Emotional moment Fernando Valenzuela’s grieving family join Dodgers tribute ahead of World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers remembered the late team legend Fernando Valenzuela ahead of their World Series clash against the New York Yankees on Friday night.

Valenzuela previously passed away at the age of 63, just days before his beloved team returned to the World Series to face their familiar foe.

The Dodgers announced the news of his death late Tuesday night, without providing a cause of death.

Valenzuela’s grieving family gathered on the field after the team’s induction as the Dodgers paid tribute to their legend ahead of the World Series curtain call.

His wife Linda, sons Fernando Jr. and Ricardo, and daughters Maria and Linda stood together at home plate as their late husband and father were emotionally honored by his former team.

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Valenzuela passed away on Tuesday at the age of 63

His wife Linda (left), sons Fernando Jr. (center) and Ricardo (right), and daughters Maria and Linda stood together on the home plate side prior to Game 1 of the World Series Friday

In honor of the pitcher, the customary first pitch was not thrown, but instead the ball was placed on number 34 – Valenzuela’s jersey number – painted on the mound by former Dodgers MVPs Orel Hershiser and Steve Yeager.

The Los Angeles announcer then asked the fans gathered at Dodger Stadium to respect a moment of silence for Valenzuela or, if they preferred, to repeat one of his infamous gestures.

They encouraged fans to “look to the sky, like Fernando would do every time he threw.”

During the tribute, Valenzuela’s widow, Linda, was heartbroken trying to hold back tears as her son, Fernando Jr., comforted her.

Valenzuela went from obscurity to superstardom in 1981 during a period known as “Fernandomania,” when he became the only player to win a Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season.

Valenzuela played in the major leagues from 1980 until his retirement in 1997.

Through his first eight starts of the 1981 season, Valenzuela allowed just four earned runs and achieved a complete game victory every time he took the mound.

He was named Opening Day by manager Tommy Lasorda in 1981 after Jerry Reuss was injured the day before. He responded with a 2–0 win over Houston to start the season with an 8–0 record, including five shutouts, and a 0.50 earned run average.

Valenzuela went from obscurity to superstardom during ‘Fernandomania’ in mid-1981

A ball was placed near the number 34 painted on the mound, in lieu of a first pitch

A blue and white wreath was hung from a plaque of the former Dodgers pitcher

“Tommy Lasorda came up to me and said, ‘Are you ready to pitch tomorrow?’ I said, ‘I’m ready,'” Valenzuela recalled. ‘That’s what I was looking for, the opportunity to show what I can do.’

Valenzuela remained close to the franchise after his retirement. Until earlier this month, he was a color commentator on the Spanish-language broadcasts of cable channel SportsNet LA.

The Dodgers had announced that Valenzuela was hopeful of returning to the fold next season as he stepped aside to focus on his health.

The native of Etchohuaquila, Mexico, is credited with attracting large numbers of Latino fans to Dodger Stadium and they nicknamed him “El Toro” – the bull. He also proved to have great appeal on the road.

Valenzuela’s pitching motion – looking skyward at the top of each windup – was also a hit. His signature throw was the screwball, which was taught to him in 1979 by teammate Bobby Castillo.

Fans honored the six-time All-Star by wearing his jersey when the Dodgers took on the Yankees

Days after his death, a mural featuring the MLB icon was installed at Dodger Stadium

During his warm-up, ABBA’s hit ‘Fernando’ blared from the speakers.

Valenzuela spent the first eleven of his seventeen years in the majors with Los Angeles. He helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series and won the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year after going 13-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 25 starts.

The six-time All-Star won at least 10 games and made at least 25 starts in nine seasons with the Dodgers. He went 21-11 with a 3.14 ERA in 1986, throwing 20 complete games and finishing second to Mike Scott in voting for the NL Cy Young Award.

Valenzuela played in his final big league game against St. Louis in July 1997. He finished his playing career with a 173-153 record and a 3.54 ERA in 453 games, including 424 starts.