A silence will descend upon a crowded Dodger Stadium when the sun sets over Chavez Ravine this Friday night. Under the October lights, Los Angeles will pay tribute to Fernando Valenzuela, a man who transformed baseball in this city.
There is no more appropriate setting than the 2024 World Series, which pits the Los Angeles Dodgers against the New York Yankees in a rematch of the legendary 1981 championship game in which Valenzuela not only pitched but also changed the course of the series with a commanding start in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers will take the field this time with the legacy of Valenzuela, the left-handed sensation who won hearts and hearts across decades. A whole city was in mourning after Valenzuela, a true titan of the game, died on October 22nd at the age of 63.
Son of a farmer from Etchohuaquila, Sonora, Mexico, Valenzuela made his debut in 1980 at the age of 19. He immediately established the Los Angeles Dodgers as a symbol of flare, bravery, and excitement thanks to his magical screwball and elegance that defied his age.
He accomplished the unimaginable a year later by becoming the first player to win both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year honours in the same season. The Dodgers would ride his arm all the way to defeating the New York Yankees in the World Series.
“Fernandomania” dominated the nation that year. In the hopes of seeing the enchantment of Valenzuela’s slow, captivating windup and the ensuing ferocious stare to the sky, fans crowded stadiums. He was pitching for Mexico, his culture, and all the underdogs out there with every pitch, not just tossing a ball.
Before Game 1 of the World Series, the Dodgers will have an emotional ceremony in honour of Valenzuela. Fans who want to witness every moment, including a stirring tribute video on DodgerVision, are asked to be in their seats by 4:25 p.m.
Every player will wear a commemorative No. 34 patch during the series, and fans will be reminded of his influence at every stadium visit by a mural on the left field wall.
Julian Torres and Deyra Barrera will lead a mariachi performance at Dodger Stadium’s Left Field Pavilion, which will capture the lively energy that Valenzuela brought to the game. It serves as a reminder that, despite Fernando’s passing, his tale of perseverance, ability, and resilience will endure and be heard in the call of the trumpet and the strings of the guitar.
Robert Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, honoured the cultural and historical significance of Valenzuela.
“One of the most influential players of his generation was Fernando Valenzuela,” Manfred said in a statement. In the United States and his home country of Mexico, his rookie season created so much excitement that it was widely known as “Fernandomania.” Fernando became an ambassador for the sport after his career ended, continuously promoting its expansion throughout his native nation.
Fans have the unmistakable impression that Valenzuela is a part of this series as Game 1 approaches. His memory will now be honoured at Dodger Stadium, the iconic field he graced with his legendary performances. Although Valenzuela is no longer with us, Dodger hearts will always remember him thanks to the mural on the left field wall and the uniforms that feature his famous number 34.
Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts responded, “Hopefully, we can bring home a World Series home,” when asked if the club will be more motivated to wear the patch in Fernando Valenzuela’s honour. “Every victory is for him.”
Baseball isn’t the only thing at stake in this World Series—this titanic matchup between the Dodgers and Yankees. It’s an homage to a tradition that extended beyond the game. This homage will serve as a reminder to all of the Dodgers fans who experienced “Fernandomania” as well as to the younger generations who are just familiar with his legend: Fernando Valenzuela did more than just play for the Dodgers; he helped define what it meant to be a Dodger.
There will be a moment of silence that lasts the longest when Dodgers Nation bids farewell to its legend, Fernando Valenzuela, even if the stadium will be louder than ever on Friday night as the Dodgers play the Yankees.
