Baseball began as a uniquely American sport — early major league stars like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Hornus Wagner were born and bred Americans. Ever so slowly, however, baseball began expanding, with players from Latin America joining the league. Whatever they were thought of outside of the baseball diamond, within their teams they were respected and celebrated as they set new records. Among those trailblazers was a young pitcher from humble means, named Fernando.

On September 17, 1981, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela threw his eighth shutout of the season to set a new National League rookie record. Valenzuela held the opposing Atlanta Braves to three hits, while striking out six. At one point he retired twelve batters in a row.

Valenzuela’s accomplishment was all the more impressive given his farming family roots in Sonora, Mexico. He was one of a dozen children in his family. He started playing semi-professional baseball in the Mexican leagues before coming to the Dodgers. Standing only 5’11”, he was a contrast to the taller, more powerful pitchers, but he made up for it with unparalleled control. His patented screwballs would go on to befuddle batters for many years to come.