A true baseball legend, he was a hero not only to the Latino community, but sports fans everywhere," he continued. "His skill and charisma made him a joy to watch. I was a big fan."

Trump added of the star pitcher, "He was an incredible talent with an inspiring life story. After his playing career ended, Fernando had a very successful second act as a broadcaster. Admired by millions, the great Fernando Valenzuela will be dearly missed."

MLB, Dodgers release statements on Valenzuela's death

Without providing any details, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced in an X post on Tuesday that Valenzuela had died at the age of 63.

The Los Angeles Dodgers mourn the passing of legendary pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. pic.twitter.com/MXeBlDzDWJ

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2024

According to ESPN, his passing came just a few days before his beloved Dodgers squad was set to play Game 1 of the World Series against their longtime rivals the New York Yankees, and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred assured everyone that Valenzuela would be duly honored during the impending series.

"Fernando was an outstanding ambassador for baseball. He consistently supported the growth of the game through the World Baseball Classic and at MLB events across his home country," Manfred said in a statement. "As a member of the Dodger broadcasting team for more than 20 years, Fernando helped to reach a new generation of fans and cultivate their love of the game. Fernando will always remain a beloved figure in Dodger history and a special source of pride for the millions of Latino fans he inspired."

"He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes," Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten said of Valenzuela in a statement. "He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Linda and his family."

A stellar career for an extraordinary pitcher

According to ESPN, Valenzuela began his professional baseball career in Mexico at just 16 and was soon discovered by a Dodgers scout in 1979, after which he was signed by the team and assigned to a minor league club, only to be called up to the big leagues as a reliever near the end of the 1980 season.

He began the 1981 season as a starter and quickly impressed everyone with his abilities and stats that led to him becoming the first player ever to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards while also leading his team to a World Series championship.

Valenzuela left the Dodgers just before the start of the 1991 season and played for several other teams before retiring in 1997, but then returned to the Dodgers in 2003 as a member of the organization's broadcast team. And, though his famous number 34 had been unofficially retired when he first left the squad, it was finally formally retired by the team last year, even though the Dodgers' tradition was to only retire the numbers of Hall of Fame players.

Over the course of his 17-year career, the bulk of which was spent with the Dodgers but also included brief stints with the California Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and the St. Louis Cardinals, Valenzuela pitched 2,930 innings over 453 games, with a Win-Loss record of 173-153, a 3.54 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 2,074 strikeouts.