The state of California has declared Nov. 1 as “Fernando Valenzuela Day,” which coincides with the late Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher’s birthday.
Valenzuela passed away last October at the age 63, just three days before the Dodgers faced the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.
California State Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva introduced the measure to highlight the positive impact Valenzuela had on the Latino and Hispanic community.
The Los Angeles City Council previously proclaimed Aug. 11 as “Fernando Valenzuela Day” for the city in 2023.
That was part of a celebratory weekend in which Valenzuela had his No. 34 officially retired by the Dodgers and joined the Dodger Stadium Ring of Honor.
Valenzuela made his MLB debut in 1980 after signing with the Dodgers out of Mexico. The following season saw him earn an All-Star Game selection, as well as win the National League Cy Young Award, Rookie of the Year honors and a Silver Slugger.
Valenzuela’s remarkable rookie season was capped off by helping the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series.
Valenzuela spent 11 of his 17 MLB seasons with the Dodgers. He retired after the 1997 season and went on to become a Spanish-language broadcaster with the organization.
Fernando Valenzuela tributes
The Dodgers honored Valenzuela before Game 1 of the 2024 World Series with a tribute video and special mariachi performance. They are also wearing a “Fernando 34” patch on their jersey this season.
Famed artist Jonas Never painted a mural of Valenzuela in Elysian Valley that went up shortly after his death. The left-hander was also featured on another painting with Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Kirk Gibson.
Another mural of the Dodgers legend can be found on the wall of La Selva en Relajo sports bar in Mexico.
“It continues to live strong,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said earlier this year of Valenzuela’s legacy. “Everywhere you go in Los Angeles, you see signs and murals of Fernando. We think about him often.
“His impact for the city, the country, Southern California, Mexico, will live forever. It will be great to celebrate him. I think members of his family will be here tonight, which will be nice.”
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