The Los Angeles Dodgers stripped Fernando Valenzuela of the No. 34 jersey Friday night before hosting the Colorado Rockies, 42 years after “Fernandomania” made its debut in Southern California.
His number was cut into the grass in the center field and stenciled in white on the back of the mound.
“It’s very emotional,” Valenzuela said ahead of the ceremony in front of a crowded room filled with English- and Spanish-language media. “I never expected that.”
Retired pitcher and current host Orel Hershiser and retired dodger Manny Mota lifted a blue cloth to show Valenzuela’s number high above the field.
Fans, some wearing sombreros, stood on their feet to cheer along with Valenzuela’s children and grandchildren. He held hands with his wife, Linda, as they walked down the left field line to witness the unveiling.
Retired pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (center) is congratulated by his old catcher Mike Scioscia
Los Angeles Dodgers fans pose for photos in front of a Fernando Valenzuela sign
Valenzuela is interviewed by his manager Tommy Lasorda before a Dodgers Cubs game in 1981
Before that, a mariachi band erupted with music and singing as Valenzuela was introduced and walked from the dugout to the stage in front of the hill.
Those in attendance included Hall of Famer pitcher Sandy Koufax, Valenzuela’s catcher Mike Scioscia, Hall of Famer broadcaster Jaime Jarrín and current Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías. Koufax, 87, did not address the crowd.
Valenzuela and Scioscia appeared on a Topps baseball card billing them as future stars. After his playing career, Scioscia managed the Los Angeles Angels.
“It felt like yesterday when this little chubby boy who was 20 years old started opening for us and set the whole world on fire,” Scioscia told the crowd. “What you couldn’t see was the ice water in his veins.” “He proved how spectacular and magical everything was.”
After the ceremony, Valenzuela threw a first pitch to Scioscia, who executed the catch, burying his face in his glove.
The Rockies watched from the railings in the guest dugout while some of the Dodgers warmed up on the field and some watched from the dugout.
August 11th is Fernando Valenzuela Day in LA
Earlier in the day, Valenzuela, 62, was in downtown Los Angeles where the City Council declared it “Fernando Valenzuela Day.”
The activities were part of a week-long celebration of one of the most enduring and popular players in Dodgers history. Valenzuela was the theme of the post-game drone show.
On Saturday the team is giving away their bobble head and on Sunday there is a replica of Valenzuela’s 1981 World Series ring.
Valenzuela became a sensation this year. In addition to winning the World Series, he also became the first player to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same year.
He was named the opening day starter that year by manager Tommy Lasorda after Jerry Reuss was injured a day earlier. He responded with a 2-0 win over Houston and started the season with an 8-0 record, including five shutouts, and a 0.50 ERA.
“Tommy Lasorda came up to me and said, ‘Are you ready for the pitch tomorrow?’ I said, “I’m ready,” Valenzuela recalled. “That’s what I was looking for, the opportunity to show what I can do.”
Valenzuela’s throwing movement – looking up at the sky at the apex of each windup – was also a hit. His signature court was the screwball, which he was taught by teammate Bobby Castillo in 1979.
During his warm-up exercises, ABBA’s hit “Fernando” blared through the speakers.
Sandy Koufax (center left) is pictured next to a standing Valenzuela in LA on Friday
The Mexican native was credited with luring large numbers of Hispanic fans to Dodger Stadium, and they nicknamed him “El Toro” – the bull. He also proved to be a major attraction away from home.
His number joins previous honorees Pee Wee Reese, Lasorda, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Don Drysdale, and Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully and Jarrín .
Valenzuela and Gilliam are the only non-Hall of Famers among the Dodgers’ retired players.
Jarrín “helped me a lot early in my career talking to you guys,” Valenzuela said, referring to the translation the channel made for English-language media.
Alongside Lasorda and Jarrín, Valenzuela also praised Mike Brito, the scout who discovered the left-handed pitcher in Mexico, for boosting his career. Brito died last year at the age of 87.
Valenzuela was known for his distinctive wind-up costume, which he wore to gaze at the sky
Valenzuela also won the 1988 World Series with the Dodgers, as well as the Silver Slugger Awards in 1981 and 1983. He pitched for the team from 1980 to 1990, including a no-hitter on June 29, 1990. He retired in 1997.
Valenzuela has remained closely associated with the franchise. He is the color commentator on cable channel SportsNet LA’s Spanish-language broadcasts.
He remains one of the franchise’s all-time leaders in wins (141), strikeouts (1,759), innings pitched (2,348 2/3), starts (320), games complete (107), and shutouts (29).
Valenzuela became a naturalized US citizen in 2015.