The Dodgers made a historic move on Friday evening by retiring the No. 34 jersey worn by the legendary left-hander, Fernando Valenzuela. This decision breaks with tradition and pays tribute to one of the most beloved players in the team’s history. Speaking at the 40-minute ceremony before the game against the Colorado Rockies were Sen. Alex Padilla, retired Dodger broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, and Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten.
Since the Dodgers began retiring jerseys in 1972, all but one of the 11 jerseys before Valenzuela’s belonged to members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. The exception was Jim Gilliam, a longtime Dodgers infielder, outfielder, and coach, whose No. 19 was retired on October 10, 1978, just two days after his death from a massive brain hemorrhage at the age of 49.
Kasten had previously announced on February 4, at the team’s annual FanFest, that Valenzuela’s jersey would be retired. He acknowledged the remarkable support shown by fans, saying, “The citywide call to honor him is truly extraordinary. What he achieved during his playing career, both on and off the field, is exceptional. He captured the hearts of baseball fans everywhere and left an indelible impact on our fan base.”
No player has worn the No. 34 jersey for the Dodgers since Valenzuela’s departure during spring training in 1991. The decision to retire the number had been contemplated for several years, but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of the team’s promotional planning.
The constant demand from fans played a significant role in the decision. Kasten, who regularly walks through the stands, receives various comments from fans, but the question of retiring Valenzuela’s jersey is the one he hears most frequently. This overwhelming support convinced the team that it was the right thing to do, even if it went against the established policy.
The Dodgers’ first jersey retirement ceremony took place on June 4, 1972, when the jerseys of Roy Campanella (No. 39), Sandy Koufax (No. 32), and Jackie Robinson (No. 42) were retired. Gilliam’s jersey followed in 1978, and Duke Snider’s No. 4 jersey was retired in 1980. Manager Walter Alston’s No. 24 jersey was retired in 1983, and Pee Wee Reese’s No. 1 and Don Drysdale’s No. 53 were both retired in 1984. Tommy Lasorda’s No. 2 jersey was retired in 1997, Don Sutton’s No. 20 in 1998, and Gil Hodges’ No. 14 in 2022.
Valenzuela expressed his gratitude, stating, “To be part of a group that includes so many legends is a great honor. But this is also for the fans who have supported me throughout my career. They will be thrilled to know that my No. 34 is being retired.” Valenzuela was also honored at Los Angeles City Hall, where the City Council declared the day as Fernando Valenzuela Day in Los Angeles.
Valenzuela became a phenomenon known as “Fernandomania” in 1981 when he achieved remarkable success as a 20-year-old rookie. He went 8-0 with five shutouts, seven complete games, and an impressive 0.50 ERA in his first eight starts. Valenzuela remains the only player in history to win both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season. The Dodgers acquired Valenzuela’s contract from Leones de Yucatan of the Mexican League in 1979, and he quickly became a standout player, leading the Texas League in strikeouts in 1980.
Throughout his career, Valenzuela showcased his talent and received numerous accolades. He was a six-time National League All-Star and led the league in strikeouts in 1981 and victories in 1986. Valenzuela also won Silver Slugger Awards in 1981 and 1983 for his exceptional hitting abilities as a pitcher. In 1990, he pitched a no-hitter, marking his final season with the Dodgers.
Although Valenzuela was released by the Dodgers in 1991, he continued to play in the majors until 1997 and in Mexico’s winter league until 2006. Since 2003, he has been a Dodger broadcaster. Valenzuela’s contributions to the team are evident in his rankings among Dodger greats. He ranks sixth in strikeouts, seventh in shutouts and games started, ninth in victories, and eighth in innings pitched.
Valenzuela received further recognition in 2003 when he was inducted into the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame, and in 2013 when he was inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame. The Mexican League retired his No. 34 in 2019, and in the same year, Valenzuela was inducted into the Legends of Dodger Baseball.
Jaime Jarrín, who called Dodger games from 1959 to 2022, emphasized Valenzuela’s impact on the sport, saying, “No player has created more baseball fans, and Dodger fans, than Fernando. His presence made people fall in love with baseball, especially within the Mexican community.” The retirement of Valenzuela’s jersey is a fitting tribute to a player who captured the hearts of fans and left an enduring legacy in Los Angeles and beyond.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
