Dodgers to retire Fernando Valenzuela's No. 34 this summer

The Los Angeles Dodgers will retire the No. 34 jersey of pitcher Fernando Valenzuela throughout a three-day celebration this summer time.

Valenzuela was a part of two World Collection champion groups, profitable the 1981 Rookie of the 12 months and Cy Younger awards. He was a six-time All-Star throughout his 11 seasons in Los Angeles from 1980-90.

He might be honored from Aug. 11-13 when the Dodgers host Colorado.

“The weekend will begin on Friday, Aug. 11, which is when Valenzuela’s No. 34 might be unveiled at Dodger Stadium,” introduced the MLB. “There might be a collector’s version bobblehead giveaway on Saturday, Aug. 12, and a reproduction Valenzuela 1981 World Collection ring might be handed out on Sunday, Aug. 13.”

Valenzuela will be part of Pee Wee Reese, Tommy Lasorda, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Jim Gilliam, Don Sutton, Walter Alston, Sandy Koufax, Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Don Drysdale with retired numbers.

“To be part of the group that features so many legends is a good honor,” Valenzuela stated. “But in addition for the followers, the assist they’ve given me as a participant and dealing for the Dodgers, that is additionally for them.”

Valenzuela was born on November 1, 1960, in Navoja, Sonora, Mexico and was the youngest of seven kids. He was taught baseball by his older brothers and as an newbie pitcher, drew skilled scouts when he was found in 1977 by Los Angeles scout Corito Varona whereas enjoying within the Mexican League, in response to Britannica.

He turned one of the vital influential and embellished gamers in MLB historical past.

“His rise throughout the ’81 season has been well-documented and it’s one of the vital profitable stretches of any pitcher in Main League historical past. It was the delivery of “Fernandomania,” a phenomenon that’s celebrated to this date,” officers stated.

“It’s going to be a really, very particular night time,” stated Jaime Jarrín, a longtime Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster who retired following the 2022 season. “The folks love him. It’s superb. He left the Dodgers nearly 40 years in the past and nonetheless, when he’s right here and the folks really feel that his identify goes to be talked about ultimately, they flip to the sales space instantly and provides him a big applause. Folks love him. It’s unbelievable, and his charisma may be very, very, very particular.”