The Los Angeles Dodgers retired Fernando Valenzuela’s number 34 jersey Friday night before hosting the Colorado Rockies, 42 years after “Fernandomania” rose to power in Southern California.
His number was cut into the grass in midfield and stenciled in white on the back of the mound.
“It’s very emotional,” Valenzuela said before the ceremony to a packed room of English- and Spanish-language media. “I never expected it.”
Retired pitcher and current broadcaster Orel Hershiser and retired Dodger Manny Mota lifted a blue cloth to reveal Valenzuela’s number high above the field.
Fans, some wearing sombreros, cheered, along with Valenzuela’s children and grandchildren. He held Mrs. Linda’s hand as they walked down the left field line to watch the reveal.
Retired pitcher Fernando Valenzuela (center) is congratulated by his longtime catcher Mike Scioscia
Los Angeles Dodgers fans pose for photos in front of a Fernando Valenzuela sign
Valenzuela being interviewed by his manager Tommy Lasorda before a Dodgers vs. Cubs game in 1981
Earlier, a mariachi band erupted in music and song as Valenzuela was introduced and walked from the dugout to the stage set up in front of the hill.
Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax, Valenzuela’s catcher Mike Scioscia, Hall of Fame announcer Jaime Jarrín and current Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías were among those in attendance. Koufax, 87, did not address the audience.
Valenzuela and Scioscia appeared on a Topps baseball chart labeling them future stars. After his playing career, Scioscia led the Los Angeles Angels.
“It seems like yesterday when this little chubby 20 year old boy started opening day for us and set the whole world on fire,” Scioscia told the crowd. “What you couldn’t see was the ice water in his veins. He proved how spectacular and magical everything was.’
After the ceremony, Valenzuela threw a first pitch to Scioscia, who wobbled the catch and buried his face in his glove.
The Rockies watched from the railing in the visitor’s dugout as some of the Dodgers warmed up on the field and a few watched from the dugout.
August 11 is Fernando Valenzuela Day in LA
Earlier in the day, 62-year-old Valenzuela was in downtown Los Angeles, where the city council had declared “Fernando Valenzuela Day.”
The activities were part of a weekend-long celebration of one of the most enduring and popular players in Dodgers history. Valenzuela was the theme of the postgame drone show.
On Saturday the team is giving away its bobblehead and on Sunday the giveaway is a replica of Valenzuela’s 1981 World Series ring.
Valenzuela became a sensation that year. In addition to winning the World Series, he won Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award, the first player to do so in the same year.
He was named the Opening Day starter that year by manager Tommy Lasorda after Jerry Reuss was injured the day before. He responded with a 2-0 victory over Houston and started the season with an 8-0 record, including five shutouts, and an 0.50 ERA.
“Tommy Lasorda came up to me and said, ‘Are you ready to pitch tomorrow?’ I said, “I’m ready,” Valenzuela recalls. “That’s what I was looking for, the chance to show what I can do.”
Valenzuela’s throwing move – looking up 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.
During his warm-up, ABBA’s hit ‘Fernando’ blared from the speakers.
Sandy Koufax (center left) is pictured next to a standing Valenzuela in LA on Friday
The native of Mexico was credited with attracting large numbers of Latino fans to Dodger Stadium and they nicknamed him ‘El Toro’ – the bull. He also proved tremendous appeal on the road.
His song joins previous honorees Pee Wee Reese, Lasorda, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson, Don Drysdale and Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully and Jarrín.
Valenzuela and Gilliam are the only non-Hall of Famers among the Dodgers’ retired numbers.
Jarrín “helped me a lot at the beginning of my career by talking to you guys,” said Valenzuela, referring to the broadcaster’s translation for English-language media.
Besides Lasorda and Jarrín, Valenzuela also credited Mike Brito, the scout who found the lefthanded pitcher in Mexico, for boosting his career. Brito died last year at the age of 87.
Valenzuela was known for his signature windup in which he looked up at the sky
Valenzuela also won the 1988 World Series with the Dodgers, as well as Silver Slugger awards in 1981 and ’83. He pitched for the team from 1980-90, including a no-hitter on June 29, 1990. He retired in 1997.
Valenzuela has stayed close to the franchise. He is the color commentator of the Spanish-language broadcasts for his SportsNet LA cable channel.
He remains one of the franchise leaders in wins (141), strikeouts (1,759), innings pitched (2,348 2/3), starts (320), complete games (107), and shutouts (29).
Valenzuela became a naturalized US citizen in 2015.