Before Fernando Valenzuela became the phenomenon that shook Major League Baseball, he married Linda Burgos on June 14, 1981, at the Church of María Inmaculada in Mérida, Yucatán. It was in the heart of Fernandomania, that moment when the Mexican pitcher was beginning to write his legend with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and she made a deliberate choice: marry in their hometown before everything changed.
How They Met in Mérida
Fernando Valenzuela and Linda Burgos met in Mérida when he was playing for the Leones de Yucatán in the Mexican League. This was before his definitive leap to the majors, in those years when Valenzuela was still a local prospect—a young pitcher whose talent was just beginning to shine in his home country. Mérida was the place where their lives intersected, a city that would always hold deep meaning for both of them.
A Wedding in the Heart of Fernandomania
Linda Burgos knew exactly what she wanted: to marry Fernando in Mérida before his career took off completely. In 1981, when they exchanged vows at the Church of María Inmaculada, Fernandomania was already in full swing. Valenzuela had debuted in the majors that same year, and his impact was immediate. He won the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in 1981—numbers that placed him among the best pitchers of his generation. But before all of that happened at lightning speed, Linda anchored that moment in Mérida, in the church, with their roots intact.
A Family of Four Children
Fernando Valenzuela and Linda Burgos had four children together. One of them, Fernando Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and played professional baseball, carrying the Valenzuela name into the sport. The family grew while Fernando lived out an extraordinary career: he was a World Series champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, won 175 games in the majors, and became a legend of Mexican sports.
Fernando Valenzuela’s Legacy
Fernando Valenzuela passed away on October 22, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that transcends statistics. His career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, his years with teams like the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and San Diego Padres, and his cultural impact on the Spanish-speaking community made him an icon. But he also left a family legacy: a family rooted in Mérida, with deep ties to their homeland, which Linda Burgos nurtured while Fernando wrote his story in professional baseball.
| How They Met | In Mérida, Yucatán, when Fernando was playing for the Leones de Yucatán in the Mexican League |
| Year of Marriage | 1981 |
| Wedding Location | Church of María Inmaculada, Mérida, Yucatán |
| Children | Four; one of them, Fernando Jr., played professional baseball |
| Linda Burgos’s Occupation | Not public |
FAQ
Where did Fernando Valenzuela and Linda Burgos get married?
They were married at the Church of María Inmaculada in Mérida, Yucatán, in 1981.
How many children did they have?
They had four children together. One of them, Fernando Jr., played professional baseball.
Why did Linda Burgos insist on getting married in Mérida?
She deliberately chose to marry Fernando in Mérida before his career took off completely, anchoring that moment in their roots before Fernandomania carried him to another level entirely.
