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Dodgers honor star before World Series

Vaseline October 26, 2024

LOS ANGELES – Before Game 1 of the World Series, a moving ceremony for late Dodgers pitching legend Fernando Valenzuela took place, featuring the flag at half-staff, Valenzuela’s highlight video board, a musical tribute and a moment of silence.

Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager, who played on the Dodgers’ World Series championship teams in 1988 and 1981, respectively, wore Valenzuela jerseys to the mound for the ceremonial first pitch. But instead of throwing the pitch, they merely placed the ball on the pitcher’s mound as Valenzuela’s wife Linda and their four children cried quietly.

“I think if there are two people who have probably had the most impact on this organization,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “I think you would say Jackie Robinson and Fernando Valenzuela. No disrespect to anyone else, but when you talk about the current fan base, there are a lot of people who are here and support the Dodgers south of the border because of Fernando.

“That was obvious when I was younger, very young, but his legacy still lives on. He was a friend of mine. And so not to see him in the (broadcast) booth or to say hello is sad for me and his family.

“But Fernando was a gentleman, a great Dodger, and what a humble man.”

Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo, who also played for the Dodgers, said Valenzuela’s death was a hard blow to his Mexican-American family. They had met Valenzuela when Verdugo played for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

“He obviously meant a lot to our family, with the Mexican heritage and the ties in that respect. Being with him on the Dodgers and Team Mexico allowed us to spend a lot of time together. We had several conversations, not just to talk about baseball, but about life. These are things where he has impacted the lives of my family, my mother, my father and my life.

“We’re just saddened by it, but you know, at the end of the day, we want to celebrate and highlight all the positives that he brought to the community.”

Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said he will cherish his memories of Valenzuela growing up in San Diego and admiring the Dodgers star.

“Fernando was always great to me,” Clark said. “Growing up in San Diego, I obviously had the opportunity to see him a lot, and while I was a player, I had the opportunity to meet him and talk to him as a former player. I’m grateful for it. It was hard to see his passing.”