Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield went 0-for-3 in five at bats against Fernando Valenzuela in Game 3 of the 1981 World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Valenzuela and the Dodgers won the game en route to a World Series title.

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FILE – Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throws the ceremonial first pitch during the MLB All-Star baseball game, July 19, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)

The star pitcher was on the minds of the Dodgers and several other baseball figures, including Winfield, Friday night before Game 1 as the two teams entered their final World Series game. Valenzuela died earlier this week and the Dodgers honored him with a No. 34 patch on their World Series jerseys.

Winfield recalled Valenzuela’s impact on baseball in an interview with Fox News Digital.

“Fernando was a great player,” Winfield said. “He didn’t look like a baseball player, but he sure was a great presence on the field. We faced him in the World Series in 1981. We had never seen him before. He was a rookie, he ends up being a Cy Young Award winner, All-Star and all that.

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman wears a patch on his jersey in memory of former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela after Game 1 of the baseball World Series against the New York Yankees, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

“He recently passed away. People here in LA feel really bad about him because he was an icon. He was a legend. He was part of the community. He will be greatly missed.”

The 63-year-old died in a Los Angeles hospital. He was reportedly struggling with an illness.

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Artist Louie Palestino works on a mural of former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in North Hollywood, California. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

“He is one of the most influential Dodgers ever and belongs on the Mount Rushmore of franchise heroes,” said Stan Kasten, Dodgers team president and CEO. “He strengthened the fanbase with the 1981 Fernandomania season and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a presenter. He left us all too soon.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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