- Legendary Dodgers pitcher and broadcaster Valenzuela tragically passed away from liver cancer at the age of 63
- Valenzuela was hugely influential during the Dodgers 1981 World Series winning season, in which they defeated the Yankees in the Fall Classic
- ‘Fernandomania’ was a huge cultural happening in LA during Valenzuela’s incredible rookie season
The LA Dodgers may go into the incoming World Series against the New York Yankees without legendary pitcher and broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela lending his voice to the action, but they are ensuring his present is very much felt in a rematch of the 1981 Fall Classic.
It was the ’81 Series which would prove to be the culmination of an astonishing rookie season for the late Valenzuela, who became an instant sensation, enjoying a white hot start to his MLB career. Becoming the first rookie to ever start a Dodgers’ opening day game – being entrusted with the honour by then manager Tommy Lasorda – Fernando Valenzuela promptly shutout the Houston Astros 2-0 and began his ascent to superhero status.
His dream debut paved the way for ‘Fernandomania’, which caught fire with LA’s huge Latino community, who turned up in their thousands to witness Valenzuela help propel their beloved Dodgers towards the postseason. As the Dodgers’ PA system played Abba’s 1976 hit ‘Fernando’ whenever Valenzuela warmed up, the Mexican screwball master was on his way to becoming the first rookie to ever win both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.
Not only that, but Valenzuela helped inspire the Dodgers to their fifth World Series (first since 1965) against, who else, the New York Yankees. The same Yankees the Dodgers are set to do battle with over this year’s Fall Classic, beginning tomorrow (October 25), in a series former Dodgers pitcher Chase Utley predicted would be a likelihood for both franchises in a recent exclusive interview with Pubity.
Forty three years later and, although Valenzuela won’t be present physically for the 2024 World Series between two of the most decorated franchises in Major League Baseball history, his presence will still very much be felt.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Jorge Castillo shared a picture to X of a tribute the Dodgers had paid to Valenzuela in the press box – a framed picture of the man himself in front of a triumphant bouquet of blue and white flowers.
Not only this, but the Dodgers have confirmed that to honour Fernando Valenzuela’s memory, they will wear a uniform patch featuring their iconic pitcher during the World Series and throughout the 2025 season.
Valenzuela passed away earlier this week after a battle with liver cancer. It had originally been announced, on October 1, that he had been hospitalised with an undiagnosed illness and would be absent from the broadcast booth for the remainder of the season to concentrate on his health. He passed away three weeks later, on October 22.
(h/t Sports Illustrated)
