When the Dodgers brought the World Series trophy home Wednesday night, completing a 5-0 comeback in Game 5 to beat the New York Yankees on their home field, some fans were thinking of a World Series 43 years ago.
The 1981 World Series was when then-rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela brought the championship title to L.A. in the Dodgers’ previous clash against the Yankees.
With the team back in L.A. today with the trophy, fans are honoring the legendary Dodgers pitcher, who passed away last week just before this Series kicked off.
Outside Dodgers Stadium, an impromptu shrine honoring Valenzuela with flowers, Dodgers jerseys, Mexican flags and candles has continued to grow. For some fans who stopped by, like L.A. native Isabella Lee of Boyle Heights, Valenzuela’s passing could be equated to a family loss.
“He was such a beloved person, especially for the Latino community,” Lee said. “My family, my mom and my aunt, went to the World Series game where Fernando pitched, and he just means a lot to our family and to our community.”
Valenzuela’s passing Oct. 22 brought a bittersweetness to this year’s Series for fans.
“I think losing him at this time was really hard and it was really sad,” Lee said, “and did bring us together to want to do it for Fernando, the same way we wanted to do it for Vin (Scully). But now we’re able to do it for both of them.”
Other fans, like Edwin Arzate, feel like they’ve lost a hometown hero.
“Fernando Valenzuela means a lot,” Arzate said. “He played where I was born at Mexicali, Baja California. He played for the Águilas de Mexicali, so ever since, I’m a big fan of Fernando Valenzuela. Now that he passed away, you know, it’s a lot of hard feelings. I don’t know, it’s hard. It’s hard knowing that I grew up wanting to be Fernando Valenzuela. [He’s] something you want to be.”
It was as much a family loss for the Dodgers as it was for many of Valenzuela’s fans. The team made sure to honor Valenzuela’s legacy during the World Series with a “Fernando” patch on their jerseys and his iconic Number 34 painted in Dodger Blue on the pitcher’s mound.
While the honors reinforced his legacy nationwide, Valenzuela’s presence continues to shine beyond the series.
Now that the the Dodgers have clinched the Series, they’re scheduled to celebrate with a parade through Downtown L.A. this Friday, Nov. 1 -- which also happens to be Valenzuela’s birthday. He would have turned 64.
Arzate said the Dodgers simply had to win for Valenzuela.
“We have to win this for Fernando Valenzuela,” he said. “We have to honor Fernando Valenzuela. It’s a lot of motivation. It’s Fernando Valenzuela. We had to win this for him.”
Crystal Camba, another Dodgers fan and L.A. native, said that feeling Valenzuela’s presence during the World Series win reminds her not to take anything for granted at the ballpark.
“It’s really, really heartwarming and it’s a reminder to keep hope, and not to also take for granted the smallest memories, ever,” she said. “Everything, every bit matters. Every pitch matters, every catch matters, every base matters, every hot dog matters, every Michelada matters.”
Memorials remain standing outside of Dodger Stadium, and by new mural commemorating the Dodger legend in Boyle Heights.