Before Fernando Valenzuela, the Dodgers needed a ‘Mexican Sandy Koufax’ | Fernandomania @ 40 Ep. 4

, Mark E. Potts, Jessica Q. Chen and Steve Saldivar

May 20, 2021 6 AM PT

Episode 4 starts in Los Angeles. After the Dodgers moved there in 1958, the team spent more than two decades searching for a player to connect with the local Latino community. But until Fernando Valenzuela’s emergence in 1981 Latinos looked to other sports for heroes that looked like them.

Erik Himmelsbach-Weinstein

Erik Himmelsbach-Weinstein is senior director/video for features, sports and long-form videos. The UC Berkeley graduate has been an editor at Spin, Los Angeles Reader, Orange Coast and other publications. His work as a documentary writer and producer has appeared on VH1, ESPN, Food Network, Biography and TLC. His short story, “Fried Chicken,” was included in the anthology “Another City” (City Lights, 2001). He started his career on The Times’ prep sports desk.