Dodgers plan to honor Fernando Valenzuela during World Series
When the World Series commences, the Dodgers will pay homage to a recently lost legend.
Los Angeles will honor team icon Fernando Valenzuela during the Fall Classic — and during the 2025 season — after he died earlier this week at 63.
The Dodgers will wear a jersey patch with a black circle rimmed with Dodgers blue that features Valenzuela’s name and No. 34.
A mural featuring the 1981 National League Cy Young was also added to one of the sides of Dodger Stadium, while a wreath was placed on his plaque at the ballpark.
The iconic pitcher first broke onto the scene as a rookie in the early 1980s, inspiring the phenomenon known as “Fernandomania.”
Valenzuela, who was nicknamed “El Toro” by Los Angeles’ fans, spent 11 years with the organization and amassed a 141-116 record.
Between 1980 — his age 19 season — and 1990, he earned numerous accolades, including six All-Star Game selections, one Gold Glove and two Silver Slugger Awards.
He is most fondly remembered for his incredible rookie season in 1981, during which Valenzuela amassed a 13-7 record with a 2.48 ERA.
He led Major League Baseball with 180 strikeouts and the National League with 192 1/3 innings pitched.
His efforts were recognized with the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year Awards, making him the first pitcher to ever earn both designations in the same season.
Valenzuela’s final start of the 1981 campaign came in Game 3 of the World Series, and against the Yankees, the 20-year-old threw a 149-pitch complete game to beat the Bronx Bombers.
Forty-three years later, the two teams will meet again, with the entirety of the Dodgers players and coaches honoring the great lefty.
