The Los Angeles Dodgers will wear a patch honoring the late Fernando Valenzuela in the 2024 World Series and the 2025 season, the team announced Thursday.
Valenzuela, who died Tuesday at age 63, won the NL Cy Young Award and led the Dodgers to a World Series championship in 1981. Born in Mexico, Valenzuela had a sensational season that sparked ‘Fernandomania’ in Los Angeles as the club won its first title since 1965. The left-hander would pitch 17 major league seasons and was a six-time All-Star.
The patch features Valenzuela’s No. 34 – retired by the club in 2023 – and will debut in Game 1 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium on Friday.
VALENZUELA: Dodgers legend may be gone, but Fernandomania will live forever
LOS ANGELES: Valenzuela built Chavez Ravine legacy after shameful displacement of residents
‘He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,’ said Stan Kasten, Dodgers CEO and president, in a statement. ‘He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster. He has left us all too soon.’
All things Dodgers: Latest Los Angeles Dodgers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.