The World Series kicks off Friday night at Dodger Stadium, and the Dodgers will wear a special patch to remember Fernando Valenzuela, who passed away this week at 63. He had left his broadcasting role recently to focus on his health.
The Dodgers’ uniforms will feature a No. 34 patch in honor of Valenzuela during the World Series and throughout the next season.
Rob Manfred shared that “Fernando Valenzuela was one of the most impactful players of his generation,” adding condolences to his family, friends, and fans across Mexico. His legacy lives on as fans remember “Fernandomania,” which took over baseball in the early ’80s when he was just 20 years old.
Remembering Fernandomania:
Back in 1981, young Valenzuela amazed everyone by winning eight games straight as a rookie. He pitched seven complete games and five shutouts! That year he earned both Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards while leading his team to victory against the Yankees in the World Series.
Valenzuela spent eleven seasons with Los Angeles from 1980 to 1990 before joining other teams later on. After retiring from playing ball , he became a beloved voice for over two decades as a broadcaster for Dodger games until they retired his number in 2023.
Fans might think it’s heartwarming how much love there is for their favorite player even after all these years.
Considered by many as MLB’s best Mexican-born player ever, Fernando leaves behind an unforgettable mark on baseball history. What do you think about honoring legends like him?
