The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced that they will honor the legendary Mexican pitcher Fernando Valenzuela during the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees and throughout the 2025 Major League Baseball season. The team will wear a patch with the name 'Fernando' and the number 34, in honor of the historic player, whose number was retired last year.
Fernando Valenzuela passed away last Tuesday in Los Angeles due to liver complications that resulted in multi-organ failure, as confirmed by the Dodgers. Vice President and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, paid tribute to Fernando Valenzuela: "Fernando Valenzuela was a baseball legend who united a generation of Dodgers fans in collective joy, excitement, and awe."
The Mexican left an indelible mark on baseball and the city of Los Angeles, being the central figure of 'Fernandomania' in the 1980s. Valenzuela was crucial in the Dodgers' victory in the 1981 World Series, standing out for his performance in Game 3. That same year, at 20 years old, he became the first player to win both the Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young awards in the same season.
In addition to his successful career on the mound, Valenzuela worked for 22 years in the Spanish broadcasts of the Dodgers, becoming an iconic figure both on and off the field.
The World Series will be a historic event for the Yankees and Dodgers, who face off again after the 1981 series. The Major League champion will be decided in 5 to 7 games that will take place from Friday, October 25, to Saturday, November 2.
