The Los Angeles Dodgers inducted Fernando Valenzuela into the Legends of Dodger Baseball, holding a ceremony on the field at Dodger Stadium before Saturday night’s game against the Miami Marlins.
Valenzuela, who played 11 seasons with the Dodgers and was a fan favorite, was part of the inaugural class for the Legends of Dodger Baseball that also includes Steve Garvey and Don Newcombe, who had respective ceremonies earlier this season.
The trio now has plaques hung up at Dodger Stadium to honor everything they did in their time with the organization.
Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA hosted the ceremony, while Valenzuela’s family, the scout who discovered him out of Mexico, Mike Brito, his broadcast partner, Jaime Jarrin, and his former teammate, Mike Scioscia, were all in attendance.
Jarrin and Scioscia both spoke and had some kind words for Valenzuela before the plaque was unveiled.
Valenzuela made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 1980, but he really burst onto the scene in 1981 when he tossed 11 complete games and eight shutouts en route to not only winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award, but also the Cy Young in what became deemed ‘Fernandomania.’ He was also a big reason the Dodgers won the World Series that year.
Valenzuela was named an All-Star six times in his years with the Dodgers, winning 141 games while pitching to a 3.31 ERA. While his No. 34 jersey was never officially retired because he is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, no player has worn it since his career ended.
Even after his playing days were over, Valenzuela has remained very involved in the Dodgers organization as a Spanish-language broadcaster along with Jarrin.
It is hard to envision anyone that embodies Dodger Baseball more than Valenzuela, and the organization and fans did an outstanding job of honoring him on Saturday night.
