LOS ANGELES — Whether it’s the group from Chavez Ravine or the Bronx Bombers, the teams preparing to play one of the most highly-anticipated World Series in recent memory know an important person will be missing.
Days before the 2024 World Series was set to begin at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela died at the age of 63. Even though it was known he was stepping away from his broadcasting duties with the team to focus on his health, the news came as a shock to many getting ready to play for the title.
“It was shocking news. I really had no idea,” Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes told USA TODAY Sports at Thursday’s media availability. “It was really sad to hear that he passed away.”
Barnes is one of several players who have donned a Dodgers jersey over the past few decades that not only got to see Valenzuela within the organization, but truly understand the impact he had.
How much did he mean? Dodgers manager Dave Roberts tried to express his love for Valenzuela in Spanish when asked if he could.
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“Fernando Valenzuela is my friend and family,” Roberts said in Spanish, referring to Valenzuela like an older brother. ‘An incredible player, a person that’s very important to me.”
It’s easy to understand what Valenzuela meant if you’re ingrained into the culture of Los Angeles. But it’s not just those from around here that know.
Yes, Barnes grew up in Southern California understanding who Valenzuela was and Roberts spent his youth in the state, but there are also players like third baseman Max Muncy from Texas that recognize the impact of the left-handed pitcher from Navojoa, Mexico.
“It’s really hard to state how big of an impact he had. You could almost say the majority of the fans that we have now are because of Fernando. He meant so much to this organization, so much to this city, so much to Mexico,” Muncy said. “It was truly an honor and blessing to know him over the years.”
Some players didn’t really grasp the influence Valenzuela had until recently. Pitcher Tyler Glasnow, a local kid, didn’t really know how big Valenzuela was until he was traded to the Dodgers prior to this season. He saw all the murals, all the jerseys in the stadium and how everyone reacted when Valenzuela walked into a room.
Reliever Blake Treinen said in the past 24 hours he learned of how dominant Valenzuela was in the 1981 season when Valenzuela started 8-0 in his first eight appearances, all of them complete games − five of which were shutouts. Valenzuela eventually became the first player to win the NL Cy Young and NL Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.
“Pretty insane,” Treinen put it.
You also don’t need to be a Dodger to understand Valenzuela’s impact and why Los Angeles is grieving.
Another Yankee with a unique experience is outfielder Alex Verdugo. A former Dodger, Verdugo also had Valenzuela as a coach for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Whether it was playing for Valenzuela’s home country or for the Dodgers, Verdugo said he had nothing but great things to say about their interactions.
“He was super humble, man, super humble. But like, had a presence too about him. He could take up a room if he wanted to, or he could just fit right in and you don’t even know he was there,” Verdugo said. ”That’s the coolest part; through all his success and everything that he was, he stayed humble, he stayed true to himself, and that’s amazing.”
There will be plenty of tributes for Valenzuela as the World Series begins. The Dodgers added a No. 34 patch to their uniforms and Valenzuela will be remembered prior to Game 1 and throughout Dodger Stadium. Anything that has his name, image or number has flowers next to it.
The stadium’s entrance has served as a memorial for the late pitcher with candles, flowers, pictures and – of course – the Mexican flag. Glasnow said it was special to see what was put together coming into the stadium.
People understand Valenzuela will forever be in the memory of the people that enter his home stadium.
“It’s just one person that we’re gonna keep talking about and keep on having his legacy live on,” Verdugo said.
He won’t be physically present when the Dodgers and Yankees play ball on Friday night, but there is belief Valenzuela will still keep an eye over his team.
“He’s a legend,” Yankees ace Gerrit Cole said. “It’s just sad he won’t be here for this series, but he’s probably got a great seat upstairs.”
