Fernandomania

From Wiki Gonzalez

Fernandomania refers to the hubbub and popularity surrounding 1980s pitcher Fernando Valenzuela.

Valenzuela, a Dodgers prospect from Mexico, debuted in 1980 as a teenager and was immediately successful and popular, thanks to his dominating performances, unusual pitching style (looking upwards at the sky in mid-delivery), and cross-cultural popularity in Los Angeles.

He didn't stay that good for very long, thanks to Tommy Lasorda, but he did have a long, reasonably successful career.