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Dodgers announce Fernando Valenzuela tribute for World Series and 2025 season
Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela will be at the forefront of everyone's minds when the World Series begins on Friday.
He'll also be on the Dodgers' sleeves, the team announced on Thursday.
The Dodgers social media team shared a photo of Los Angeles' World Series jersey, which will feature a prominent badge with Valenzuela's first name and his No. 34 jersey number.
The team also announced that it will honor Valenzuela by wearing the patch during the 2025 season.
In memory of our hero Fernando Valenzuela, the Dodgers will wear this uniform patch during the World Series and throughout the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/7HozGMf2Tr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 24, 2024
Valenzuela died on Tuesday at the age of 63.
In 1981, he became the first — and, as of 2024, the only — player to earn Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards in the same season. He capped his historic campaign with a win in Game 3 of the World Series at home against the Yankees.
On Tuesday, an empty Dodgers Stadium glowed Dodger blue in tribute to Valenzuela with "Fernandomania Por Siempre" ("Fernandomania Forever") written on the digital marquee surrounding the field.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred earlier this week confirmed the league planned to honor Valenzuela during the World Series at Dodgers Stadium, per ESPN.
34 forever. pic.twitter.com/Sp0vw6D6VI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 23, 2024
With all the tributes pouring in, the Dodgers will try to add one more with the franchise's eighth World Series title. They won their most recent trip to the Fall Classic against the Tampa Bay Rays during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Valenzuela was a member of the Dodgers' last championship team during a full 162-game season in 1988, although a shoulder injury prevented him from starting during the playoffs.
Per ESPN Bet, the Dodgers (-125) are favored to win the 2024 Fall Classic against the Yankees.
Game 1 will take place on Friday in Los Angeles with first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET.
More must-reads:
- Dodgers-Yankees World Series performance capped Fernando Valenzuela's iconic 1981 season
- Why Yankees-Dodgers is exactly the World Series that MLB wanted
- The 'Most multi-HR games by MLB team' quiz
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