'He was 100% baseball.' Dodgers broadcaster Jaime Jarrín remembers 'Fernandomania'

Jaime Jarrín remembers the first day he met Fernando Valenzuela.

The Dodgers' Spanish language broadcaster took a trip down to the clubhouse that day to welcome Fernando, something Jarrín says he did every time a new ballplayer joined the team.

"He was extremely shy, very reserved. He couldn't speak a word of English," Jarrín said. "But right away I sensed that he was special.”

Jarrín joined Larry Mantle on AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s daily news program, to remember his dear friend and one of the most influential Dodgers of all time. Fernando died at the age of 63 earlier this week.

The true beginning of 'Fernandomania'

Los Angeles Dodgers pitching star, Fernando Valenzuela, poses in 1981.

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George Rose

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Getty Images

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For Jarrín, "Fernandomania" began the year he started interpreting for the soon-to-be phenomenon.

"Everybody believes that it's '81, but to me, it was 1980," Jarrín said.

That's when Fernando became a relief pitcher. According to Jarrín, some argued he should be starting, but Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda thought it was too much pressure for a 20-year-old "kid." Still, he helped to secure important wins as a reliever that year.

The magic of 1981

Fernando Valenzuela at a news conference answers questions from reporters at Dodger Stadium, May 13, 1981.

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Joe Kennedy

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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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To this day, true-blue fans remember Fernando's starting-debut Home Opener game in 1981 and the transformative season to follow that led to a World Series win over the Yankees.

“He was very much aware of the meaning of that game. He said, ‘If I do well in this game, I will do well the rest of my life'...his instincts were unbelievable," Jarrín said.

For die-hard fans in the stands, it felt like Fernando came out of nowhere. He started the '81 season 8-0.

Read more: Thank you Fernando: How a Dodgers legend captured my childhood heart

Baseball would never be the same

The Mexican-born player became one of the biggest icons for the Latino community, leaving a lasting impression on the culture of baseball.

“He created so many new baseball followers.…people from Mexico, from Central America, from South America that didn’t care at all about baseball,” Jarrín said.

This led to the creation of a radio network throughout Mexico with more than 80 stations, with millions of people listening to every single game that Fernando pitched.

“On radio, in those days, if you had a rate of three, it would be great, or four would be fantastic. But on KTNQ, we had a rating of 8.6," Jarrín said.

A lasting connection

Jarrín interpreted for Fernando for years, creating a close connection with the MLB star.

“He was 100% baseball, so we didn't go to parties, we didn't go to receptions," Jarrín said.

Former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Fernado Valenzuela working as a color commentator for looking over Dodger Stadium.

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Carlos Chavez

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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

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Fernando would follow in the footsteps of his interpreter, becoming a broadcaster for the team in 2003. He stepped away from the role just earlier this month.

"It has been a very tough time for me," Jarrín said. "I knew Fernando since day one, when he came to this country, and I enjoy his company, and I enjoy his talent so much."

Listen to the conversation